-----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, FlJGdgC3UpVlXNho3gxyGb0VbUb8y2KBFsfEl6xyyaWRNxX4K9mr7Vi+kYoi36MF gTM4DKQ/bi1lYk3CPlhoJg== 0000950123-10-030890.txt : 20100331 0000950123-10-030890.hdr.sgml : 20100331 20100331163908 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000950123-10-030890 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 10-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 6 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20091231 FILED AS OF DATE: 20100331 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20100331 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NOCOPI TECHNOLOGIES INC/MD/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000888981 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: GAMES, TOYS & CHILDREN'S VEHICLES (NO DOLLS & BICYCLES) [3944] IRS NUMBER: 870406496 STATE OF INCORPORATION: MD FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 10-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-20333 FILM NUMBER: 10719627 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 9C PORTLAND ROAD CITY: WEST CONSHOHOCKEN STATE: PA ZIP: 19428-2716 BUSINESS PHONE: 6108349600 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 9C PORTLAND ROAD CITY: WEST CONSHOHOCKEN STATE: PA ZIP: 19428-2716 10-K 1 c98501e10vk.htm FORM 10-K Form 10-K
Table of Contents

 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
 
(Mark One)
     
þ   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009
or
     
o   TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from ________ to _________
Commission file number 000-20333
Nocopi Technologies, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
     
Maryland   87-0406496
     
State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
     
9C Portland Road, West Conshohocken, PA   19428
     
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)
Registrant’s telephone number (610) 834-9600
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
     
Title of each class   Name of each exchange on which registered
     
None   Not Applicable
Securities registered under section 12(g) of the Act:
Common Stock $.01 par value
(Title of class)
(Title of class)
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act
o Yes þ No
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act
o Yes þ No
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. þ Yes No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). o Yes No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12-b-2 of the Exchange Act.
             
Large accelerated filer o   Accelerated filer o   Non-accelerated filer o   Smaller reporting company þ
        (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)    
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act) Yes o No þ
State the aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, or the average bid and asked price of such common equity, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter. $4,426,000 at June 30, 2009 closing price of $.09.
(APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE REGISTRANTS)
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. 54,972,296 shares of common stock, $.01 par value at March 15, 2010.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
None
 
 

 

 


 

NOCOPI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
         
Item No.   Page No.  
 
       
Part I
 
       
    1  
 
       
    7  
 
       
    7  
 
       
    7  
 
       
    7  
 
       
Part II
 
       
    8  
 
       
    9  
 
       
    9  
 
       
    16  
 
       
    16  
 
       
    16  
 
       
    16  
 
       
    17  
Part III
 
       
    17  
 
       
    19  
 
       
    21  
 
       
    22  
 
       
    23  
 
       
Part IV
 
       
    23  
 
       
    24  
 
       
 Exhibit 10.19
 Exhibit 10.20
 Exhibit 31.1
 Exhibit 31.2
 Exhibit 32.1

 

 


Table of Contents

PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Background
Nocopi Technologies, Inc. (hereinafter “Nocopi”, “Registrant” or the “Company”) is a Maryland corporation organized in 1983 to exploit a technology developed by its founders for impeding the reproduction of documents on office copiers. In its early stages of development, Nocopi’s business consisted primarily of selling copy resistant paper to protect corporate documents and information. More recently, Registrant has increasingly focused on developing and marketing technologies for document and product authentication which can reduce losses caused by fraudulent document reproduction or by product counterfeiting and/or diversion and, since 2003, has focused on developing specialty reactive inks that it believes have applications in the large educational and toy market. Registrant expanded its loss prevention market activities during 2009 by entering into licensing arrangements with several printers and distributors who serve this market and refocused its sales and marketing efforts to utilize licensed printers and distributors to market its technologies to major retailers. Registrant derives revenues by licensing its technologies, both to end-users and to value-added resellers, and by selling products incorporating its technologies and technical support services.
While Registrant experienced a significant decline in its financial condition from the late 1990’s through 2006, in 2007, primarily as a result of licenses signed in 2006 and early 2007 with Elmer’s Products, Inc. (“Elmer’s”), a privately held industry leader in adhesives, arts and crafts and educational products, and two of Elmer’s operating companies, Giddy Up and Color Loco, it recorded net income and positive cash flow from operations for the first time in a number of years. During 2008, primarily as a result of a significant decline in ink sales to Elmer’s and its licensed printers as they used previously purchased inventories for 2008 production, Registrant recorded a net loss of $271,700 and had negative operating cash flow of $175,200. During 2009, Registrant’s revenues experienced a further decline due primarily to the ongoing global recession. As a result, Registrant’s net loss increased in 2009 to $389,400 and had negative operating cash flow $312,000. At December 31, 2009, Registrant had negative working capital of $210,300. The cash requirements in 2009 were funded by utilizing available cash reserves at the beginning of the year, the borrowing of the entire $100,000 available under Registrant’s line of credit and the sale of 2,686,459 shares of Registrant’s common stock for $162,000. During the periods of adverse liquidity in the past, Registrant relied on capital investment and various short-term loans to provide liquidity needed to avoid a cessation of its operations. In 2008, Registrant’s negative cash flow was funded primarily with cash generated during 2007.
Registrant is currently attempting to raise additional capital, in the form of debt, equity or both to support its working capital requirements as well as to provide funding for other business opportunities. There are no assurances that Registrant will be able to attract such additional capital.
In late 2003, Registrant developed and began to market a new technology, named Rub-it & Color, which consists of a system of removable dyes in a large variety of colors that can be activated through rubbing with a fingernail or a firm object. Registrant believed this technology had applications in children’s activity products such as a coloring book without crayons and in educational testing review products. Registrant demonstrated this technology to several potential licensees, participated in trade shows including, from 2004 to 2010, the American International Toy Fair in New York City receiving several industry awards. In April 2006, Registrant signed multi-year license agreements with Giddy Up and Color Loco, two major established and leading children’s books publishers with proven track records of innovation and major channels of distribution and has subsequently amended these agreements to expand the licenses. In October 2006, both Giddy Up and Color Loco became wholly owned by privately held Elmer’s, an industry leader in adhesives, arts and crafts and educational products. Products incorporating Registrant’s technologies, including Giddy Up’s Rub-n-Color™ activity books and kits have been on sale in leading retail outlets since January 2007 and have received coverage in the press and on television. In late 2009, the Company entered into a three year license agreement, containing guaranteed minimum annual royalties, commencing January 2010 with Elmer’s covering the products sold by its Giddy Up and Color Loco divisions under the previous license agreements. In February 2007, Registrant entered into a multi-year license agreement with Elmer’s whereby Registrant’s technologies have been incorporated into products sold under the Elmer’s brand including its Go Paint!™ line of children’s products. Retail sales of these products commenced in the second quarter of 2007. In March 2010, Registrant was informed by Elmer’s that Elmer’s is discontinuing the Go Paint!™ product line, ceasing ink purchases related to the Go Paint!™ products and selling off its remaining Go Paint!™ inventory. In 2009, Registrant experienced a significant decline in both royalties and ink sales related to its license with Elmer’s for the technology used in Elmer’s Go Paint!™ products. However, Management of the Company believes that the relationship with Elmer’s through its Giddy Up and Color Loco divisions continues to offer significant opportunities to increase revenues in the entertainment and toy products markets and improve the Company’s overall financial position. The Company has identified prospective licensees in the entertainment and toy products market for the technology licensed to Elmer’s for its Go Paint!™ products and believes that a new license can be negotiated on terms favorable to Registrant. There can be no assurances that such a license will be concluded and, if it is, that it will generate significant additional operating revenues.

 

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Entertainment and Toy Technologies and Products
As mentioned above, in late 2003, after the re-employment of two former members of the Registrant’s technical staff, a new technology was developed that consists of removable dyes that can be produced in a variety of colors and can be revealed by rubbing with a fingernail or other firm object such as a plastic pen cap. This technology has been named Rub-it & Color. Registrant believes that this new technology does not compromise the confidentiality of its security and authentication technologies. Applications include children’s activity products such as a coloring book without crayons or a restaurant place mat, educational instruction books and testing review manuals. Registrant has obtained certifications of non-toxicity from the Consumer Products Services, Inc. and the American Society for Testing and Materials Laboratories. In February 2004, Registrant inaugurated its marketing efforts for this new technology at the American International Toy Fair in New York City and attended the Toy Fair again each February from 2005 through 2009. During 2004, Registrant received awards from Creative Child Magazine and Spectrum Magazine for its Rub-it & Color Activity Book. As a result of its participation and marketing activities, Registrant identified a number of potential licensees in the children’s and educational markets. In April 2006, Registrant signed multi-year license agreements with Giddy Up and Color Loco, two major established and leading children’s books publishers with proven track records of innovation and major channels of distribution. Registrant has subsequently amended these agreements to expand the licenses. In October 2006, both Giddy Up and Color Loco became wholly owned by privately held Elmer’s. Products incorporating Registrant’s technologies, including Giddy Up’s Rub-n-Color™ activity books and kits have been on sale in leading retail outlets since January 2007 and have received coverage in the press and on television. In late 2009, the Company entered into a three year license agreement, containing guaranteed minimum annual royalties, commencing January 2010 with Elmer’s covering the products sold by its Giddy Up and Color Loco divisions under the previous license agreements. In February 2007, Registrant entered into a multi-year license agreement with Elmer’s whereby Registrant’s technologies are incorporated into products sold under the Elmer’s brand including its Go Paint!™ line of children’s products. In March 2007, Registrant received initial ink orders from Elmer’s and Elmer’s began actively marketing products incorporating Registrant’s technologies in the second quarter of 2007. Revenues derived directly from Elmer’s, including Giddy Up and Color Loco, and from its third party printers, accounted for approximately 56% of Registrant’s 2009 revenues, approximately 35% from Elmer’s and its operating companies and approximately 21% from its third party printers. In early 2008 Registrant joined with Elmer’s in a transaction whereby Elmer’s acquired an interest in a patent related to reactive ink formulation held by a third party. In March 2010, Registrant was informed by Elmer’s that Elmer’s is discontinuing the Go Paint!™ product line, ceasing ink purchases related to the Go Paint!™ products and selling off its remaining Go Paint!™ inventory. In 2009, Registrant experienced a significant decline in both royalties and ink sales related to its license with Elmer’s for the technology used in Elmer’s Go Paint!™ products. In 2009, Registrant’s revenues related to the Go Paint!™ product line were approximately 7% of Registrant’s total revenues. The Company has identified prospective licensees in the entertainment and toy products market for the technology licensed to Elmer’s for its Go Paint!™ products and believes that a new license can be negotiated on terms favorable to Registrant. There can be no assurances that such a license will be concluded and, if it is, that it will generate significant additional operating revenues. There can be no assurances that the Registrant’s available resources, even with additional investment, if obtained, for marketing and further technical development of this product line will be sufficient to increase the Company’s revenues.
In September 2008, Registrant signed a multi-year license agreement with privately-held Family Hospitality LLC to sell or resell its Classy Kid branded products to the restaurant industry using Registrant’s Rub-it & Color technology in children’s menus and placemats for restaurant use and butcher paper for use on tables. Placemats incorporating Registrant’s technologies are sold directly by Family Hospitality and through distributors of Family Hospitality including the Hoffmaster Group, a leading distributor of products to the restaurant industry. There can be no assurances that the marketing efforts of Registrant’s licensee will generate significant additional revenues for the Registrant.

 

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Anti-Counterfeiting and Anti-Diversion Technologies and Products
Continuing developments in copying and printing technologies have made it ever easier to counterfeit a wide variety of documents. Lottery tickets, gift certificates, event and transportation tickets, travelers’ checks and the like are all susceptible to counterfeiting, and Registrant believes that losses from such counterfeiting have increased substantially with improvements in the copying and printing technologies. Product counterfeiting has long caused losses to manufacturers of brand name products, and Registrant believes these losses have also increased as the counterfeiting of labeling and packaging has become easier.
Registrant’s proprietary document authentication technologies are useful to businesses desiring to authenticate a wide variety of printed materials and products. These include a technology with the ability to print invisibly on certain areas of a document. The invisible printing can be activated or revealed by use of a special highlighter pen when authentication is required. This technology is marketed under the trademark COPIMARK. Other variations of the COPIMARK technology involve multiple color responses from a common pen, visible marks of one color that turn another color with the pen or visible and invisible marks that turn into a multicolored image. A related technology is Nocopi’s RUB & REVEAL system, which permits the invisible printing of an authenticating symbol or code that can be revealed by rubbing a fingernail over the printed area. These technologies provide users with the ability to authenticate documents and detect counterfeit documents. Applications include the authentication of documents having intrinsic value, such as merchandise receipts, checks, travelers’ checks, gift certificates and event tickets, and the authentication of product labeling and packaging. When applied to product labels and packaging, such technologies can be used to detect counterfeit products whose labels and packaging would not contain the authenticating marks invisibly printed on the packaging or labels of the legitimate product, as well as to combat product diversion (i.e. sale of legitimate products through unauthorized distribution channels or in unauthorized markets). Registrant’s related invisible inkjet technology permits manufacturers and distributors to track the movement of products from production to ultimate consumption when coupled with proprietary software. Management believes that the “track and trace” capability provided by this technology should be attractive to brand owners and marketers. Registrant continues to pursue opportunities for its patented anti-counterfeiting and anti-diversion technologies as a potential solution to counterfeit and diverted pharmaceutical products. While this market incentive has not developed revenues to date, Registrants continues to pursue opportunities in this market. There are no assurances that initiatives currently underway will result in additional revenues in the future.
In early 2009, Registrant formed a new sales and marketing division, named the Loss Prevention Division, to focus on sales of products to prevent and fight retail receipt and document fraud, engaging two sales consultants with previous experience in the retail loss prevention market. Registrant participated in this market segment for a number of years through a licensing arrangement with Computer Imaging Supplies (CIS), a division of Nashua Corporation, which gave CIS exclusive rights to sell products incorporating Registrant’s technologies to businesses in this specific market. That license, which expired in December 2008, was renewed but on a non-exclusive basis, thus allowing Registrant to enter this market to sell its security products directly to loss prevention departments within retail businesses and chains and/or to make non-exclusive licenses available to other printers who serve this market segment. The non-exclusive license with Nashua Corporation has been renewed for 2010. During 2009, in addition to Nashua, Registrant established licensing relationships with three printers and distributors in the United States and Canada who provide loss prevention products to retailers and others. Based on experience gained in this market through trade shows and direct contact with prospective retail clients, Registrant determined that these large retail businesses prefer to source these products directly from large printers and distributors. In the second half of 2009, Registrant refocused its sales and marketing efforts to utilizing licensed printers and distributors to market its technologies to major retailers and discontinued its direct relationship with the two loss prevention consultants. Registrant believes that cost savings will be realized while active participation in the loss prevention market continues through its licensees and its internal sales and technical resources. In addition to products incorporating its RUB & REVEAL technology, Registrant has developed and is introducing a new patent pending ink-based technology, named Multi-Mark Security Ink, which Registrant believes will provide high levels of security and ease of authentication on a large variety of paper and film-based substrates. There can be no assurances that Registrant’s new strategy in the retail loss prevention market will result in significant additional revenues and cash flow for Registrant.

 

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Document Security Products
Registrant continues to offer a line of burgundy colored papers that deter photocopying and transmission by facsimile. This colored paper inhibits photocopier reproduction at the cost of loss of easy legibility to the reader. Registrant currently offers its copy resistant papers in three grades, each balancing improved copy resistance against diminished legibility. Registrant also sells user defined, pre-printed forms on which selected areas are colored to inhibit reproduction. An example is a doctor’s prescription form with the signature area protected. This product line is called SELECTIVE NOCOPI. Registrant also offers several inks that impede photocopying by color copiers. This technology is called COLORBLOC.
Registrant, in addition to marketing its own technologies and products, acts as a distributor for a line of Pantograph security paper. This patented product, complementary to the Registrant’s line of security paper, produces a message, such as “unauthorized copy”, when a copy of an original document that was printed or typed on the Pantograph paper, is reproduced on a photocopier. This product line is called COPI-ALERT.
In 2008, Registrant introduced a new product, Secure Rub Rx, a specially designed prescription paper base stock that incorporates all three tamper resistant characteristics mandated by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services for Medicaid prescriptions beginning in October 2008 including certain tamper resistant requirements that became effective in April 2008. There are no assurances that Registrant will obtain significant additional revenues from its investment in developing and marketing this new product.
The following table illustrates the approximate percentage of Registrant’s revenues accounted for by each type of its products for each of the two last fiscal years:
                 
    Year Ended December 31  
Product Type   2009     2008  
 
               
Entertainment and Toy Technologies and Products
    58 %     63 %
Anti-Counterfeiting and Anti-Diversion Technologies and Products
    37 %     31 %
Document Security Products
    5 %     6 %
Marketing
The marketing approach of Registrant is to offer sufficient flexibility in its products and technologies so as to provide cost effective solutions to a wide variety of counterfeiting, diversion and copier fraud problems. As a technology company, Registrant generates revenues primarily by collecting license fees from market-specific manufacturers that incorporate Registrant’s technologies into their manufacturing processes and products and, in certain cases, sales of Registrant’s inks to these licensees and their designated manufacturers. Registrant also licenses its technologies directly to end-users.
Registrant has identified a number of major markets for its technologies and products, including security printers, manufacturers of labels, packaging materials and specialty paper products and distributors of brand name products. Within each market, key potential users have been identified, and several have been licensed. Within North America, sales efforts include direct selling by Company personnel to create end user demand and selling through licensee sales forces and sales agents with support from company personnel. Registrant has determined that technical sales supported by its personnel is of great importance to increasing its licensees’ sales of products incorporating Registrant’s technologies and, therefore, seeks to maintain, to the extent permitted by its limited resources, its commitment to providing such support.
In recent years, Registrant’s management has refocused the Company’s marketing efforts somewhat in view of the limited resources available to the Company for marketing and the need to improve the Registrant’s cash flow. Current marketing efforts are focused on Registrant’s more mature technologies that can be utilized by customers with relatively fewer development efforts.

 

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As continued improvements in color copier and desktop publishing technology make counterfeiting and fraud opportunities less expensive and more available, Registrant intends, to the extent feasible, to maintain an interactive product development and enhancement program with the combined efforts of marketing, applications engineering and research and development. Registrant’s objective is to concentrate its efforts on developing market-ready products with the most beneficial ratios of market potential to development time and cost.
Except in Europe, Registrant markets its technologies through its own employees and through independent sales representatives. In the third quarter of 2007, Registrant engaged a sales consultant to assist in marketing the Company’s existing line of security papers, inks and ink-jet products as well as Registrant’s newer security products including Secure Rub Rx. The relationship with this consultant led to the Registrant’s increased focus on marketing its security inks to printers and distributors who serve the retail loss prevention market. In Europe, its security technologies are marketed by Contrast Technologies (formerly Euro-Nocopi, S.A.), a former affiliate of Registrant which holds certain European marketing rights with respect to those technologies.
Registrant is presently considering a number of marketing strategies for its “Rub-it & Color” product line including licensing and direct sales through product retailers in addition to the markets presently being served by current licensees.
Registrant continues its efforts to improve the marketing of its technologies. In 2008, the Registrant developed and implemented a completely new web site and online store developed in conjunction with Minerva Design, a creative marketing and communications agency associated with a number of well known brands. During 2009, Registrant finalized a strategy to market its proprietary security inks to the retail loss prevention market, appointing three new printers and distributors in the United States and Canada. Additionally, Registrant continues its marketing efforts to former and potential customers in the anti-counterfeiting and anti-diversion marketplace and to prospective licensees in the entertainment and toy products market through its internal sales resources.
Major Customers
During 2009, Registrant made sales or obtained revenues equal to 10% or more of Registrant’s 2009 total revenues from three non-affiliated customers who individually accounted for approximately 35%, 21% and 19%, respectively, of 2009 revenues of the Company.
Manufacturing
Registrant has a small facility for the manufacture of its security inks. Except for this facility, Registrant does not maintain manufacturing facilities. Registrant presently subcontracts the manufacture of its applications (mainly printing and coating) to third party manufacturers and expects to continue such subcontracting. Because some of the processes that Nocopi uses in its applications are based on relatively common manufacturing technologies, there appears to be no technical or economic reason for Registrant to invest capital in its own manufacturing facilities.
Registrant has established a quality control program that currently entails laboratory analysis of developed technologies. When warranted, Registrant’s specially trained technicians travel to third party production facilities to install equipment, train client staff and monitor the manufacturing process.
Patents
Nocopi has received various patents and/or has patents pending in the United States, Canada, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, France, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, Luxembourg, and Liechtenstein. There can be no assurance, however, that such protection will be obtained on patents pending. Registrant currently has obtained patent protection on substantially all of its security inks including the RUB & REVEAL system and has patents pending on the recently marketed Rub-it & Color technology and new Multi-Mark Security Ink. Patents on Registrant’s line of burgundy colored papers, presently a minor portion of Registrant’s product line, have expired.

 

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When a new product or process is developed, the developer may seek to preserve for itself the economic benefit of the product or process by applying for a patent in each jurisdiction in which the product or process is likely to be exploited. Generally speaking, in order for a patent to be granted, the product or process must be new and be inventively different from what has been previously patented or otherwise known anywhere in the world. Patents generally have a duration of twenty years from the date of application depending on the jurisdiction concerned, after which time any person is free to exploit the product or process covered by a patent. A person who is the owner of a patent has, within the jurisdiction in which the patent is granted, the exclusive right, either directly or through licensees, to prevent any person from infringing on the patent.
The granting of a patent does not prevent a third party from seeking a judicial determination that the patent is invalid. Such challenges to the validity of a patent are not uncommon and are occasionally successful. There can be no assurance that a challenge will not be filed to one or more of Registrant’s patents and that, if filed, such challenge(s) will not be successful.
In the United States and some other countries, patent applications are automatically published at a specified time after filing.
Nocopi is required to pay annuities from time to time on patents to keep them in force and makes an annual evaluation of which patents it continues to maintain. In Europe, the territory of Contrast Technologies (formerly Euro-Nocopi, S.A.), annuities for European patents are paid by Contrast.
Research and Development
Nocopi has been involved in research and development since its inception. Although Registrant’s financial condition had forced it to reduce funding for research and development in recent years, it intends to continue its research and development activities in three areas, to the extent feasible. First, Registrant will seek to continue to refine its present family of products. Second, Registrant will seek to develop specific customer applications. Finally, Registrant will seek to expand its technology into new areas of implementation. There can be no assurances that Registrant will continue to have funds available to maintain its research and development activities at current or increased levels.
During the years ended December 31, 2009 and 2008, Nocopi expended approximately $165,900 and $166,900 respectively, on research and development.
Competition
In the area of document and product authentication and serialization, Registrant is aware of other technologies, both covert and overt surface marking techniques, requiring decoding implements or analytical methods to reveal the relevant information. These technologies are offered by other companies for the same anti-counterfeiting and anti-diversion purposes the Registrant markets its covert technologies. These include, among others, biological DNA codes, microtaggants, thermochronic, UV and infrared inks as well as encryption, 2D symbology and laser engraving. Registrant believes its patented and proprietary technologies provide a unique and cost-effective solution to the problem of counterfeiting and gray marketing in the document and product authentication markets it has traditionally sought to exploit.
Registrant is not aware of any competitors that market paper which functions in the same way as Nocopi security papers, although management is aware of a limited number of competitors which are attempting different approaches to the same problems which Registrant’s products address. Registrant is aware of a Japanese company that has developed a film overlay that is advertised as providing protection from photocopying. Registrant has examined the film overlay and believes that it has a limited number of applications. Nocopi security paper is also considerably less expensive than the film overlay.
Other indirect competitors are marketing products utilizing the hologram and copy void technologies. The hologram, which has been incorporated into credit cards to foil counterfeiting, is considerably more costly than Registrant’s technology. Copy void is a security device that has been developed to indicate whether a document has been photocopied. Registrant also markets a product that has similar features to the copy void technology.

 

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The entertainment and toy products markets include numerous potential competitors who have significantly greater financial resources and presence in these markets than Registrant.
The loss prevention market includes numerous potential competitors, including large publicly traded companies such as NCR Corporation and regional paper converters, many of whom have greater financial resources and presence in these markets than Registrant.
Registrant currently has limited resources and competes with businesses that have greater financial resources than Registrant. There can be no assurance that, in addition, other businesses with greater resources than Registrant will not enter Registrant’s markets and compete successfully with Registrant.
Contrast Technologies (formerly Euro-Nocopi, S.A.)
Contrast Technologies (formerly Euro-Nocopi, S.A.) is a former affiliate of Registrant which, since June 2003, has held a perpetual royalty-free license to exploit certain of Registrant’s technologies in Europe.
Employees
At March 15, 2010, Registrant had four full-time and three part-time employees.
Financial Information about Foreign and Domestic Operations
Registrant conducts its operations solely in the United States; however, it does have licensees in Europe and Asia. These licensees accounted for approximately 21% of Registrant’s gross revenues in 2009 and approximately 19% in 2008. Certain information concerning Registrant’s foreign and domestic operations is contained in Note 11 to Registrant’s Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Not required for a smaller reporting company.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Registrant’s corporate headquarters, research and ink production facilities are located at 9C Portland Road, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428. Its telephone number is (610) 834-9600. These premises consist of approximately 5,000 square feet of space in a multi-tenant building leased by the Registrant from an unaffiliated third party pursuant to a lease expiring in March 2013. Current monthly rent under this lease is $3,333 escalating three percent on each anniversary date of the lease. Registrant is also responsible for its pro-rata share of the operating costs of the building. Registrant incurred leasehold improvement expenditures of approximately $72,500 through December 31, 2009 and believes that additional leasehold improvement expenditures will not be significant. Registrant believes that this space will be adequate for its current needs and that additional space will be available as needed.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Registrant is not aware of any pending litigation (other than ordinary routine litigation incidental to its business where, in management’s view, the amount involved is less than 10% of Registrant’s current assets) to which Registrant is or may be a party, or to which any of its properties is or may be subject, nor is it aware of any pending or contemplated proceedings against it by any governmental authority. Registrant knows of no material legal proceedings pending or threatened, or judgments entered against, any director or officer of Registrant in his capacity as such.

 

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PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Registrant’s common stock is traded on the over-the-counter market and quoted on the NASD over-the-counter Bulletin Board under the symbol “NNUP”. The table below presents the range of high and low bid quotations of Registrant’s common stock by calendar quarter for the last two full fiscal years and for a recent date, as reported by Pink OTC Markets, Inc. The quotations represent prices between dealers and do not include retail markup, markdown, or commissions; hence, such quotations do not represent actual transactions.
                 
    High Bid     Low Bid  
 
               
January 1, 2008 to March 31, 2008
  $ .61     $ .32  
April 1, 2008 to June 30, 2008
  $ .47     $ .23  
July 1, 2008 to September 30, 2008
  $ .35     $ .15  
October 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008
  $ .16     $ .07  
 
               
January 1, 2009 to March 31, 2009
  $ .15     $ .05  
April 1, 2009 to June 30, 2009
  $ .09     $ .03  
July 1, 2009 to September 30, 2009
  $ .20     $ .04  
October 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009
  $ .16     $ .04  
 
               
January 1, 2010 to March 15, 2010
  $ .12     $ .05  
As of March 15, 2010, 54,972,296 shares of Registrant’s common stock were outstanding. The number of holders of record of Registrant’s common stock was approximately 600. However, Registrant estimates that it has a significantly greater number of common stockholders because a number of shares of Registrant’s common stock are held of record by broker-dealers for their customers in street name. In addition to the 54,972,296 shares of common stock which are outstanding, Registrant, at March 15, 2010, has reserved for the issuance of 1,372,000 shares of its common stock which underlie options and warrants to purchase common stock of the Registrant.
The Company did not pay dividends in 2009 or 2008 and does not anticipate paying any such dividends in the foreseeable future. Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be at the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors and will be dependent upon the Company’s results of operations, financial condition, contractual restrictions and other factors deemed relevant by the Board of Directors.
Information required with respect to Equity Compensation Plans in this Item 5 is included in Item 12 on page 22 of this report on Form 10-K.
Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities
On May 27, 2009, the Company sold 250,000 shares of its Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, to an individual investor (who was acquainted with a member of the Company’s Board of Directors) for $16,000, or $0.064 per share; on June 11, 2009, the Company sold 390,625 shares of its Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, to an individual investor (who was acquainted with a member of the Company’s Board of Directors) for $25,000, or $0.064 per share; on July 24, 2009, the Company sold 625,000 shares of its Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, to an individual investor (who was acquainted with a member of the Company’s Board of Directors) for $35,000, or $0.056 per share; on October 2, 2009, the Company sold 260,417 shares of its Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, to an individual investor (who was acquainted with a member of the Company’s Board of Directors) for $25,000, or $0.096 per share and 260,417 shares of its common stock, par value $.01 per share, to a member of the Company’s Board of Directors for $25,000, or $0.096 per share; on December 21, 2009, the Company sold 400,000 shares of its Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, to an individual investor (who was acquainted with a member of the Company’s Board of Directors) for $16,000, or $0.04 per share; on December 28, 2009, the Company sold an aggregate of 500,000 shares of its common stock, par value $.01 per share, to two individual investors (who were acquainted with a member of the Company’s Board of Directors for $20,000, or $0.04 per share. On April 18, 2008, a warrant holder exercised warrants to acquire 10,000 shares of common stock of the Company at $.22 per share. All shares were sold in private transactions exempt from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act. No underwriters were involved in these transactions or received any commissions or other compensation. Proceeds of the sales were used to fund the Company’s working capital requirements.

 

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Issuer Repurchases of Equity Securities
None
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Not required for a smaller reporting company.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Forward-Looking Information
This Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, regarding, among other things, anticipated improvements in operations, the Company’s plans, earnings, cash flow and expense estimates, strategies and prospects, both business and financial. All statements other than statements of current or historical fact contained in this report are forward-looking statements. The words “believe,’’ “expect,’’ “anticipate,’’ “should,’’ “plan,’’ “will,’’ “may,’’ “intend,’’ “estimate,’’ “potential,’’ “continue’’ and similar expressions, as they relate to the Company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements.
The Company has based these forward-looking statements largely on its current expectations and projections about future events, financial trends, market opportunities, competition, and the adequacy of the Company’s available cash resources, which the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. This Form 10-K also contains forward-looking statements attributed to third parties. All such statements can be affected by inaccurate assumptions, including, without limitation, with respect to risks, uncertainties, anticipated operating efficiencies, new business prospects and the rate of expense increases. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the forward-looking statements in this report may not occur and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. For these reasons, and because of the uncertainty relating to the current financial crisis in today’s economic environment and the potential reduction in demand for the Company’s products, you should not consider this information to be a guarantee by the Company or any other person that its objectives and plans will be achieved. When you consider these forward-looking statements, you should keep in mind the “Risk Factors” and other cautionary statements set forth in this Item 7 and elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The Company’s forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
The following discussion and analysis of the Company’s financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes, and keeping in mind this cautionary statement regarding forward-looking information.
Results of Operations
The Company’s revenues are derived from royalties paid by licensees of the Company’s technologies, fees for the provision of technical services to licensees and from the direct sale of (i) products incorporating the Company’s technologies, such as inks, security paper and pressure sensitive labels, and (ii) equipment used to support the application of the Company’s technologies, such as ink-jet printing systems. Royalties consist of guaranteed minimum royalties payable by the Company’s licensees in certain cases and additional royalties which typically vary with the licensee’s sales or production of products incorporating the licensed technology. Service fees and sales revenues vary directly with the number of units of service or product provided.

 

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The Company recognizes revenue on its lines of business as follows:
a) License fees and royalties are recognized when the license term begins. Upon inception of the license term, revenue is recognized in a manner consistent with the nature of the transaction and the earnings process, which generally is ratably over the license term;
b) Product sales are recognized upon shipment of products, when the price is fixed or determinable and collectibility is reasonably assured; and
c) Fees for technical services are recognized when (i) the service has been rendered; (ii) an arrangement exists; (iii) the price is fixed or determinable based upon a per diem or hourly rate; and (iv) collectibility is reasonably assured.
The Company believes that, as fixed cost reductions beyond those it has achieved in recent years may not be achievable, its operating results are substantially dependent on revenue levels. Because revenues derived from licenses and royalties carry a much higher gross profit margin than other revenues, operating results are also substantially affected by changes in revenue mix.
Both the absolute amounts of the Company’s revenues and the mix among the various sources of revenue are subject to substantial fluctuation. The Company has a relatively small number of substantial customers rather than a large number of small customers. Accordingly, changes in the revenue received from a significant customer can have a substantial effect on the Company’s total revenue and on its revenue mix and overall financial performance. Such changes may result from a customer’s product development delays, engineering changes, changes in product marketing strategies, production requirements and the like. In addition, certain customers have, from time to time, sought to renegotiate certain provisions of their license agreements and, when the Company agrees to revise such terms, revenues from the customer may be affected.
Revenues for 2009 were $668,100, a decrease of approximately 29%, or $273,200, from $941,300 in 2008. Licenses, royalties and fees decreased in 2009 by $213,500, or approximately 36%, to $377,900 from $591,400 in 2008. The decrease in licenses, royalties and fees is due primarily to lower licensing revenues derived from three licensees in the entertainment and toy products business and lower royalties from a licensee in the retail receipt and document fraud market resulting from the conversion of an exclusive license to a non-exclusive license at a lower royalty rate at the beginning of 2009 offset in part by revenues from four licenses signed in late 2008 and 2009. The conversion to a non-exclusive license with this licensee in the retail receipt and document fraud market enables the Company to expand its presence in this market through the licensing of other printers who serve this market segment. During 2009, the Company licensed three printers and distributors who sell security receipt products. Product and other sales decreased by $59,700, or approximately 17% to $290,200 in 2009 from $349,900 in 2008. The lower level of ink sales in the 2009 compared to 2008 is due primarily to lower ink requirements of the third party printers of the Company’s major licensee in the entertainment and toy products business related to the licensees’ declines in sales during the current period of economic decline. Ink orders from the licensed printer of its other two licensees in the entertainment and toy products business were approximately $31,900 lower in 2009 compared to 2008. Additionally, sales of the Company’s security paper declined by approximately $19,500 in 2009 compared to 2008. The Company derived $389,900 or approximately 58% of total revenues, from licensees in the entertainment and toy products business in 2009 compared to $598,200 or approximately 63% of total revenues, in 2008. The Company’s licensees in the entertainment and toy products market continue to develop new products for this market and improve their current offerings; however, their sales will be affected by economic conditions that influence this market segment and the economy as a whole. Revenues that the Company derives from these licensees will be similarly affected. There can be no assurances that the marketing and product development activities of licensees in the entertainment and toy products market will produce increased revenues for the Company in future periods, nor can the timing of any potential revenue increases be predicted, particularly given the uncertain economic conditions currently being experienced worldwide.

 

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Gross profit decreased to $342,500 or approximately 51% of revenues in 2009 from $598,200 or approximately 64% of revenues in 2008. Licenses, royalties and fees have historically carried a higher gross profit than product sales, which generally consist of supplies or other manufactured products that incorporate the Company’s technologies or equipment used to support the application of its technologies. These items (except for inks which are manufactured by the Company) are generally purchased from third-party vendors and resold to the end-user or licensee and carry a lower gross profit than licenses, royalties and fees. The lower gross profit in 2009 compared to 2008 results primarily from lower gross revenues from licenses, royalties and fees and product and other sales in 2009 compared to 2008.
As the variable component of cost of revenues related to licenses, royalties and fees is a low percentage of these revenues and the fixed component is not substantial, period to period changes in revenues from licenses, royalties and fees can significantly affect both gross profit from licenses, royalties and fees as well as overall gross profit. Primarily due to the decrease in revenues from licenses, royalties and fees in 2009 compared to 2008, the gross profit from licenses, royalties and fees decreased to approximately 77% of revenues from licenses, royalties and fees in 2009 from approximately 85% in 2008.
The gross profit, expressed as a percentage of revenues, of product and other sales is dependent on both the overall sales volumes of product and other sales and on the mix of the specific goods produced and/or sold. As a result of lower sales of both inks and security paper products, the gross profit from product and other sales declined to approximately 18% of revenues from product and other sales in 2009 from approximately 28% in 2008.
Research and development expenses of $165,900 in 2009 were comparable to $166,900 in 2008.
Sales and marketing expenses increased to $259,200 in 2009 from $246,600 in 2008. The increase primarily reflects fees incurred with the engagement of two sales consultants who were involved with the Company’s retail loss prevention activities through the third quarter of 2009 and participation in four loss prevention trade shows during 2009, along with related travel expenses. These increases were offset in part by lower commission expense on the lower level of sales as well as sales travel expense in 2009 compared to 2008. Additionally, the Company’s web site costs declined in 2009 compared 2008. Since early 2009, the Company has established licensing relationships with three printers and distributors who provide loss prevention products to retailers and others. The Company intends to utilize licensees, supported by currently employed personnel, to market its retail loss prevention technologies and, during the third quarter of 2009, discontinued its direct relationship with the two loss prevention consultants. Management of the Company believes that cost savings will be realized while active participation in the loss prevention market continues through its licensees and its internal sales and technical resources.
General and administrative expenses decreased to $372,400 in 2009 from $547,000 in 2008. The decrease in 2009 compared to 2008 is due primarily to: a) the non-recurrence of the Company’s one-time contribution in 2008 of $40,000 to a licensee of the Company under an agreement whereby the licensee acquired an interest in a patent held by a third party and the Company received, among other things, certain assurances regarding its continuing ability to manufacture and sell products to this licensee; b) $19,900 in expenses recorded in 2009 in connection with the issuance of 325,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock in February 2009 to employees, an officer and others compared to $121,700 in expenses recorded in 2008 in connection with the issuance of 500,000 options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock to members of the Company’s Board of Directors in April 2008; c) no patent acquisition and maintenance expenses in 2009; and d) lower insurance expense in 2009 compared to 2008 related to favorable policy renewals offset in part by higher compensation expense due to the inception in June 2008 of an employment agreement with the Company’s Chief Executive Officer.
Other income (expenses) includes, in 2009, the reversal of $69,100 of accounts payable related to invoices received from 2001 through 2003 from a business for consulting services that the Company, with legal counsel, has determined to be no longer statutorily payable as the statute of limitations to bring a claim has expired. Other income (expenses) included, in 2008, the reversal of $91,000 of accounts payable and accrued expenses that the Company, with legal counsel, determined to be no longer statutorily payable as the statute of limitations to bring a claim had expired. Additionally, the Company incurred interest expense in 2009 on funds borrowed under its line of credit. There was no interest expense in 2008 as there were no loans outstanding during that period.

 

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The net loss of $389,400 in 2009 compared to the net loss of $271,700 in 2008 results primarily from a lower gross profit on the lower level of revenues in 2009 compared to 2008, higher compensation expense as well as consulting fees, business show and travel expense related to the Company’s retail loss prevention activities and lower income related to the reversal of accounts payable that are no longer statutorily payable offset in part by the non-recurrence of a one time transaction with a licensee, lower commissions and other sales related expenses, lower stock option compensation expense and lower patent related costs.
Management of the Company does not believe that inflation and changing prices have had a significant effect on its revenues and results of operations during the years ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
Plan of Operation, Liquidity and Capital Resources
The Company’s cash and cash equivalents decreased to $37,200 at December 31, 2009 from $87,200 at December 31, 2008. During 2009, the Company received $162,000 from the sale of 2,686,459 shares of its common stock, borrowed $100,000 from a bank under its line of credit and used $312,000 to fund operations.
While the Company has added new licensees in the entertainment and toy market beginning in 2006 and has obtained significant increases in revenues from licenses, royalties and product sales from these licensees and their third party printers through the end of 2009, its working capital requirements have increased primarily in support of inventory and receivables related to these revenues. In 2009, the Company’s revenues declined significantly as a result of declines in licensing revenues from its principal licensees in the entertainment and toy products business and incurred expenditures related to marketing activities related to a new division with the intention of selling the Company’s security products directly to loss prevention departments within retail businesses and chains and to license other printers who serve this market segment. The Company, in the third quarter of 2009, modified these objectives whereby participation in this market will be through licensed printers and distributors who serve this market segment. Primarily resulting from these two factors, the Company recorded a net loss of $389,400 in the year ended December 31, 2009 and had negative operating cash flow of $312,000 during that period. At December 31, 2009, the Company had negative working capital of $210,300 and stockholders’ deficiency of $195,100. For the full year of 2008, the Company had a net loss of $271,700 and had negative operating cash flow of $175,200 during the year. At December 31, 2008, the Company had negative working capital of $11,900 and $12,400 in stockholders’ equity. In 2008, the Company secured a $100,000 line of credit with a bank as an additional potential source of working capital. In 2009, the Company borrowed the entire $100,000 available under the line of credit to fund its operating activities. The Company is presently required to pay interest only on borrowings under the line of credit. There can be no assurances that the bank will continue to make the line of credit available in the future.
Management of the Company believes that it will need to obtain additional capital in the immediate future to support its working capital requirements associated with its existing revenue base and to fund operating losses that it believes will continue through 2010 related to the uncertainty associated with the worldwide economic downturn. There can be no assurances that the Company will be successful in obtaining sufficient additional capital, or if it does, that the additional capital will enable the Company to return its business to profitability and develop new revenue sources to have a material positive effect on the Company’s operations and cash flow. The Company believes that without additional investment, it may be forced to cease operations in the near future.
There can be no assurances that the Company will be successful in obtaining additional investment. There can be no assurances that revenues in future periods will be sustained at levels that will allow it to return to and maintain positive cash flow.
The Company continues to maintain a cost containment program including curtailment of discretionary research and development and sales and marketing expenses, where possible. In the second quarter of 2008, the Company finalized an employment agreement with its Chief Executive Officer.

 

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The Company’s plan of operation for the twelve months beginning with the date of this annual report consists of concentrating available human and financial resources to continue to capitalize on the specific business relationships it has developed in the entertainment and toy products business through ongoing development of applications for these licensees and to expand its licensee base in the entertainment and toy market. Additionally, the Company anticipates further revenue growth in the retail loss prevention market through increased royalties from and security ink sales to its historical and recently added licensees in this market. The Company believes that these opportunities can provide increases in revenues and will continue to increase the Company’s production and technical staff as necessary. The Company will also, subject to available financial resources, invest in capital equipment needed to support any ink production requirements beyond its current capacity. Additionally, the Company will pursue opportunities to market its current technologies in specific security and non-security markets. The Company plans to raise additional capital, in the form of debt, equity or both, to support its working capital requirements as well as to provide funding for its new and other business opportunities. There can be no assurances that the Company will be successful in raising additional capital, or that such additional capital, if obtained, will enable the Company to generate additional revenues and return to positive cash flow.
Risk Factors
The Company’s operating results, financial condition and stock price are subject to certain risks, some of which are beyond its control. These risks could cause the Company’s actual operating and financial results to differ materially from those expressed in its forward looking statements, including the risks described below and the risks identified in other documents which are filed and furnished with the SEC:
Dependency on Major Customer. The Company’s growth in revenues in 2008 and 2007 compared to earlier periods resulted primarily from relationships developed with a major customer and two of its operating companies. Revenues derived directly from this customer and indirectly, through its third party printers, equaled approximately 56% of the Company’s 2009 revenues. The Company also has substantial receivables from these businesses. While multi-year licenses exist with these organizations, the Company is dependent on its licensees to develop new products and markets that will generate increases in its licensing and product revenues. The inability of these licensees to maintain at least current levels of sales of products utilizing the Company’s technologies could adversely affect the Company’s operating results and cash flow. As the Company’s licensees are subject to, and have been adversely affected, by economic conditions related to the current economic conditions, the Company’s revenues may be adversely impacted. In late 2009, the Company entered into a three year license agreement, containing guaranteed minimum annual royalties, commencing January 2010 with this customer covering products sold under previous license agreements with two of the licensee’s operating divisions. The agreement contains renewal options. In March 2010, the Company was informed that this customer is discontinuing a product line incorporating technology licensed under a separate license agreement, ceasing ink purchases related to the these products and selling off its remaining inventory of these products. There can be no assurances that the recently renewed license will continue in force at the same, or more favorable, terms beyond its current termination date.
Possible Inability to Develop New Business. While the Company raised cash through additional capital investment and borrowings under its line of credit in 2009, it limited increases in its operating expenses. Management of the Company believes that any significant improvement in the Company’s cash flow must result from increases in revenues from traditional sources and from new revenue sources. The Company’s ability to develop new revenues may depend on the extent of both its marketing activities and its research and development activities, both of which are limited. There are no assurances that the resources that the Company can devote to marketing and to research and development will be sufficient to increase its revenues to levels that will enable it to return to and maintain positive operating cash flow in the future.
Inability to Obtain Raw Materials and Products for Resale. The Company’s adverse financial condition in previous periods required it to significantly defer payments due vendors who supply raw materials and other components of its security inks, security paper that it purchases for resale, professional and other services. As a result, the Company is required to pay cash in advance of shipment to certain of its suppliers. Delays in shipments to customers caused by the inability to obtain materials on a timely basis and the possibility that certain current vendors may permanently discontinue supplying the Company with needed products and services could impact the Company’s ability to service its customers, thereby adversely affecting its customer and licensee relationships. While receipt of funds through the sale of shares of the Company’s common stock and borrowings under the Company’s line of credit and from others have allowed the Company to continue in operation to the current date, there can be no assurances that the Company will be able to maintain its vendor relationships in an acceptable manner.

 

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Uneven Pattern of Quarterly and Annual Operating Results. The Company’s revenues, which are derived primarily from licensing, royalties and sales of products incorporating its technologies, are difficult to forecast due to the long sales cycle of its technologies, the potential for customer delay or deferral of implementation of its technologies, the size and timing of inception of individual license agreements, the success of its licensees and strategic partners in exploiting the market for the licensed products, modifications of customer budgets, and uneven patterns of royalty revenue and product orders. As the Company’s revenue base is not substantial, delays in finalizing license contracts, implementing the technology to initiate the revenue stream and customer ordering decisions can have a material adverse effect on the Company’s quarterly and annual revenue expectations and, as the Company’s operating expenses are substantially fixed, income expectations will be subject to a similar adverse outcome. As licensees for the entertainment and toy products markets are added, the unpredictability of the Company’s revenue stream may be further impacted.
Volatility of Stock Price. The market price for the Company’s common stock has historically experienced significant fluctuations and may continue to do so. From inception, with the exception of 2007, the Company operated at a loss and has not produced revenue levels traditionally associated with publicly traded companies. The Company’s common stock is not listed on a national or regional securities exchange and, consequently, it receives limited publicity regarding its business achievements and prospects. Additionally, securities analysts and traders do not extensively follow the Company’s stock and its stock is also thinly traded. The Company’s market price may be affected by announcements of new relationships or modifications to existing relationships. The stock prices of many developing public companies, particularly those with small capitalizations, have experienced wide fluctuations not necessarily related to operating performance. Such fluctuations may adversely affect the market price of the Company’s common stock.
Access to Capital. The Company anticipates that it will need to raise capital in the immediate future to fund its historical and new business operations. The current crisis in the financial markets has caused serious deterioration in the net worth and liquidity of many investors, including that of potential investors in the Company, and seriously eroded investor confidence in general thereby making it more difficult for the Company to raise capital. If the Company is unable to secure capital in the near future, in the form debt, equity or both, it may be forced to cease operations. There can be no assurances that the Company will be successful in obtaining additional investment in sufficient amounts to fund its ongoing business operations.
Intellectual Property. The Company relies on a combination of protections provided under applicable international patent, trademark and trade secret laws. The Company also relies on confidentiality, non-analysis and licensing agreements to establish and protect its rights in its proprietary technologies. While the Company actively attempts to protect these rights, its technologies could possibly be compromised through reverse engineering or other means. In addition, the Company’s ability to enforce its intellectual property rights through appropriate legal action had been and may continue to be limited by its adverse liquidity. There can be no assurances that the Company will be able to protect the basis of its technologies from discovery by unauthorized third parties or to preclude unauthorized persons from conducting activities that infringe on its rights. The Company’s adverse liquidity situation also impacts its ability to obtain patent protection on its intellectual property and to maintain protection on previously issued patents. The Company has been advised by its patent counsel that patent maintenance fees approximating $2,200 will be due during 2010. The Company has not yet made a decision on keeping this patent in force. There can be no assurances that the Company will be able to continue to prosecute new patents and maintain issued patents. As a result, the Company’s customer and licensee relationships could be adversely affected and the value of its technologies and intellectual property (including their value upon liquidation) could be substantially diminished.
Economic Conditions. The Company’s revenue is susceptible to changes in general economic conditions and the present global recession that is expected to continue at least into 2010. Decreasing consumer confidence, further slowdown in consumer spending or other downturn in the U.S. economy as a whole or in any geographic markets from which the Company derives revenue, could substantially impact its sales, liquidity and overall results of operations, as these factors may result in decreased demand for the Company’s products from its customers and licensees, and the Company’s ability to develop new customers and licensees. Due to the uncertainty surrounding the financial crisis, and the Company’s ability to predict the effect such conditions will have on its customers and licensees, the Company cannot predict the scope or magnitude of the negative effect that such an ongoing global financial crisis and economic slowdown will have on it.

 

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Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
FASB ASC 820-10 (formerly, SFAS No. 157) establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The changes to current practice resulting from the application of this standard relate to the definition of fair value, the methods used to measure fair value, and the expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007; however, it provides a one-year deferral of the effective date for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed in the financial statements at fair value at least annually. The Company adopted this standard for financial assets and financial liabilities and nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities disclosed or recognized at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually) as of January 1, 2008. The Company adopted the standard for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities on January 1, 2009. The adoption of this standard in each period did not have a material impact on its financial statements.
FASB ASC 805 (formerly, SFAS No. 141R) establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree and the goodwill acquired. This standard also establishes disclosure requirements to enable the evaluation of the nature and financial effects of the business combination. This standard was adopted by the Company beginning January 1, 2009 and will change the accounting for business combinations on a prospective basis, when applicable.
FASB ASC 825-10 (formerly, FSP FAS 107-1 and FSP APB 28-1) requires disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods. This standard is effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
FASB ASC 820-10 (formerly, FSP FAS 157-4) provides additional guidance for Fair Value Measurements when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability has significantly decreased. This standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on its financial statements.
FASB ASC 855-10 (formerly, SFAS No. 165) is effective for interim or annual financial periods ending after June 15, 2009 and establishes general standards of accounting and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued.
However, since the Company is a public entity, management is required to evaluate subsequent events through the date that financial statements are issued. This standard was adopted for its interim period ending June 30, 2009. Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date that the financial statements were issued.
In June 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-01, The FASB Accounting Standards Codification, which establishes the Codification as the source of authoritative GAAP recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. This standard is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The adoption of this standard changes the referencing of financial standards.
As of December 31, 2009, the FASB has issued Accounting Standards Updates (ASU) through No. 2009-17. None of the ASUs have had an impact on the Company’s financial statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
As of December 31, 2009, there are no recently issued accounting standards not yet adopted which would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
The Company does not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

 

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not required for a smaller reporting company.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
For information required with respect to this Item 8, see index to Financial Statements and Schedules on page F-1 of this report on Form 10-K.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide reasonable assurance that material information required to be included in its periodic SEC reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the relevant SEC rules and forms. The Company has carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-15. Based upon that evaluation, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded, as of the end of the period covered by this report, that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures are effective.
Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Internal control over financial reporting is a process to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Internal control over financial reporting includes maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the Company, provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, that receipts and expenditures of the Company are being made only with management authorization and provide reasonable assurance that unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of Company assets that could have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements would be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements in the Company’s financial statements on a timely basis.
Management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in “Internal Control-Integrated Framework.” Based on this assessment, management believes that, as of December 31, 2009, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective.
This annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to temporary rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the Company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.

 

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Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting during the fourth quarter of 2009 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal controls over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The directors and officers of the Company, their ages, present positions with the Company, and a summary of their business experience are set forth below.
Michael A. Feinstein, M.D., 63, Chairman of the Board of Directors since December 1999 and Nocopi’s Chief Executive Officer since February 2000, has been a practicing physician in Philadelphia for more than thirty years, serving for more than twenty-five years as the President of a group medical practice including three physicians. He is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology and of the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. He received his B.A. from LaSalle University and his M.D. from Jefferson Medical College. He has represented Nocopi in numerous licensing negotiations, governmental meetings and capital raises. The Board of Directors believes that Dr. Feinstein’s considerable personal experience as a business owner and investor in publicly traded businesses makes him well suited to serve as a member of Nocopi Technologies’ Board of Directors.
W. Ward Carey, 72, a director since January 2010, has been an independent consultant since 2002. Prior to 2002, Mr. Carey was Senior Vice President at UBS Paine Webber where he was in charge of retail sales. Previously, he was employed by the Bessemer Trust Co. as Executive Vice President and also as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Tucker Anthony and R.L. Day. Mr. Carey is a graduate of Iona College and completed coursework at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and at the New York University Stern School of Business. Mr. Carey formerly was a director of the Growth Stock Outlook Trust, the first closed-end listed fund, and of Cobra Golf. The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Carey’s wide range of corporate finance and corporate development experience including forty-five years on Wall Street makes him well suited to serve as a member of Nocopi Technologies’ Board of Directors.
William P. Curtis, Jr., 48, a director since November 2008 is a Partner at Porter & Curtis, L.L.C, of Media, Pennsylvania, an insurance brokerage and risk management consulting company. The technical focus of Porter & Curtis is in risk financing, specifically in the alternative financing area (insurance and reinsurance), and risk management including claims administration. Prior to forming Porter & Curtis, Mr. Curtis, along with Partner Kenneth Porter, founded and successfully managed a retail brokerage operation for Arthur J. Gallagher & Company, the fourth largest insurance broker in the world. Mr. Curtis is licensed as a Pennsylvania Attorney and a Resident Insurance Broker. He has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a M.B.A. in Finance from St. Joseph’s University in Philadelphia and a Juris Doctor from Temple University School of Law. In addition, he holds the Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU), Associate in Risk Management (ARM), and Associate in Reinsurance (ARe) professional designations from the Insurance Institute of America. The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Curtis’ finance, law, risk management and business management experience makes him well suited to serve as a member of Nocopi Technologies’ Board of Directors.
Herman M. Gerwitz, CPA, 56, a director since May 2005, is the Treasurer of Keystone Property Group. Mr. Gerwitz has been with Keystone full time since 1998 and has been responsible for all the financial matters of a Real Estate Development Company that has grown to over 3 million square feet of commercial real estate and a $100,000,000 Real Estate Fund. Prior to joining Keystone, Mr. Gerwitz has spent 20 years as a partner in a public accounting firm. He has received a BBA from Temple University with master’s coursework at Widener University. He is a member of both the Pennsylvania and American Institutes of Certified Public Accountants since 1983. The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Gerwitz’ many years as a Certified Public Accountant and subsequent business management experience makes him well suited to serve as a member of Nocopi Technologies’ Board of Directors and to serve on its Audit Committee.

 

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Richard Levitt, 53, a director since December 1999, has been engaged in the computer and services segment of the computer industry since 1981. Mr. Levitt is currently a Senior Account Executive for Dell Computer in Pittsburgh, PA. He is in the Large Enterprise Group and is responsible for developing major accounts in Western Pennsylvania. Mr. Levitt has been with Dell since November 2005. In 2009, Mr. Levitt was awarded the “Circle of Excellence” award by Dell which is a highest corporate award given to less than 1% of the sales and support employees. In addition, he was awarded over the past three years “Top Team Performer” and “Regional Top Performer” awards. In 1995, he participated in the founding of XiTech Corporation, a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based provider of computing and computer networking hardware and network design and implementation services which in five years grew to over 100 employees and $50 million in annual sales. Since founding XiTech, he had served as one of its corporate principals, as a Network Consultant and as the Manager of its Network Sales Force. Mr. Levitt left XiTech in 2004. Before joining XiTech, Mr. Levitt served as a network sales executive for Digital Equipment Corporation from 1988 to 1994 and as a network consultant for TriLogic Corporation during 1994 and 1995. Mr. Levitt holds a B.S. in Marketing from Kent State University. The Board of Directors believes that Mr. Levitt’s sales and marketing experience in technology-based businesses, including start-ups and smaller businesses, makes him well suited to serve as a member of Nocopi Technologies’ Board of Directors.
Philip B. White, 71, of Ocean City, Maryland was elected to the Board of Directors in August 2006. Mr. White is currently an international consultant in the private sector providing regulatory and industry standards advice to international companies regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the Environmental Protection Agency. He also served as a Technical Advisor and Regulatory Liaison to Nocopi from 2002 to 2005. Before establishing his own global consulting practice in 2000, Mr. White was Director of Medical Device Consulting at the international firm of AAC Consulting Group (now Kendle), Rockville, Md., from 1994 to 2000. He retired from a 33-year career with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1994. His last FDA position was Director of the Office of Standards and Regulations in the Center for Devices and Radiological Health. Previous FDA positions included Regional Director of FDA’s enforcement activities in the Southwestern Region, Deputy FDA Assistant Commissioner for Program Coordination, and Supervisory Food and Drug Inspector. He has served on the Board of Directors of the American National Standards Institute, the Association for Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, and the Regulatory Affairs Professionals Society. He is a 1961 graduate of Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, PA with a B.A. Degree in Biology. He also did graduate studies in 1967 and 1968 specializing in the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act at the New York University Graduate Law School in New York City. The Board of Directors believes that Mr. White’s considerable experience with consumer product safety and regulatory matters gained from his many years at the Food and Drug Administration makes him well suited to serve as a member of Nocopi Technologies’ Board of Directors.
Rudolph A. Lutterschmidt, 63, has been Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company for more than five years, serving in this capacity on a part-time basis since January 2000. Since July 2006, Mr. Lutterschmidt has been a consultant to several southeast Pennsylvania businesses including Murex Investments, a Philadelphia investment fund, where he provided financial guidance to two of its portfolio companies. From April 2005 to July 2006, Mr. Lutterschmidt was employed by BCA Employee Management Group, Inc., a Human Resource Outsource firm located in West Chester, PA. From January 2002 to March 2005, Mr. Lutterschmidt was employed by CitySort LP, a data to delivery mailing business, serving as its Chief Financial Officer from January 2002 to February 2005. He is a graduate of Syracuse University, a member of Financial Executives International, the Institute of Management Accountants and is a Certified Management Accountant.
The terms of the current directors will expire at the 2010 annual meeting of stockholders of the Company.
Corporate Governance
The Board of Directors has determined that all of the directors, with the exception of Michael A. Feinstein, M.D., who serves as Chief Executive Officer, are independent as that term is defined by the SEC. The Company did not make any material changes to the procedures by which stockholders may recommend nominees to the Company’s Board of Directors during 2010.

 

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Audit Committee Financial Expert
The Company has established a standing audit committee in accordance with Section 3(a) (58) (A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that makes recommendations to the Company’s Board of Directors regarding the selection of an independent registered public accounting firm, reviews the results and scope of the Company’s audits and other accounting-related services and reviews and evaluates the Company’s internal control functions. The audit committee does not presently have a written charter. The audit committee is comprised of Michael A. Feinstein, M.D., its Chairman of the Board, and Herman M. Gerwitz, CPA. The Board of Directors has determined that Mr. Gerwitz is an “audit committee financial expert” as currently defined under the SEC rules implementing Section 407 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 and that Mr. Gerwitz meets the criteria for independence as defined by the SEC.
Code of Ethics
The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to its Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer, Principal Accounting Officer and persons performing similar functions. A copy of the Company’s Code of Ethics is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14.1 of this report on Form 10-K.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s executive officers and directors and any persons who beneficially own more than 10% of its common stock (collectively, “Reporting Persons”) to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Reporting Persons are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
Based solely on the Company’s review of the copies of any Section 16(a) forms received by it, the Company believes that with respect to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, all Reporting Persons complied with all applicable filing requirements.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth information concerning compensation for 2009 and 2008 paid to Michael A. Feinstein, M.D., the Company’s Chairman who has served since February 2000 as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. No other employee received compensation in 2009 greater than $100,000.
                                                                         
                                                    Nonqualified              
Name                                           Nonequity     deferred              
and                           Stock     Option     incentive plan     compensation     All other        
principal           Salary     Bonus     awards     awards     compensation     earnings     compensation     Total  
position   Year     ($)     ($)     ($)     ($)     ($)     ($)     ($)     ($)  
(a)   (b)     (c)     (d)     (e)     (f)     (g)     (h)     (i)     (j)  
Michael A. Feinstein, M.D.
                                                                       
Chairman, President and
    2009       85,000                                                       85,000  
Chief Executive Officer
    2008       49,583                       24,340                               73,923  
Dr. Feinstein entered into a written employment agreement effective June 1, 2008 under which he serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company for an initial term of three years with successive one year renewal terms. The employment agreement provides for an annual base salary of $85,000 which may be increased annually at the discretion of the Board of Directors and an annual performance bonus determined by the Board of Directors. In certain situations, including a change in control, Dr. Feinstein may be eligible to receive his base salary for a period of up to twelve months following the termination of employment. The employment agreement prohibits him from competing with the Company during the term of this agreement and for two years after the termination of his employment with the Company.

 

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OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR-END
                                         
Option Awards  
(a)   (b)     (c)     (d)     (e)     (f)  
                    Equity              
                    Income              
                    Plan              
    Number     Number     Awards              
    Of     Of     Number of              
    Securities     Securities     Securities              
    Underlying     Underlying     Underlying              
    Options     Options     Unexercised     Option     Option  
    (#)     (#)     Options     Exercise     Expiration  
Name   Exercisable     Unexercisable     (#)     Price     Date  
 
                                       
Michael A. Feinstein, M.D.
    100,000               100,000     $ .10     April 29, 2010
Michael A. Feinstein, M.D.
    100,000               100,000     $ .215     April 29, 2011
Michael A. Feinstein, M.D.
    100,000               100,000     $ .45     April 29, 2013
There are no outstanding stock awards.
If Dr. Feinstein’s employment is terminated as a result of a change in control, Dr. Feinstein is entitled to receive severance payments equal to twelve months of his then base salary.
Director Compensation
The following table summarizes compensation earned by the Company’s non-executive directors for the year ended December 31, 2009. All directors have been and will be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in connection with attendance at meetings of the Board of Directors or other activities undertaken by them on behalf of the Company.
                                                         
    Fees                                            
    earned                             Nonqualified              
    or                     Nonequity     deferred              
    paid in     Stock     Option     incentive plan     compensation     All other        
    cash     awards     awards     compensation     earnings     compensation     Total  
Name   ($)     ($)     ($)     ($)     ($)     ($)     ($)  
(a)   (b)     (c)     (d)     (e)     (f)     (g)     (h)  
William P. Curtis, Jr.
    0       0       0       0       0       0       0  
Herman M. Gerwitz (1)
    0       0       0       0       0       0       0  
Stanley G. Hart (2)
    0       0       0       0       0       0       0  
Richard Levitt (3)
    0       0       0       0       0       0       0  
Philip B. White (4)
    0       0       0       0       0       0       0  
     
(1)  
Mr. Gerwitz held 300,000 exercisable stock options at December 31, 2009.
 
(2)  
Mr. Hart resigned in September 2009.
 
(3)  
Mr. Levitt held 300,000 exercisable stock options at December 31, 2009.
 
(4)  
Mr. White held 100,000 exercisable stock options at December 31, 2009.

 

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The following table sets forth, as of March 15, 2010, the stock ownership of (1) each person or group known by the Registrant to beneficially own 5% or more of Registrant’s common stock and (2) each director individually, and (3) all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group. To the Company’s knowledge, except as set forth in the footnotes to this table and subject to applicable community property laws, each person named in the table below has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares set forth opposite such person’s name. Except as otherwise indicated, the address of each of the persons in the table below is c/o Nocopi Technologies, Inc., 9C Portland Road, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, 19428.
                 
Common Stock  
    Number        
    Of Shares        
    Beneficially     Percentage of  
Name of Beneficial Owner   Owned     Class (1)  
5% Stockholders
               
Philip N. Hudson
P.O. Box 160892
San Antonio, TX 78280-3092 (2)
    3,962,717       7.1 %
 
               
Westvaco Brand Security, Inc.
One High Ridge Park
Stamford, CT 06905 (3)
    3,917,030       7.0 %
 
               
Ross. L Campbell
675 Lewis Lane
Ambler, PA 19002 (4)
    3,264,457       5.8 %
 
               
Directors and Officers
               
Michael A Feinstein, M.D. (5)
    3,331,881       5.9 %
W. Ward Carey
    760,000       1.4 %
William P. Curtis, Jr.
    457,428       *  
Herman M. Gerwitz (6)
    533,500       *  
Richard Levitt (7)
    550,000       *  
Philip B. White (8)
    222,833       *  
All Executive Officers and Directors as a Group (7 individuals) (9)
    5,906,242       10.5 %
     
*  
Less than 1.0%.
 
(1)  
Where the Number of Shares Beneficially Owned (reported in the preceding column) includes shares which may be purchased upon the exercise of outstanding stock options which are or within sixty days will become exercisable (“presently exercisable options”) the percentage of class reported in this column has been calculated assuming the exercise of such presently exercisable options.
 
(2)  
As reflected in a Schedule 13D dated August 11, 2008 filed on behalf of Philip N. Hudson and subsequent open market purchases as reported to the Company by Mr. Hudson.
 
(3)  
As reflected in a Schedule 13D dated March 14, 2001 filed on behalf of Westvaco Brand Security, Inc.
 
(4)  
As reflected in a Schedule 13D dated April 4, 2005 filed on behalf of Ross L. Campbell.
 
(5)  
Includes 656,000 shares held by a pension plan of which Dr. Feinstein is a trustee, 100,000 shares held in an IRA and 300,000 presently exercisable stock options.
 
(6)  
Includes 50,000 shares held by a trust on behalf of a child of Mr. Gerwitz, 10,000 shares held by a child of Mr. Gerwitz, 6,000 shared held in an IRA and 300,000 presently exercisable stock options.
 
(7)  
Includes 300,000 presently exercisable stock options.
 
(8)  
Includes 100,000 presently exercisable stock options and 50,000 presently exercisable stock options held by Mr. White’s wife.
 
(9)  
Includes 1,100,000 presently exercisable stock options.

 

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EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2009
                         
                    Number of securities  
                    remaining available for  
            Weighted-average     future issuance under  
    Number of securities to     exercise price of     equity compensation  
    be issued upon exercise     outstanding options,     plans (excluding  
    of outstanding options,     warrants and rights     securities reflected in  
Plan Category   warrants and rights     compensation plans     column (a))  
    (a)     (b)     (c)  
 
                       
Equity Compensation plans approved by security holders
    300,000     $ .22       -0-  
Equity Compensation plans not approved by security holders (1)
    1,025,000     $ .24       -0-  
Warrants issued in connection with short-term loans (2)
    47,000     $ .23       -0-  
 
                 
Total
    1,372,000     $ .24       -0-  
 
                 
     
(1)  
Registrant’s 1999 Stock Option Plan was adopted by the Registrant’s Board of Directors in February 1999. The Plan provided for the grant of incentive or non-qualified options to purchase up to 2,000,000 shares of common restricted stock of the Registrant to employees, directors, consultants and advisors. The Plan was administered by the Board of Directors or a committee of not less than two board members appointed by the board. The Plan terminated in February 2009 on the tenth anniversary of its adoption.
 
(2)  
Warrants issued in connection with the receipt of $57,000 of short term-notes were approved by the Board of Directors. In 2008, 10,000 warrants were exercised. The warrants expire in five years.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
During 2008, each of the Company’s then five directors, Dr. Feinstein and Messrs. Gerwitz, Hart, Levitt and White received options to purchase 100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at $.45 per share. The options expire in 2013.
During 2009, Mr. Lutterschmidt, Chief Financial Officer, received options to purchase 50,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at $.12 per share. The options expire in 2014.
During 2009, Dr. Feinstein’s brother-in-law purchased 650,000 shares of the Company’s stock for $32,000 (250,000 shares at $.064 and 400,000 shares at $.04).
During 2009, the Company sold 260,417 unregistered shares of its common stock to William P. Curtis, Jr., a director for $25,000 ($.096 per share).

 

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The Board of Directors has determined that all the directors, with the exception of Michael A. Feinstein, M.D., who serves as President and Chief Executive Officer, are independent as that term is defined by the SEC.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The Company has retained the public accounting firm of Morison Cogen, LLP, whose principal business address is 150 Monument Rd., Suite 500, Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004, to perform its annual audit for inclusion of its report on Form 10-K and perform SAS 100 reviews of quarterly information in connection with Form 10-Q filings.
Audit Fees
During 2009 and 2008, the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by our principal accountant for the audit of our annual financial statements and review of our quarterly financial statements was $34,000 and $29,000, respectively.
Audit-Related Fees
During 2009, our principal accountant did not render assurance and related services reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of financial statements. During 2008, the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by our principal accountant for assurance and related services reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of financial statements was $1,200.
Tax Fees
During 2009 and 2008, the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by our principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning was $4,500 and $4,000, respectively.
All Other Fees
During 2009 and 2008, there were no fees billed for products and services provided by our principal accountant other than those set forth above.
Audit Committee Approval
The Audit Committee, consisting of Michael A. Feinstein, M.D., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Herman M. Gerwitz, CPA, evaluate and approve in advance, the scope and cost of the engagement of an auditor before the auditor renders audit and non-audit services. All non-audit services were approved by the audit committee. Registrant does not rely on pre-approval policies and procedures.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
See Exhibit Index.

 

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
         
  NOCOPI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
 
 
Date: March 31, 2010  By:   /s/ Michael A. Feinstein, M.D.    
    Michael A. Feinstein, M.D.   
    Title:   Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer 
 
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
         
Signature   Title   Date
 
       
/s/ Michael A. Feinstein, M.D.
 
Michael A. Feinstein, M.D.
  Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)   March 31, 2010
 
       
/s/ Rudolph A. Lutterschmidt
 
Rudolph A. Lutterschmidt
  Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)   March 31, 2010
 
       
/s/ W. Ward Carey
 
W. Ward Carey
  Director    March 31, 2010
 
       
/s/ William P. Curtis, Jr.
 
William P. Curtis, Jr.
  Director    March 31, 2010
 
       
/s/ Herman M. Gerwitz
 
Herman M. Gerwitz
  Director    March 31, 2010
 
       
/s/ Richard Levitt
 
Richard Levitt
  Director    March 31, 2010
 
       
/s/ Philip B. White
 
Philip B. White
  Director    March 31, 2010

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
of Nocopi Technologies, Inc.
West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Nocopi Technologies, Inc. as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the related statements of operations, stockholders’ equity (deficiency), and cash flows for the years then ended. The financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit included consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. An audit also 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, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Nocopi Technologies, Inc. at December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
The accompanying financial statements have been prepared assuming that the Company will continue as a going concern. As discussed in Note 3 to the financial statements, the Company has incurred losses from operations that raises substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern. Management’s plans in regard to this matter are also described in Note 3. The financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
     
/s/ MORISON COGEN, LLP
 
   
 
   
Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania
March 31, 2010
   

 

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Nocopi Technologies, Inc.
Balance Sheets*
                 
    December 31  
    2009     2008  
Assets
 
               
Current assets
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 37,200     $ 87,200  
Accounts receivable less $5,000 allowance for doubtful accounts
    140,400       167,100  
Inventory
    66,100       97,200  
Prepaid and other
    35,200       35,900  
 
           
Total current assets
    278,900       387,400  
 
               
Fixed assets
               
Leasehold improvements
    72,500       72,500  
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
    184,900       184,900  
 
           
 
    257,400       257,400  
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization
    242,200       233,100  
 
           
 
    15,200       24,300  
 
           
Total assets
  $ 294,100     $ 411,700  
 
           
 
               
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficiency)
 
               
Current liabilities
               
Line of credit
  $ 100,000        
Accounts payable
    268,400     $ 272,200  
Accrued expenses
    106,900       117,100  
Deferred revenue
    13,900       10,000  
 
           
Total current liabilities
    489,200       399,300  
 
               
Commitments and contingencies
               
 
               
Stockholders’ equity (deficiency)
               
Series A preferred stock, $1.00 par value
               
Authorized - 300,000 shares
               
Issued and outstanding — none
               
Common stock, $.01 par value
               
Authorized - 75,000,000 shares
               
Issued and outstanding
               
2009 - 54,972,296 shares; 2008 - 52,285,837 shares
    549,700       522,900  
Paid-in capital
    12,287,400       12,132,300  
Accumulated deficit
    (13,032,200 )     (12,642,800 )
 
           
 
    (195,100 )     12,400  
 
           
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficiency)
  $ 294,100     $ 411,700  
 
           
     
*  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Nocopi Technologies, Inc.
Statements of Operations*
                 
    Years ended December 31  
    2009     2008  
Revenues
               
Licenses, royalties and fees
  $ 377,900     $ 591,400  
Product and other sales
    290,200       349,900  
 
           
 
    668,100       941,300  
 
           
 
               
Cost of revenues
               
Licenses, royalties and fees
    86,400       90,200  
Product and other sales
    239,200       252,900  
 
           
 
    325,600       343,100  
 
           
Gross profit
    342,500       598,200  
 
           
 
               
Operating expenses
               
Research and development
    165,900       166,900  
Sales and marketing
    259,200       246,600  
General and administrative
    372,400       547,000  
 
           
 
    797,500       960,500  
 
           
Net loss from operations
    (455,000 )     (362,300 )
 
           
 
               
Other income (expenses)
               
Reversal of accounts payable and accrued expenses
    69,100       91,000  
Interest income
          2,800  
Interest expense and bank charges
    (3,500 )     (2,300 )
 
           
 
    65,600       91,500  
 
           
Net loss before income taxes
    (389,400 )     (270,800 )
Income taxes
          900  
 
           
Net loss
  $ (389,400 )   $ (271,700 )
 
           
 
               
Basic and diluted net loss per common share
  $ (.01 )   $ (.01 )
 
               
Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding
    53,124,118       52,282,920  
     
*  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Nocopi Technologies, Inc.
Statement of Stockholders’ Equity (Deficiency)*
For the Period January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2009
                                         
    Common stock     Paid-in     Accumulated        
    Shares     Amount     Capital     Deficit     Total  
 
                                       
Balance — January 1, 2008
    52,275,837     $ 522,800     $ 12,008,500     $ (12,371,100 )   $ 160,200  
 
                                       
Exercise of warrants
    10,000       100       2,100               2,200  
 
                                       
Stock option compensation
                    121,700               121,700  
 
                                       
Net loss
                            (271,700 )     (271,700 )
 
                             
Balance — December 31, 2008
    52,285,837       522,900       12,132,300       (12,642,800 )     12,400  
 
                                       
Sales of common stock
    2,686,459       26,800       135,200               162,000  
 
                                       
Stock option compensation
                    19,900               19,900  
 
                                       
Net loss
                            (389,400 )     (389,400 )
 
                             
Balance — December 31, 2009
    54,972,296     $ 549,700     $ 12,287,400     $ (13,032,200 )   $ (195,100 )
 
                             
     
*  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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Nocopi Technologies, Inc.
Statements of Cash Flows*
                 
    Years ended December 31  
    2009     2008  
Operating Activities
               
Net loss
  $ (389,400 )   $ (271,700 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to cash used in operating activities
               
Depreciation and amortization
    9,100       12,500  
Reversal of accounts payable and accrued expenses
    (69,100 )     (91,000 )
Compensation expense — stock option grants
    19,900       121,700  
 
           
 
    (429,500 )     (228,500 )
 
           
 
               
(Increase) decrease in assets
               
Accounts receivable
    26,700       54,800  
Inventory
    31,100       (4,900 )
Prepaid and other
    700       20,300  
Increase (decrease) in liabilities
               
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
    55,100       (21,100 )
Accrued income taxes
          (800 )
Deferred revenue
    3,900       5,000  
 
           
 
    117,500       53,300  
 
           
Net cash used in operating activities
    (312,000 )     (175,200 )
 
           
 
               
Investing Activities
               
Additions to fixed assets
          (3,400 )
 
           
Net cash used in investing activities
          (3,400 )
 
           
 
               
Financing Activities
               
Net borrowings under line of credit
    100,000        
Issuance of common stock
    162,000        
Exercise of warrants
          2,200  
 
           
Net cash provided by financing activities
    262,000       2,200  
 
           
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents
    (50,000 )     (176,400 )
Cash and cash equivalents
               
Beginning of year
    87,200       263,600  
 
           
End of year
  $ 37,200     $ 87,200  
 
           
 
               
Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information
               
Cash paid for interest
  $ 2,100     $ 2,700  
Cash paid for income taxes
        $ 2,400  
 
               
Supplemental Disclosure of Non Cash Investing Activities
               
Write-off of fully depreciated furniture, fixtures and equipment
               
Furniture, fixtures and equipment
        $ (327,900 )
Accumulated depreciation
        $ 327,900  
     
*  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

 

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NOCOPI TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2009 and 2008
1.  
Organization of the Company
Nocopi Technologies, Inc. (the Company) is organized under the laws of the State of Maryland. Its main business activities are the development and distribution of document security products and the licensing of its patented reactive ink technologies for the Entertainment and Toy and the Document and Product Authentication markets in the United States and foreign countries. The Company operates in one principal industry segment.
2.  
Significant Accounting Policies
Financial Statement Presentation - Amounts included in the accompanying financial statements have been rounded to the nearest hundred, except for number of shares and per share information.
Estimates - The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with Accounting Principles Generally Accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent liabilities at the dates of financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reported periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Cash and cash equivalents - Cash equivalents consist principally of time deposits and highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less placed with major banks and financial institutions. Cash equivalents are carried at the lower of cost, plus accrued interest, or market value and are held in money market accounts at a local bank.
Accounts receivable - As amounts become uncollectible, they will be charged to an allowance or operations in the period when a determination of uncollectibility is made. Any estimates of potentially uncollectible customer accounts receivable will be made based on an analysis of individual customer and historical write-off experience. The Company’s analysis includes the age of the receivable account, creditworthiness and general economic conditions.
Inventory consists primarily of ink components and paper and is stated at the lower of cost (determined by the first-in, first-out method) or market.
Fixed assets are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Furniture, fixtures and equipment are generally depreciated on the straight-line method over their estimated service lives. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of five years or the term of the lease. Major renovations and betterments are capitalized. Maintenance, repairs and minor items are expensed as incurred. Upon disposal, assets and related depreciation are removed from the accounts and the net amount, less proceeds from disposal, is charged or credited to income. In 2008, the Company wrote off approximately $327,900 of fully depreciated furniture, fixtures and equipment that has been disposed of, along with an equal amount of accumulated depreciation. There was no effect on the Company’s results of operations.
Patent costs are charged to expense as incurred due to the uncertainty of their recoverability as a result of the Company’s adverse liquidity situation.

 

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Revenues - In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 104, Revenue Recognition, the Company recognizes revenue when (i) persuasive evidence of a customer or distributor arrangement exists or acceptance occurs, (ii) a retailer, distributor or wholesaler receives the goods, (iii) the price is fixed or determinable, and (iv) collectibility of the sales revenue is reasonably assured. Subject to these criteria, the Company will generally recognize revenue upon shipment of product. Revenue from license fees and royalties will be recognized as earned over the license term.
Income taxes - Deferred income taxes are provided for all temporary differences and net operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance when, in the opinion of management, it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized.
Fair value - The carrying amounts reflected in the balance sheets for cash, cash equivalents, receivables, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value due to the short maturities of these instruments. The carrying amount of the line of credit approximates fair value since the interest rate associated with the debt approximates the current market interest rates.
Earnings (loss) per share - The Company follows FASB ASC 260 (formerly, SFAS No. 128), “Earnings Per Share,” resulting in the presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share. Because the Company reported a net loss for the years ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, common stock equivalents, consisting of stock options and warrants, were anti-dilutive for those periods.
Comprehensive income (loss) - The Company follows FASB ASC 220 (formerly, SFAS No. 130), “Comprehensive Income.” Since the Company has no items of comprehensive income (loss), comprehensive income (loss) is equal to net income (loss).
Recoverability of Long-Lived Assets
The Company follows FASB ASC 360-35 (formerly, SFAS No. 144), “Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets.” The Statement requires that long-lived assets and certain identifiable intangibles be reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. The Company is not aware of any events or circumstances which indicate the existence of an impairment which would be material to the Company’s annual financial statements.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
FASB ASC 820-10 (formerly, SFAS No. 157) establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. The changes to current practice resulting from the application of this standard relate to the definition of fair value, the methods used to measure fair value, and the expanded disclosures about fair value measurements. This standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007; however, it provides a one-year deferral of the effective date for non-financial assets and non-financial liabilities, except those that are recognized or disclosed in the financial statements at fair value at least annually. The Company adopted this standard for financial assets and financial liabilities and nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities disclosed or recognized at fair value on a recurring basis (at least annually) as of January 1, 2008. The Company adopted the standard for nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities on January 1, 2009. The adoption of this standard in each period did not have a material impact on its financial statements.

 

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FASB ASC 805 (formerly, SFAS No. 141R) establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree and the goodwill acquired. This standard also establishes disclosure requirements to enable the evaluation of the nature and financial effects of the business combination. This standard was adopted by the Company beginning January 1, 2009 and will change the accounting for business combinations on a prospective basis, when applicable.
FASB ASC 825-10 (formerly, FSP FAS 107-1 and FSP APB 28-1) requires disclosures about the fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods. This standard is effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
FASB ASC 820-10 (formerly, FSP FAS 157-4) provides additional guidance for Fair Value Measurements when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability has significantly decreased. This standard is effective for interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on its financial statements.
FASB ASC 855-10 (formerly, SFAS No. 165) is effective for interim or annual financial periods ending after June 15, 2009 and establishes general standards of accounting and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued.
However, since the Company is a public entity, management is required to evaluate subsequent events through the date that financial statements are issued. This standard was adopted for its interim period ending June 30, 2009. Subsequent events have been evaluated through the date that the financial statements were issued.
In June 2009, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-01, The FASB Accounting Standards Codification, which establishes the Codification as the source of authoritative GAAP recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. This standard is effective for financial statements issued for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The adoption of this standard changes the referencing of financial standards.
As of December 31, 2009, the FASB has issued Accounting Standards Updates (ASU) through No. 2009-17. None of the ASUs have had an impact on the Company’s financial statements.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
As of December 31, 2009, there are no recently issued accounting standards not yet adopted which would have a material effect on the Company’s financial statements.

 

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3.  
Going Concern
Since its inception, with the exception of the year ended December 31, 2007 during which it generated net income of $386,000, the Company has incurred significant losses and, as of December 31, 2009, had accumulated losses of $13,032,200. For the years ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company’s had a net loss from operations of $455,000 and $362,300, respectively. The Company had negative working capital of $210,300 at December 31, 2009 and $11,900 at December 31, 2008. Due in part to the recession which has and is continuing to negatively impact the country’s economy, the Company, which is substantially dependent on its licensees to generate licensing revenues, may incur further operating losses and experience negative cash flow in the future. Achieving profitability and positive cash flow depends on the Company’s ability to generate and sustain significant increases in revenues and gross profits from its traditional business. There can be no assurances that the Company will be able to generate sufficient revenues and gross profits to return to and sustain profitability and positive cash flow in the future.
During 2009, the Company raised $162,000 in a private placement exempt from registration under section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, whereby 2,426,042 shares of the Company’s common stock were sold to six non-affiliated individual investors and 260,417 were sold to a Director of the Company. These investments, combined with the remainder of the cash generated from operations during the year ended December 31, 2007 and borrowings under its line of credit, have permitted the Company to continue in operation to the current date. In 2008, the Company negotiated a $100,000 revolving line of credit with a bank as an additional potential source of capital. During 2009, the Company borrowed the entire $100,000 under the line of credit to fund its operating activities. There can be no assurances that the bank will continue to make the line of credit available in the future. Management of the Company believes that it will need additional capital in the immediate future both to fund investments needed to increase its operating revenues to levels that will sustain its operations and to fund operating deficits that it anticipates will continue until revenue increases from traditional and new product lines can be realized. There can be no assurances that the Company will be successful in obtaining sufficient additional capital, or if it does, that the additional capital will enable the Company to impact its revenues so as to have a material positive effect on the Company’s operations and cash flow. The Company believes that without additional capital, whether in the form of debt, equity or both, it may be forced to cease operations in the near future.
The Company’s independent registered public accountants have included a “going concern” explanatory paragraph in their audit report accompanying the 2009 financial statements. The paragraph states that the Company’s recurring losses from operations raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern and cautions that the financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the outcome of this uncertainty.
4.  
Concentration of Credit Risk
Certain financial instruments potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk. These financial instruments consist primarily of cash and accounts receivables. At December 31, 2009, the Company did not have deposits with a financial institution that exceed the FDIC deposit insurance coverage of $250,000. There is a concentration of credit risk with respect to accounts receivable due to the number of major customers.

 

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5.  
Line of Credit
In 2008, the Company negotiated a $100,000 revolving line of credit with a bank to provide a source of working capital. The line of credit is secured by all the assets of the Company and bears interest at the bank’s prime rate plus .5%. At December 31, 2009, the interest rate applicable to the Company’s line of credit was 3.75%. The line of credit is subject to an annual review and quiet period. The Company presently is required to pay interest only on borrowings under the line of credit. During the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company borrowed the entire $100,000 available under the line of credit.
6.  
Stockholders’ Equity
During 2009, the Company sold 2,426,042 shares of its common stock to six non-affiliated individual investors and 260,417 shares to William P. Curtis, Jr., a Director, for a total of $162,000 pursuant to a private placement. During 2008, a warrant holder exercised warrants to acquire 10,000 shares of common stock of the Company at $.22 per share.
7.  
Other Income (Expenses)
Other income (expenses) includes, for the year ended December 31, 2009, the reversal of $69,100 of accounts payable related to invoices received from 2001 through 2003 from a business for consulting services that the Company, with legal counsel, has determined to be no longer statutorily payable as the statute of limitations to bring a claim has expired. For the year ended December 31, 2008, other income (expenses) included the reversal of $91,000 of accounts payable and accrued expenses that the Company, with legal counsel, determined to be no longer statutorily payable as the statute of limitations to bring a claim has expired.
8.  
Income Taxes
The Company recorded an income tax expense of $900 in the year ended December 31, 2008 for certain state income taxes due for 2007 in excess of the tax liability recorded in that year. There is no income tax benefit for 2009 due to the availability of net operating loss carryforwards (“NOL’s”) for which the Company had previously established a 100% valuation allowance for deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty of their recoverability. At December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company had NOL’s approximating $7,194,000 and $8,297,000, respectively. The operating losses at December 31, 2009 are available to offset future taxable income; however, if not utilized, they expire in varying amounts through the year 2029. As a result of the sale of the Company’s common stock in an equity offering in late 1997 and the issuance of additional shares, the amount of the NOL’s may be limited. Additionally, the utilization of these NOL’s, if available, to reduce the future income taxes will depend on the generation of sufficient taxable income prior to their expiration. There were no temporary differences for the years ended December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008. The Company has established a 100% valuation allowance of approximately $2,949,000 and $3,402,000 at December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively, for the deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty of their realization.

 

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The Company adopted the provisions of FASB ASC 740-10-50-15 (formerly FIN 48), “Unrecognized Tax Benefit Related Disclosures,” on January 1, 2007. There were no unrecognized tax benefits as of the date of adoption and no unrecognized tax benefits at December 31, 2008. There was no change in unrecognized tax benefits during the year ended December 31, 2009 and there was no accrual for uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2009.
There were no interest and penalties recognized in the statement of operations and in the balance sheet. Tax years from 2006 through 2009 remain subject to examination by U.S. federal and state tax jurisdictions.
9.  
Commitments and Contingencies
The Company conducts its operations in leased facilities and leases equipment under non-cancelable operating leases expiring at various dates to 2013.
Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases with initial or remaining terms of one year or more at December 31, 2009 are: $41,900 — 2010; $43,200 — 2011; $44,400 — 2012 and $11,400 — 2013.
Total rental expense under operating leases was $42,400 and $41,200 in 2009 and 2008, respectively.
The Company has a three-year employment agreement, effective in June 2008, with Michael A. Feinstein, M.D., its Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Feinstein receives base compensation of $85,000 per year plus a performance bonus determined by the Company’s Board of Directors. Future minimum compensation payments under this employment agreement are: $85,000 — 2010; and $35,400 — 2011.
From time to time, the Company may be subject to legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of its business.
10.  
Stock Options and 401(k) Savings Plan
In December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued an amendment to FASB ASC 718 (formerly, SFAS 123R), Share Based Payment. This statement requires that the cost resulting from all share-based payment transactions be recognized in the Company’s financial statements. In addition, in March 2005, the SEC released SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 107, Share-Based Payment (SAB 107). SAB 107 provides the SEC’s staff’s position regarding the application of FASB ASC 718 and certain SEC rules and regulations, and also provides the staff’s views regarding the valuation of share-based payment arrangements for public companies. FASB ASC 718 requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the statement of operations based on their fair values.
The 1996 and 1999 Stock Option Plans provided for the granting of up to 2,700,000 incentive and non-qualified stock options to employees, non-employee directors, consultants and advisors to the Company. In the case of options designated as incentive stock options, the exercise price of the options granted must be not less than the fair market value of such shares on the date of grant. Non-qualified stock options may be granted at any amount established by the Stock Option Committee or, in the case of Discounted Options issued to non-employee directors in lieu of any portion of an Annual Retainer, in accordance with a formula designated in the Plan. The 1996 Stock Option Plan terminated in June 2006 and no further stock options can be granted under the plan; however, options granted before June 2006 may be exercised through their expiration date. The 1999 Stock Option Plan terminated in February 2009 and no further stock options can be granted under the plan; however, options granted before the termination date may be exercised through their expiration date.

 

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The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to calculate the grant-date fair value of an award.
A summary of stock options under the Company’s stock option plans follows:
                     
            Exercise   Weighted  
    Number of     Price Range   Average  
    Shares     Per Share   Exercise Price  
 
                   
Outstanding at December 31, 2007
    1,750,000     $.10 to $.22   $ .16  
Options granted
    500,000     .45     .45  
 
             
Outstanding at December 31, 2008
    2,250,000     .10 to .45     .23  
Options granted
    325,000     .12     .12  
Options canceled
    1,250,000     .10 to .45     .19  
 
             
Outstanding at December 31, 2009
    1,325,000     $.10 to $.45   $ .24  
 
             
                     
            Exercise   Weighted  
    Option     Price Range   Average  
    Shares     Per Share   Exercise Price  
Exercisable at year end:
                   
2008
    1,750,000     $.10 to $.22   $ .16  
2009
    1,000,000     $.10 to $.45   $ .28  
 
                   
Options available for future grant under all plans:
                   
2008
    325,000              
2009
    0              

 

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The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at December 31, 2009:
         
Range of exercise prices
  $ .10 to $.45  
 
     
 
       
Number outstanding at December 31, 2009
    1,325,000  
 
     
 
       
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)
    2.43  
 
     
 
       
Weighted average exercise price
  $ .24  
 
     
 
       
Exercisable options:
       
Number outstanding at December 31, 2009
    1,000,000  
 
     
 
       
Weighted average remaining contractual life (years)
    1.87  
 
     
 
Weighted average exercise price
  $ .28  
 
     
In February 2009, the Board of Directors of the Company, under the Company’s 1999 Stock Option Plan, granted options to acquire 200,000 shares of its common stock to five employees of the Company, options to acquire 75,000 shares of its common stock to two consultants and options to acquire 50,000 shares of its common stock to an officer of the Company at $.12 per share. The options vest after one year and expire after five years. In accordance with the fair value method as described in accounting requirements of FASB ASC 718, compensation expense of approximately $22,900 is being recognized over the vesting period of the options through February 2010 to account for the cost of services received by the Company in exchange for the grant of stock options. The fair value was determined using the Black-Scholes pricing model with the following assumptions: expected life-5 years; interest rate-1.81%; volatility-70% and dividend yield-0. During the year ended December 31, 2009, compensation expense of approximately $19,900 was recognized. As of December 31, 2009, the unrecognized portion of compensation expense was approximately $3,000.
On April 30, 2008, the Company, under its directors stock option plan, granted options to each of its then five directors, including one member who is also an executive officer of the Company, to purchase 100,000 shares each of its common stock at an exercise price of $.45 per share, vesting on January 1, 2009, and expiring five years from the date of grant. The options were contingent on the directors attending a certain percentage of Board of Directors meetings during 2008. In accordance with the fair value method as described in accounting requirements of FASB ASC 718, the Company recognized compensation expense of $121,700 during the year ended December 31, 2008 over the vesting period of the options to account for the cost of employee and director services received by the Company in exchange for the grant of stock options. The fair value was determined using the Black-Scholes pricing model with the following assumptions: expected life-5 years; interest rate-3.03%; volatility-61% and dividend yield-0.

 

F-14


Table of Contents

At December 31, 2009, the Company had 47,000 warrants to purchase common stock of the Company outstanding at exercise prices ranging from $.21 to $.27 and expiring at various dates through September 2011.
At December 31, 2009, the Company has reserved 1,372,000 shares of common stock for possible future issuance upon exercise of 1,325,000 stock options and 47,000 warrants. The Company sponsors a 401(k) savings plan, covering substantially all employees, providing for employee and employer contributions. Employer contributions are made at the discretion of the Company. There were no contributions charged to expense during 2009 or 2008.
11.  
Major Customer and Geographic Information
The Company’s revenues, expressed as a percentage of total revenues, from non-affiliated customers that equaled 10% or more of the Company’s total revenues were:
                 
    Year ended December 31  
    2009     2008  
Customer A
    35 %     45 %
Customer B
    21 %     18 %
Customer C
    19 %     23 %
The Company’s non-affiliate customers whose individual balances amounted to more than 10% of the Company’s net accounts receivable, expressed as a percentage of net accounts receivable, were:
                 
    December 31  
    2009     2008  
Customer A
    59 %     65 %
Customer B
    13 %      
Customer C
    19 %     28 %
The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its customers and generally does not require collateral. The Company also maintains allowances for potential credit losses. The loss of a major customer could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business operations and financial condition.
The Company’s revenues by geographic region are as follows:
                 
    Year ended December 31  
    2009     2008  
North America
  $ 524,600     $ 765,300  
Asia
    142,600       174,400  
Europe
    900       1,600  
 
           
 
  $ 668,100     $ 941,300  
 
           

 

F-15


Table of Contents

12.  
Subsequent Events
In late March 2010, the Company received unsecured loans totaling $40,500 from three individuals of which $7,500 was lent by Herman M. Gerwitz, a Director. The loans bear interest at 8% and are payable on demand. Additionally, subject to Board of Directors approval, the Company granted warrants to purchase 40,500 shares of common stock of the Company at $.0703 per share to these three individuals. The warrants expire in five years. The loans were used to finance the Company’s working capital requirements. These demand loans constitute a violation of the covenants under the Company’s line of credit. Management of the Company intends to cure this violation.

 

F-16


Table of Contents

Exhibit Index
The following Exhibits are filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K:
         
Exhibit    
Number   Description
       
 
  3.1    
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation (15)
       
 
  3.2    
Amended and Restated Bylaws (15)
       
 
  4.1    
Form of Certificate of Common Stock (11)
       
 
  10.1  
Summary Plan Description for Nocopi Technologies, Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan (1)
       
 
  10.2  
Nocopi Technologies, Inc. 1996 Stock Option Plan (2)
       
 
  10.3  
Nocopi Technologies, Inc. 1999 Stock Option Plan (3)
       
 
  10.4  
Amended Summary Plan Description for Nocopi Technologies, Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan (3)
       
 
  10.5    
Director Indemnification Agreement (4)
       
 
  10.6    
Officer Indemnification Agreement (4)
       
 
  10.7    
Stock Purchase Agreement with Westvaco Brand Security, Inc. (5)
       
 
  10.8    
Registration Rights Agreement with Westvaco Brand Security, Inc. (5)
       
 
  10.9    
Subscription Agreement with Entrevest I Associates (6)
       
 
  10.10    
Lease Agreement dated March 19, 2003 relating to premises at 9 Portland Road, West Conshohocken, PA 19428 (6)
       
 
  10.11    
Settlement Agreement with Euro-Nocopi, S.A. (7)
       
 
  10.12    
Agreement of Terms with Entrevest I Associates (8)
       
 
  10.13    
Conversion Agreement (9)
       
 
  10.14    
Patent License Agreement with Giddy Up, LLC and Color Loco, LLC (12)
       
 
  10.15    
Addendum #1 to Patent License Agreement with Giddy Up, LLC and Color Loco, LLC (12)
       
 
  10.16    
Amendment dated July 18, 2007 to Lease Agreement dated March 19, 2003 relating to premises at 9 Portland Road, West Conshohocken, PA 19428 (13)
       
 
  10.17  
Employment Agreement with Michael A. Feinstein, M.D. (14)
       
 
  10.18    
Business Loan Agreement, Promissory Note and Commercial Security Agreement dated August 19, 2008 between the Company and Sovereign Bank (15)
       
 
  10.19 †*  
Amended Summary Plan Description for Nocopi Technologies, Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan
       
 
  10.20 *  
Patent License Agreement with Elmer’s Products, Inc.

 

 


Table of Contents

         
Exhibit    
Number   Description
       
 
  14.1    
Code of Ethics (10)
       
 
  31.1 *  
Certification of Chief Financial Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a)
       
 
  31.2 *  
Certification of Chief Executive Officer required by Rule 13a-14(a)
       
 
  32.1 *  
Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, As Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
     
*  
Exhibit filed with this Report.
 
 
Compensation plans and arrangements for executives and others.
 
(1)  
Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 1993
 
(2)  
Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Year Ended December 31, 1996
 
(3)  
Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the Year Ended December 31, 1998
 
(4)  
Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the Three Months Ended September 30, 1999
 
(5)  
Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the Year Ended December 31, 2000
 
(6)  
Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the Year Ended December 31, 2002
 
(7)  
Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the Year Ended December 31, 2003
 
(8)  
Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission on September 16, 2004
 
(9)  
Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2004
 
(10)  
Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the Year Ended December 31, 2004
 
(11)  
Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the Year Ended December 31, 2005
 
(12)  
Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the Year Ended December 31, 2006
 
(13)  
Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2007
 
(14)  
Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008
 
(15)  
Incorporated by reference to Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2008

 

 

EX-10.19 2 c98501exv10w19.htm EXHIBIT 10.19 Exhibit 10.19
Exhibit 10.19
Qualified Retirement Plan
Flexible Standardized 401(k) Plan
General Information Sheet/Summary Plan Description
EMPLOYER INFORMATION
Your Employer has adopted a 401(k) Plan for the benefit of you and your co-workers. This plan is designed to help you meet your financial needs during your retirement years. Your Employer must follow certain rules and requirements to maintain this Plan. This General Information Sheet provides some of the details of the Plan and should be used in conjunction with the Summary Plan Description (SPD) Booklet which is provided by your Employer. Definitions of terms referenced with capitalization in this document can be found in the Definitions portion of the SPD Booklet.
Name of Plan Nocopi Technologies Inc. 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust
Name of Adopting Employer Nocopi Technologies Inc.
Address 9C Portland Road, West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Telephone 610-834-9600 Employer’s Federal Tax Identification Number 87-0406496
Plan Sequence Number 001 Employer’s Fiscal Year End 12/31
SECTION ONE: EFFECTIVE DATES
This is the initial adoption of a plan by the Employer. The Plan Effective Date is                                         
If this is a restatement of an existing qualified plan (a Prior Plan), the Prior Plan was initially effective on 01/01/1993
The reinstatement Effective Date is 07/20/2009.
SECTION TWO: ELIGIBILITY
See Section titled Eligibility and Participation of the SPD Booklet.
Age and Service: You will become eligible to participate in the Plan after you satisfy the age and service requirements as identified for each contribution type.
Age: Elective Deferrals 21 Matching Contributions 21 Employer Profit Sharing Contributions 21
Years of Eligibility
Service: Elective Deferrals 1 Matching Contributions 1 Employer Profit Sharing Contributions 1
Are all Employees considered to have met the age and service requirements described above if employed on the Plan
Effective Date of this Plan? o Yes þ No
     
EXCLUSION OF
  All Employees may become eligible to participate in the Plan except the following:
CERTAIN CLASSES
OF EMPLOYEES
 
þ   Employees covered by the terms of a collective bargaining agreement (e.g., union agreement) unless the collective bargaining agreement specifies that the Employees must be covered by the Plan.
 
   
 
 
þ   Employees who are nonresident aliens and receive no earned income from the Employer within the United States.
 
   
 
 
þ   Employees who become Employees as a result of an asset or stock acquisition, merger, or similar transaction involving a change in the Employer of a trade or business (during the transition period only).
Hours Required for Eligibility: The number of Hours of Service you must be employed to complete a Year of Eligibility Service is 1000. The number of Hours of Service you must exceed to avoid a Break in Eligibility Service is 500.

 


 

Employees shall be given credit for eligibility purposes for Hours of Service with the following predecessor employer(s):
Entry Dates: The Entry Dates upon which you can begin Plan participation are: IMMEDIATELY.
SECTION THREE: CONTRIBUTIONS
See Section titled Contributions to the Plan of the SPD Booklet.
Employer Profit Sharing Contributions: The amount of the Employer Profit Sharing Contribution, if any, will be determined according to a discretionary formula in an amount determined each year by the managing body of the Employer and will be allocated to each Qualifying Participant’s Individual Account under the formula checked below:
         
þ   Pro Rata Formula. Under this formula, each Qualifying Participant’s Individual Account will receive a pro rata allocation. This allocation is based on the qualifying Participant’s Compensation in relation to the total Compensation of all Qualifying Participants.
 
       
o   Flat Dollar Formula. Under this formula, all Qualifying Participants’ Individual Accounts will receive equal contributions.
 
       
o   Integrated Formula. Under this formula, each Qualifying Participant’s Individual Account will receive a base contribution. In addition, Qualifying Participants will receive an additional allocation (called an excess contribution) based on their Compensation above the integration level. The integration level shall be:
 
       
 
  o   The Taxable Wage Base
 
       
 
  o   $                                         (a dollar amount less than the Taxable Wage Base).
 
       
 
  o                        percent (not more than 100 percent) of the Taxable Wage Base.
Qualifying Participant: For any Plan Year that an Employer Profit Sharing Contribution is made, you will be entitled to share in that contribution (and, thus, be a Qualifying Participant) if you satisfy the following conditions: (1) You are a Participant, and (2) If you terminate employment, you work at least 500 Hour(s) of Service during the Plan Year.
The Profit Sharing Contribution will be calculated based on the following frequency: Annual.
Elective Deferrals: Elective Deferrals will be permitted under this Plan and may commence on 07/20/2009.
The following types of elective deferrals are permitted under this Plan:
         
 
  þ   Pre-tax
 
       
 
  þ   Roth
Once you become eligible to participate in the Plan, your Employer will provide you with a Salary Reduction Agreement to be completed before the next plan Entry Date. To change the amount of, cease, or resume your Elective Deferrals, you must complete a revised Salary Reduction Agreement. Unless otherwise stated by your Employer, you may revise your Salary Reduction Agreement at any time.
By completing a Salary Reduction Agreement to make an Elective Deferral to this Plan, your Compensation will be reduced each pay period by an amount equal to:
         
 
  o   A percentage of your Compensation from 0% to                      % in increments of 1%.
 
       
 
  o   An amount of your Compensation not less than $                     and not more than $                    .
 
       
 
  o   A Percentage of your Compensation from 0% to                     % in increments of 1% or an amount of your Compensation not less than $                     and not more than $                    .
 
       
 
  þ   A percentage or dollar amount not to exceed the limits imposed by IRC 401(k), 402(g), 404 and 415.
If you make an excess Elective Deferral to the Plan, you must submit a request in writing for the return of the excess to the Plan Administrator no later than April 15 following the end of the tax year in which you made the excess Elective Deferral.

 

Page 2


 

Authorization of Automatic Elective Deferral: Will the Automatic Elective Deferral enrollment Provisions apply?
o Yes      þ No
Automatic Enrollment Provisions: If you fail to make an Elective Deferral election as permitted under the Plan, you will be automatically enrolled in the Plan and your Compensation will be withheld each pay period by an amount equal to                     %. You are permitted to change this percentage at any time.
Automatic Elective Deferral Increases: If you were automatically enrolled in the Plan, and you did not make any changes to the percentage that you were automatically enrolled at, your Elective Deferral percentage will be increased by                     % in the year following the anniversary date of the year that you were automatically enrolled. Such increases will occur on the following dates, to a maximum of                     % of your Compensation.
Matching Contributions: Will your Employer make Matching Contributions?
o Yes, but only on Elective Deferrals           þ No
If Matching Contributions will be made under this Plan, your Employer will make contributions on behalf of Qualifying Contributing Participants making Elective Deferrals based upon the formula selected below.
         
 
  o   An amount equal to                     % of your Elective Deferral which does not exceed % of your Compensation.
 
       
 
  o   An amount equal to the sum of                     % of the portion of your Elective Deferrals which does not exceed                     % of your compensation.
 
       
 
  o   An amount equal to the sum of                     % of the portion of your Elective Deferrals which does not exceed                     % of your Elective Deferrals which does not exceed _______ percent of your Compensation plus _______% of the portion of your Elective Deferrals which exceeds                     % of your Compensation but does not exceed                     % of your Compensation.
 
       
 
  o   An amount equal to:
           
    Elective Deferral Percentage   Matching Percentage  
Base Rate
  Less than or equal to                     %                        %
Tier 2
  Greater than                     , but less than or equal to                     %                        %
Tier 3
  Greater than                     , but less than or equal to                     %                        %
               
    o   An amount, if any, equal to a percentage of your Elective Deferrals which the Employer will determine each year.  
 
             
 
  o   Other formula:      
 
             
 
            .
       
No Matching Contribution will be made in excess of $____ of your Compensation for any Plan Year.
The Matching Contribution will be calculated based on the following frequency:                                          .
Qualifying Contributing Participant: For any Plan Year that a Matching Contribution is made, you will be entitled to receive Matching Contributions if you contribute Elective Deferrals, and if you terminate employment, you work at least 0 Hour(s) of Service during the Plan Year.
Safe Harbor CODA Contributions: Will your Plan follow the Safe Harbor CODA provisions? o Yes þ No
If “yes”, contributions to automatically meet certain nondiscrimination requirements will be made to your Individual Account as follows:
     
o
  Basic Matching Contributions. An amount equal to your Elective Deferrals that does not exceed 3% of your Compensation for the Plan Year, plus 50% of your Elective Deferrals that exceeds 3% of your Compensation for the Plan Year but does not exceed 5% of your Compensation for the Plan Year.
 
   
o
  Enhanced Matching Contributions. An amount equal to                     % of your Elective Deferrals that does not exceed                     % of your Compensation for the Plan Year plus                     % of your Elective Deferrals that exceeds                     % of your Compensation for the Plan Year but does not exceed                     % of your Compensation for the Plan Year.

 

Page 3


 

o   Safe Harbor Nonelective Contributions. If you are a Participant, you will receive Safe Harbor Nonelective Contributions to your Individual Account in an amount equal to 3% of your Compensation for the Plan Year, regardless of whether or not you make Elective Deferrals to the Plan.
Participants entitled to receive Safe Harbor Contributions. Safe Harbor contributions will be made on behalf of:
  o   Eligible Non-Highly compensated employees
 
  o   All eligible employees
The Safe Harbor Contribution will be calculated based on the following frequency:                     .
Automatic Enrollment Safe Harbor CODA Contributions: Will your Plan follow the Automatic Enrollment Safe Harbor CODA provisions? o Yes           þ No
If “yes”, and you fail to make an Elective Deferral election as permitted under the Plan, you will be automatically enrolled in the Plan and your Compensation will be withheld each pay period by an amount equal to                     %.
Automatic Elective Deferral Safe Harbor CODA Increases. If you were automatically enrolled in the Plan, and you did not make any changes to the percentage that you were automatically enrolled at, your Elective Deferral percentage will be increased in the year following the anniversary date of the year that you were automatically enrolled and on January 1 of each of the following years and will result in the following percentages of Compensation being withheld each pay period:
(i)   4% during the first day of the Plan Year following the anniversary date that you were enrolled in the Plan, and
 
(ii)   5% during the Plan Year following the Plan Year in which your Elective Deferral was initially increased as described in (i) above, and
 
(iii)   6% during the Plan Year following the Plan Year in which your Elective Deferral was increased as described in (ii), in (i) above, and
 
(iv)   Your Elective Deferral percentage will continue to increase by                     % on January 1 of each of the following years up to a maximum of                     % of your Compensation.
NOTE: If the annual increase percent is blank, the annual increase will be made in increments of one percent and will equal the minimum amount permitted for the applicable Plan Year.
In addition, contributions to automatically meet certain nondiscrimination requirements will be made to your Individual Account as follows:
o   Basic Matching Contributions. An amount equal to your elective Deferrals that does not exceed 1% of your Compensation for the Plan Year, plus 50% of your Elective Deferrals that exceeds 1% of your Compensation for the Plan Year but does not exceed 6% of your Compensation for the Plan Year.
 
o   Enhanced Matching Contributions. An amount equal to                     % of your Elective Deferrals that does not exceed                     % of your Compensation for the Plan Year plus                     % of your Elective Deferrals that exceeds                     % of your Compensation for the Plan Year but does not exceed                     % of your Compensation for the Plan Year.
 
o   Safe Harbor Nonelective Contributions. If you are a Participant, you will receive Safe Harbor Nonelective Contributions to your Individual Account in an amount equal to 3% percent of your Compensation for the Plan Year, regardless of whether or not you make Elective Deferrals to the Plan.
In addition to the above Safe Harbor Contributions, additional Matching Contributions within Safe Harbor limits will be made as follows.
  o                       percent of your Elective Deferrals that do not exceed                      percent of your Compensation for the Plan Year.
 
  o                        percent of your Elective Deferrals that do not exceed                     percent of your Compensation for the Plan Year.
 
      Plus                      percent of your Elective Deferrals not to exceed                     percent of your Compensation for the Plan Year.

 

Page 4


 

  o   An amount equal to your Elective Deferrals up to a percentage of your Compensation for the Plan Year determined by your Employer from year to year. This percentage will in no event exceed four percent of your Compensation for the Plan Year.
Other Contributions: You can make rollover and/or transfer contributions from a qualified plan, and pre-tax contribution amounts from a Traditional IRA. You cannot make Nondeductible (after-tax) Employee Contributions.
You will be permitted (if eligible) to make Catch-up contributions after December 31, 2001.
Will Matching Contributions be made with regard to Catch-up Contributions? o Yes þ No If “yes” is selected, the Matching Contribution formula identified on your General Information Sheet will be followed.
SECTION FOUR: VESTING AND FORFEITURES
See Section titled Vesting and Forfeitures of the SPD Booklet.
You will always be fully vested in all contributions derived from Elective Deferrals, Qualified Nonelective Contributions (if any), Safe Harbor Basic Matching Contributions (if any), and Safe Harbor Nonelective Contributions (if any).
Your rollover and transfer contributions, if allowed, are 100% vested immediately. The vesting schedules below apply to your Employer Profit Sharing Contributions and Matching Contributions.
     
YEARS OF
VESTING
SERVICE
  VESTED PERCENTAGE FOR EMPLOYER PROFIT SHARING CONTRIBUTIONS AND MATCHING CONTRIBUTIONS
                             
Profit
              Option 4 o       Option 5 o    
Sharing
  Option 1 o   Option 2 o   Option 3 þ   (Complete if chosen)       (Complete if chosen)    
 
                           
                             

Matching
 
Option 1 o
 
Option 2 o
 
Option 3 þ
      Option 4 o
(Complete if chosen)
      Option 5 o
(Complete if chosen)
                                                         
Less than One
    100 %     0 %     0 %            %              %                %              %
1
    100 %     0 %     0 %            %              %                %              %
2
    100 %     0 %     20 %            % (not less than 20%)            % (not less than 20%)              %              %
3
    100 %     100 %     40 %            % (not less than 40%)            % (not less than 40%)     100 %     100 %
4
    100 %     100 %     60 %            % (not less than 60%)            % (not less than 60%)     100 %     100 %
5
    100 %     100 %     80 %            % (not less than 80%)            % (not less than 80%)     100 %     100 %
6
    100 %     100 %     100 %   100 %     100 %       100 %     100 %
     
NOTE:   If no option is selected, Option 3 will be deemed to be selected for both Employer Profit Sharing Contributions and Matching Contributions.
Vesting Schedule for Automatic Enrollment Safe Harbor CODA Contributions (if applicable)
                 
    Vested Percentage        
Years of Vesting Service   Option 1 o     Option 2 o  
Less Than One
    0 %                          %
1
    0 %                          %
2
    100 %                          %
If no option is selected, Option 1 will apply
Hours Required for Vesting: The number of Hours of Service you must complete to be credited with a Year of Vesting Service is 1,000. The number of Hours of Service you must exceed to avoid a Break in Vesting Service is 500.

 

Page 5


 

Employees shall be given credit for vesting purposes for Hours of Service with the following predecessor employer(s):
Exclusion of Certain Years of Vesting Service: All of your years of service will be counted for vesting of your Individual Account except the following (if checked):
þ   Years of Service before you turn age 18.
 
o   Years of Service before the Employer maintained this Plan or a predecessor plan.
Forfeitures: Forfeitures of Employer Profit Sharing and Matching Contributions will be applied to reduce Employer Contributions.
SECTION FIVE: DISTRIBUTIONS AND LOANS
See Section titled Distribution of Benefits, Claims Procedure and Loans of the SPD Booklet.
Distributions: You can withdraw your Individual Account if you terminate employment before Normal Retirement Age, you become disabled, or you reach Normal Retirement Age but continue to work. You can request a distribution from the Plan of your Elected Deferral in the Plan upon attainment of age 59 1/2, even if you continue to work.
Unless one of the situations listed above exists, you cannot withdraw your Individual Account attributable to Employer Profit Sharing and Matching contributions, rollover contributions, or transfer contributions unless you are 100% vested.
Can you withdraw Elective Deferrals on account of hardship? o Yes þ No
Automatic Enrollment Plans: If you have been automatically enrolled in the Plan, will you be able to request a distribution of your Elective Deferrals that were deducted from your Compensation? o Yes o No
þ N/A
If “yes”, you must make this request within 90 days of the initial Elective Deferral deducted from your Compensation.
Loans: Can you request to receive loans from the Plan? þ Yes o No (If “yes”, refer to the Loan Disclosure and Basic Loan Agreement)
In-Service Withdrawals – Plans may permit employees to take a distribution of their matching and profit sharing contributions even if they are actively employed with the company. Is this option available in your plan? þ Yes o No
If yes, the following conditions apply (check all that apply):
o   Employer profit sharing and matching contributions may be withdrawn as of the Normal Retirement Age.
 
þ   Employer profit sharing and matching contributions may be withdrawn as of age 59.5.
 
þ   Participant must be 100% vested.
 
o   Participant must have worked                      years of service.
 
o   Withdrawals limited to                      per plan or                      per year.
Form of Distribution: You may request a distribution of the vested portion of your Individual Account in the form of a Lump Sum, Installment Payment, or Annuity Contracts.
Involuntary Cash Out: - If your account balance exceeds $1,000, but is less than $5,000, the Plan Administrator may instruct that you receive your distribution in the form of a single sum payment. When determining the value of the account rollover contributions will be included.
REA Safe Harbor/Qualified Joint and Survivor Annuity: The REA Safe Harbor provisions of the Plan do apply.

 

Page 6


 

SECTION SIX: DEFINITIONS
See Section titled Definitions of the SPD Booklet.
Plan Year: The Plan Year ends on December 31.
Hours of Service Equivalencies: Service will be determined on the basis of actual hours you are, or entitled to be, paid.
Compensation: Compensation for each Participant will be determined over the Plan Year. Compensation includes Elective Deferrals made according to a Salary Reduction Agreement. Generally, and unless otherwise required by the Plan or the Internal Revenue Code or Regulations, Compensation will mean only the Compensation paid to the Employee after becoming a Participant.
Normal Retirement Age: Normal Retirement Age under the Plan is age 65.
Early Retirement Age: An Early Retirement Age under the Plan is met by attaining age N/A and N/A Years of Vesting.
SECTION SEVEN: MISCELLANEOUS
See Sections titled Miscellaneous of the SPD Booklet.
         
Can you direct the investment of your Individual Account?   þ Yes   o No
     
INVESTMENT DIRECTION
  (If “yes”, see your Plan Administrator for rules and procedures that will apply.)
Plan Administrator: The Employer is the Plan Administrator. If the Employer is not the Plan Administrator, additional information will be contained in this section or attached in a separate addendum.
Agent for Service of Legal Process
Name of Adopting Employer Nocopi Technologies, Inc.
Address 9C Portland Road
City W. Conshohocken          State PA           Zip 19428
Telephone 610-834-9600
     
Note:  
The Agent for Service of Legal Process is the person upon whom any legal papers can be served. Service of legal process may be made upon a Plan Trustee or the Employer/Plan Administrator.
SECTION EIGHT: TRUSTEE
Name of Trustee Rudolph Lutterschmidt
Title                                         
Address 9C Portland Road
City W. Conshohocken           State PA           Zip 19428
Telephone 610-834-9600

 

Page 7

EX-10.20 3 c98501exv10w20.htm EXHIBIT 10.20 Exhibit 10.20
Exhibit 10.20
Patent License Agreement
This Patent License Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and effective as of January 1, 2010 (the “Effective Date”) between Nocopi Technologies, Inc., 9-C Portland Road, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania 19428 (the “Licensor”) and Elmer’s Products, Inc., c/o 3630 Plaza Drive, #6, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108 (the “Licensee”). For avoidance of doubt, this Agreement shall only apply to products sold through Licensee’s Giddy Up/Color Loco division, and not to products sold under the Elmer’s brand which are governed by separate agreements between Licensor and Licensee.
1. Background.
Licensor is the owner of the patent rights set forth in Exhibit A hereto, including all continuations, divisionals, continuations-in-part, reissues, and any other related U.S. or foreign patents (collectively “the Licensed Patents”), pertaining to Licensor’s Rub-It & Color ink technology (the “Patented Ink Technology”).
Licensee wishes to renew the license from Licensor to enable Licensee to print, have printed, market, distribute, and sell (1) children’s soft-cover books, activity/art kits, stationery, stickers, sticker books, and related items of merchandise set forth in Exhibit B hereto, each of which having a suggested retail price in excess of $2.50 per item (collectively, the “Over $2.50 Books & Kits,”), (2) children’s soft-cover books, activity/art kits, stationery, sticker books and related items of merchandise having a suggested retail price below $2.50 per item (collectively, the “Under $2.50 Books & Kits,”), and (3) Activating Marker Kits. “Activating Marker Kits” are defined as children’s merchandise such as soft cover books, activity/art kits, stationery, stickers, and sticker books, whether or not the suggested retail price is in excess of or below $2.50 per item, utilizing Licensor’s Patented Ink Technology that is marketed to be activated solely by use of an activating marker, pen or other writing device (collectively, a “Marker”), and not by scratching or rubbing. If an item of merchandise includes a Marker and is marketed to permit or enable the Patented Ink Technology to be activated (i) solely by scratching or rubbing, or (ii) both by scratching or rubbing and by use of a Marker, it shall not be considered an Activating Marker Kit hereunder.
For ease of reference, the Over $2.50 Books & Kits, the Under $2.50 Books & Kits and the Activating Marker Kits are referred to collectively in this Agreement as the “Licensed Merchandise.”
Placemats sold on a stand-alone basis (i.e., without being part of a book or kit) (collectively, the “Excluded Products”) are not Licensed Merchandise (regardless of their suggested retail price), and are expressly excluded from, and outside the scope of, this Agreement. Licensee shall have no rights with respect to any Excluded Products except with Licensor’s prior written consent which may be granted or withheld by Licensor in its sole discretion.

 

 


 

Licensor and Licensee (collectively, the “Parties”, each sometimes a “Party”) wish to enter into this Agreement for the purpose of memorializing their understandings and agreements related to the Patented Ink Technology.
2. License Grant
Licensor grants to Licensee, on a personal and non-transferable basis, the right and license (the “License”) to use the Patented Ink Technology solely to print, have printed market, distribute, and sell the Licensed Merchandise to retailers, wholesalers and distributors located throughout the world; provided, however, that Licensee shall not print or cause the Licensed Merchandise to be printed at facilities located within any portion of the territory described on Exhibit C hereto (the “No-print Territory”).
Licensee’s license within North America and South America (the “Exclusive Territory”) shall be an exclusive license. Unless and until this Agreement is terminated, Licensor shall not, and shall not license any third party to, print, have printed, market, distribute or sell Licensed Merchandise containing the Patented Ink Technology within the Exclusive Territory. Subject to Section 5, nothing in this Agreement, however, shall limit Licensor’s rights to, and to license any third party to, use, manufacture and sell the Patented Ink Technology in connection with or with respect to any markets, product lines or territories in which Licensee does not then hold exclusive rights hereunder.
Without prejudice to any other limitations set forth elsewhere in this Agreement, Licensee agrees that (1) Licensee shall have no right to print or have printed Licensed Merchandise containing the Patented Ink Technology at facilities located within the No-print Territory, (2) Licensee shall not sublicense, assign or otherwise transfer the License to any third party, (3) Licensee will cause Licensed Merchandise containing the Patented Ink Technology to be printed only by third party printers who have been previously approved in writing by Licensor (collectively, “Approved Printers,” each an “Approved Printer”), and (4) Licensee will not cause or permit Licensed Merchandise containing the Patented Ink Technology to be printed by any third party other than an Approved Printer. Licensor hereby approves those printers identified in Exhibit D hereto as Approved Printers and agrees that it will not unreasonably delay or withhold its approval to other parties proposed by Licensee as Approved Printers. Licensor reserves the right to withdraw any previously-granted approval to an Approved Printer, including, without limitation, any printer identified in Exhibit D, if (i) information comes to Licensor’s attention that, in Licensor’s reasonable opinion, places in jeopardy such Approved Printer’s capability or intention to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement or any related Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement, or (ii) such Approved Printer suffers a material adverse change in its financial position or trading reputation which, in Licensor’s reasonable opinion, affects its capability or intention to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement, and (iii) in either such event, Licensee fails, within fifteen (15) business days after written notice from Licensor, which notice shall include the information known or reasonably believed by Licensor, to provide written assurances related thereto that are satisfactory to Licensor.

 

2


 

No rights or licenses are hereby granted or implied under this Agreement to any patents of Licensor other than the Licensed Patents for the Licensed Merchandise. The rights and licenses herein granted convey no rights to Licensee to use or register any trademarks or trade names of Licensor or to use the name of Licensor or Licensor’s “Rub-It & Color” trademark in any manner whatsoever in connection with the Licensed Merchandise.
Notwithstanding the immediately preceding subparagraph, Licensor and Licensee agree that all Licensed Merchandise containing the Patented Ink Technology marketed, distributed, or sold by Licensee shall be marked with the appropriate patent notices and numbers identifying Licensor as the patent owner as reasonably specified by Licensor in writing.
3. Annual Royalties Based on Shipments of Licensed Merchandise.
In consideration of the rights and license granted to it with respect to the Licensed Merchandise, Licensee shall pay to Licensor an annual royalty (the “Annual Royalty”). The Annual Royalty will be payable in quarterly installments (each, a “Quarterly Royalty”), based upon the invoice price less returns, allowances, trade discounts, retail co-op fees, markdowns and commissions, which will, in the aggregate, not exceed ten percent (10%) of the invoice price, of all Licensed Merchandise containing the Patented Ink Technology billed and shipped by Licensee during the preceding quarter (“Quarterly Shipments”). The quarters upon which the Quarterly Royalties and Shipments are based shall be: April 1 through June 30; July 1 through September 30; October 1 through December 31; and January 1 through March 31 (each a “Quarter”).
For Over $2.50 Books & Kits and Under $2.50 Books & Kits incorporating the Patented Ink Technology that are sold within the Exclusive Territory, the royalty rate payable by Licensee to Licensor under this Agreement will be five percent (5%) of the Quarterly Shipments. For Activating Marker Kits incorporating the Patented Ink Technology that are sold within the Exclusive Territory, the royalty rate payable by Licensee to Licensor under this Agreement will be three percent (3%) of the Quarterly Shipments. For any Licensed Merchandise incorporating the Patented Ink Technology that Licensee sells to distributors, wholesalers and retailers for resale to consumers located outside the Exclusive Territory, the royalty rate payable by Licensee to Licensor under this Agreement will be two percent (2%) of the Quarterly Shipments.
Each Quarterly Royalty shall be due on or before the last day of the calendar month following the Quarter during which the applicable Licensed Merchandise has been billed and shipped. The amounts payable for each Quarterly Royalty will be subject to credits for prepayments as provided in Section 4. Time is of the essence as to all royalty payments due hereunder. Royalties unpaid for more than ten (10) business days after due date shall bear interest at the prime rate (as reported by The Wall Street Journal) plus 2%, or, if less, at the maximum allowable legal rate.

 

3


 

The Quarterly Royalty for each Quarter shall be calculated at the net invoice price of all Licensed Merchandise containing the Patented Ink Technology billed and shipped during that Quarter, from which net invoice price there shall be no credits, allowances or deductions in excess of the amount expressly authorized in this subparagraph on account of any Licensed Merchandise returns, and regardless of (i) the basis of compensation, if any, to Licensee, (ii) whether sold to affiliated or independent third parties, and (iii) whether the Licensed Merchandise is sold on a stand-alone basis or as a component or constituent of other products. In computing the Quarterly Royalty, the Licensee may deduct actual and good faith returns accepted from, and actual and good faith allowances granted to, Licensee’s retail customers or distributors for cooperative advertising, placement fees, pallet programs and the like up to, but not exceeding ten percent (10%) in the aggregate of the total amount invoiced to the customer or distributor.
With the Quarterly Royalty for each Quarter hereunder, Licensee shall provide Licensor with a written report (each, a “Report”) stating the number of shipments, net invoice price per shipment of all Licensed Merchandise containing the Patented Ink Technology that were made during that Quarter, separately reported as to sales of Over $2.50 Books & Kits, Under $2.50 Books & Kits, and Activating Marker Kits both within and outside the Exclusive Territory, and, if requested by Licensor, other supporting documentation in sufficient detail so as to enable Licensor to verify the amount of the Quarterly Royalty due for that Quarter, including documentation as to any deductions made for returns or allowances for such invoices. Licensee further agrees to keep and preserve true and accurate records and books showing all shipments and net invoice prices of Licensed Merchandise containing the Patented Ink Technology for at least two (2) years, and to permit such books and records to be examined, audited and photocopied from time to time (but not more frequently than once in any consecutive twelve month period) by an accountant chosen by Licensor, during Licensee’s normal business hours and to the extent necessary to verify the validity of such Reports and Quarterly Royalties hereunder. If, upon any such inspection, a discrepancy of greater than five percent (5%) is found between the Quarterly Royalties paid by Licensee and the actual Quarterly Royalties due for such Quarter, then Licensee shall, without prejudice to Licensor’s other rights hereunder, reimburse Licensor for all reasonable costs incurred in conducting such inspection including travel, hotel, subsistence and fees.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Annual Royalties payable by Licensee to Licensor with respect to Licensed Merchandise hereunder may be subject to credits and adjustments, but only to the extent expressly set forth in the remaining subparagraphs of this section 3.
For the customers of Licensed Merchandise within the Exclusive Territory now or hereafter identified on Exhibit F hereto (the “Special Rate Customers”), Licensor shall, upon Licensee’s submission of satisfactory supporting documentation, allow Licensee to pay royalties calculated at the rate of two percent (2%) of Quarterly Shipments instead of the royalty rate that would otherwise be due, as set forth in the preceding paragraphs. This special rate will be authorized by Licensor if made necessary because of Licensee’s demonstrated reduced margins on Licensed Merchandise sales to the Special Rate Customers initially listed in Exhibit F. The Licensee may from time to time propose to the Licensor additional customers to be added to Exhibit F as Special Rate Customers and, in so doing, shall submit satisfactory supporting documentation of the reduced margins on Licensed Merchandise sales to such customers. No additional customers will be added to Exhibit F as Special Rate Customers unless agreed to by Licensor in writing, which agreement will not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

 

4


 

Any reductions to or discounts from contractually-stated royalty rates that are granted by Licensor under the preceding subparagraph of this section 3 will not diminish or decrease Licensee’s Minimum Annual Royalties set forth in section 4 below. Licensor’s granting of a royalty discount to a customer listed on Exhibit F in one instance shall not constitute a waiver or estoppel precluding Licensor from refusing to grant a similar or any other discount in any other instance that does not warrant a discount in Licensor’s reasonable judgment based upon the circumstances presented by Licensee’s supporting documentation.
The names of Licensee’s customers set forth on Exhibit F may be modified or supplemented from time to time with the Parties’ mutual written consent; provided, however, that at no time may more than ten percent (10%) of Licensee’s then active retail customers (i.e., retail customers to whom Licensee has made bona fide shipments of Licensed Merchandise within the previous 6 months) be listed on Exhibit F.
4. Minimum Annual Royalties Based on Shipments of Licensed Merchandise.
Each twelve (12) month period from January 1 through December 31 shall be referred to as an “Annual Period.” Licensee shall actively promote the sale of Licensed Merchandise while this Agreement remains in effect, and shall consult with Licensor from time to time and keep Licensor apprised regarding to extent and focus of such promotional efforts.
With respect to Licensee’s sales of Licensed Merchandise within the Exclusive Territory, Licensee guarantees to pay Licensor a minimum royalty of at least Two Hundred Thousand Dollars ($200,000.00) during each Annual Period (the “Minimum Annual Royalty”).
Any Quarterly Royalties paid by Licensee to Licensor on account of actual shipments of Licensed Merchandise during an Annual Period shall be credited against the applicable Minimum Annual Royalty due hereunder for that Annual Period. Licensee shall be entitled to a credit against the Minimum Annual Royalty due for subsequent Annual Periods to the extent Licensee’s actual Annual Royalties earned during the preceding Annual Period(s) exceeded its Minimum Annual Royalty for such Annual Period(s).
Without prejudice to Licensor’s other rights and remedies under this Agreement, if Licensee fails to generate an amount at least equal to the Minimum Annual Royalty in any Annual Period from (i) sales of Licensed Merchandise within the Exclusive Territory, and (ii) any credits from prior Annual Period(s) for exceeding its Minimum Annual Royalty for such Annual Period(s), Licensee shall at the time of submission of the Report and the Quarterly Royalty for the last Quarter of that Annual Period pay Licensor an aggregate amount sufficient to satisfy the unpaid portion of the Minimum Annual Royalty (the “Royalty Shortfall Payment”).

 

5


 

The Royalty Shortfall Payments that the Licensee is required to pay for any Annual Period, since not based on actual sales of the Licensed Merchandise, will be recorded as prepayments (the “Prepaid Royalties”) that will thereafter be applied as a credit against the Quarterly Royalties next payable with respect to actual sales of Licensed Merchandise. But in determining whether the Annual Royalty for an Annual Period meets the Minimum Annual Royalty, any Quarterly Royalties payable for actual sales of Licensed Merchandise during the current Annual Period that were satisfied by means of a credit of Prepaid Royalties from a prior Annual Period will not be included in the count of the Annual Royalty for the current Annual Period.
If the Annual Royalty payable on the basis of Licensee’s actual sales of Licensed Merchandise within the Exclusive Territory for any Annual Period in the aggregate is less than $200,000.00, then, without prejudice to its other rights, and upon written notice delivered to Licensee within sixty (60) days after the end of that Annual Period, Licensor shall be authorized and permitted at its sole option either (i) to terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 13 effective ninety (90) days after the date of delivery of that notice, or (ii) to license the Patented Ink Technology to other third parties within the Exclusive Territory for their use with children’s merchandise comparable to the Licensed Merchandise during the remainder of the Term, in which event Licensee’s rights and license within the formerly Exclusive Territory shall become non-exclusive, without affecting any of the Parties’ other rights and obligations hereunder, except that Licensee shall not be required to pay any Minimum Annual Royalties with respect to any billings and shipments that take place after its former Exclusive Territory has become non-exclusive.
5. Licensee’s Right of First Offer
If Licensor at any time develops and wishes to introduce into the marketplace new inks, patents or inventions for children’s books and activity games/kits having a suggested retail price in excess of $2.50 per item (“New Developments”), Licensor shall first offer, in writing, to license the New Developments to Licensee, at Licensee’s option, upon terms and conditions that are set forth in writing from Licensor to Licensee. Licensee shall have the right and option, exercisable within thirty (30) days after receipt of such offer, to send written notice to Licensor that Licensee intends to accept such offer. If Licensee accepts the offer, the Parties shall promptly negotiate the terms and conditions of the written license agreement and the signing of such license agreement must occur within sixty (60) days from the date of notice of Licensee’s approval, otherwise the first offer rights of Licensee hereunder shall expire.
If Licensee does not elect to accept such offer within the 30-day timeframe, or if the parties are unable, despite good faith efforts, to execute a written license agreement within thirty (30) days after the Licensee has delivered to the Licensor its written acceptance of the offer, then Licensor may license the New Developments to a bona fide third party; provided that (1) an agreement is reached within one hundred twenty (120) days after the expiration of, or rejection by, Licensee of the offer, and (2) the third party’s license is at a royalty and upon other terms and conditions are the same as or more favorable to the Licensor than those offered in writing to Licensee.

 

6


 

Failure by Licensee on any occasion to exercise the right of first offer afforded herein shall not constitute a waiver of Licensee’s right to exercise such right of first offer on any later occasion. If any sale to the third party does not take place within the timeframe set forth above, then Licensee’s right of first offer will apply to each and every subsequent proposed license of New Developments.
If Licensee elects to accept Licensor’s offer to license the New Developments, the license agreement offered by Licensor to Licensee shall include similar assurances, undertakings, representations, warranties and commitments by the Licensee to those set forth in this Agreement, including without limitation annual royalties, minimum annual royalties and shortfall payments that are established based upon the reasonable expectations of the Licensor and the Licensee as to the commercial prospects for the New Development.
6. Licensor’s Sales of Ink to Licensee’s Approved Printers
The parties contemplate that Licensee will cause the Licensed Merchandise to be printed by one or more Approved Printers. Licensor shall have no legal obligation to authorize a third party to serve as an Approved Printer hereunder unless such third party agrees (1) to purchase all required Rub-It & Color ink (the “Ink”) from Licensor under and pursuant to the General Terms and Conditions of Sale attached hereto as Exhibit G, (2) to meet and satisfy all written and reasonable specifications issued by Licensor with respect to the handling, storage and use of the Ink, (3) to provide access to its printing facilities from time to time sufficient to enable Licensor to assess compliance with Licensor’s written specifications and quality control procedures, (4) to execute, together with Licensee, and abide by the Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure Agreement (the “NDA”) attached hereto as Exhibit H, and (5) not to print any Licensed Merchandise containing the Ink at a facility located within the No-print Territory.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the General Terms and Conditions of Sale, all Ink sold by Licensor hereunder shall be paid for by the Approved Printer (or by Licensee, if the Approved Printer fails to remit any amount in a timely manner) as follows: One half (50%) upon the date of delivery to the port of entry or airport then servicing the facilities of the Approved Printer, and one half (50%) within thirty (30) days after the date of such delivery. Licensor shall use commercially reasonable efforts, and in any event efforts that are at least comparable to those it uses to protect its own confidential information, not to disclose, or permit the disclosure of, the identities of Licensee’s Approved Printer(s) to any of Licensee’s known competitors.
To the extent that there are any inconsistencies between the provisions in the General Terms and Conditions of Sale and the provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement will prevail.

 

7


 

Within a reasonable time period after the license of any New Developments to Licensee, Licensor agrees to have independent laboratories perform a reasonable number of testings and to provide written certifications to Licensee and any Approved Printer that then-current samples of the Ink and the then-current Ink’s chemical formulations for such New Developments satisfy (i) the requirements of not being toxic or a skin/eye irritant as defined in 16 CFR §1500.3(b)(5) and (8), (ii) the requirements of ASTM Standard F-963 for heavy metals content and lead content pursuant to 16 CFR §1303, (iii) ASTM Standard D-4236, (iv) Toxological Risk Assessment (Acute Eye/Skin/Oral Toxicity Evaluation), (v) USP 51 Preservative Effectiveness, (vi) USP 61 Microbial Cleanliness and (iv) any other children’s safety standards to which Licensor submits the Ink for testing. If Licensee desires Licensor to obtain additional testings and/or certifications beyond those that are customarily provided by Licensor or that, in Licensor’s reasonable opinion, are excessive in comparison to the royalties being generated under this Agreement, Licensor reserves the right to require Licensee to share equally in the costs of such additional testings and certifications.
After (i) execution of the NDA and this Agreement, and (ii) Licensor’s approval of any Approved Printer, Licensor shall provide samples of the Ink to Licensee’s Approved Printer, and shall also make a technical representative available at a mutually convenient time to provide reasonable introductory technological assistance to Licensee’s Approved Printer with regard to use of the Ink. Licensee shall reimburse Licensor for one half (50%) of such representative’s actual travel, lodging and subsistence expenses, plus his other reasonable out-of-pocket expenses thereby incurred.
Licensor agrees to sell its Ink to Licensee’s Approved Printers at the initial rate of between $12.50 to $18.50 (USD) per pound, depending on Ink color and quantity and packaging requirements. Licensor shall not increase the price for the Ink during the initial twelve (12) months in which this Agreement remains in effect and, thereafter, by written notice delivered to the Approved Printer and the Licensee at least sixty (60) days prior to the date that the price increase is effective, may increase the price for the Ink on an annual basis subject to the limitation that the increase may not by more than the greater of (i) ten percent (10%) of the price applicable for the prior per year or (ii) the actual increases in the costs of raw materials to produce the Ink on a dollar-for-dollar basis in accordance with appropriate supporting documentation. Licensor agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to limit the increases in the costs of raw materials required to produce the Ink.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time Licensor is unable to manufacture or deliver to Licensee’s Approved Printers the Ink meeting the parties’ agreed-upon written specifications and in sufficient quantities to meet Licensee’s needs for its use, then, after giving Licensor written notice and at least thirty (30) calendar days in which to remedy the unavailability or non-compliance with such specifications, Licensee shall be permitted to purchase non-infringing replacement ink from a third party manufacturer, until such time as Licensor can manufacture (i) enough of the Ink to meet Licensee’s needs or (ii) Inks that meets Licensee’s specifications.

 

8


 

7. Insurance and Indemnification
Licensee shall maintain throughout the Term of this Agreement and for two (2) years thereafter insurance policies with reputable insurers with an AM Best rating of ‘A’ who are satisfactory to Licensor, including Comprehensive General Liability, and Product Liability, with a minimum limit of $5,000,000.00. To the extent not paid by the Approved Printer or its insurance carriers, Licensee, to the best of its financial capabilities, will indemnify, defend and hold Licensor harmless from and against any liabilities, claims and damages of any kind, and all costs, including reasonable attorney’s fees, arising from or relating to an Approved Printer’s improper disclosure, dissemination or use of the Ink or the Patented Ink Technology in violation of this Agreement, any NDA entered into by Licensee or the Approved Printer, or applicable patent and other intellectual property laws.
Licensee’s liability to Licensor under this Agreement shall not be limited to Licensee’s insurance coverage. Licensee shall provide Licensor with a certificate of insurance evidencing the required coverage, and showing Licensor as a named additional insured, and will provide at least thirty (30) days prior written notice of policy cancellation or modification. Licensee shall also provide Licensor with updated certificates of insurance on the renewal anniversary of any policies required under this Agreement.
8. Representations, Limited Warranty and Damage Limitations
Licensor warrants that it is the owner and/or patent holder of the Licensed Patents, and that Licensee’s use of the Patented Ink Technology as authorized by this Agreement will not violate or infringe upon the patents issued by any country in North America, and Licensor represents to the best of its current actual knowledge but without specific investigation Licensee’s use of the Patented Ink Technology as authorized by this Agreement will not violate or infringe upon the patents issued by any other country in the Exclusive Territory or any proprietary rights of any third parties. Licensor warrants that each of the Licensed Patents is as of the date of this Agreement in full force and effect and that the Licensor will during the continuance of the term of this Agreement take all actions that are necessary or appropriate to maintain those Licensed Patents in full force and effect. Licensor shall defend at its own expense, with counsel of its choosing, any third-party action, suit, claim or proceeding (“Claim”) brought against Licensee alleging that the Licensee’s use of the Patented Ink Technology as authorized by this Agreement infringes upon or misappropriates any such third-party’s rights under any patent issued by any country in North America, any patent issued by any other country in the Exclusive Territory which by written proof is shown to have been known by Licensor as of the Effective Date, or other proprietary rights. Licensee may elect at its sole expense to participate in such defense through its legal counsel. Licensor shall pay, to the best of its financial capabilities, any damages finally awarded against Licensee in connection with such Claim or constituting a settlement of such Claim. Licensor shall not be required to pay any settlement that it has not approved. If infringement is held to exist, Licensor shall, at its own expense and its sole option, either supply to

 

9


 

Licensee suitable replacements for the infringing material, or Licensor may terminate this Agreement. In either instance, to the best of its financial capabilities, Licensor shall be liable to the Licensee for the damages and expenses incurred by the Licensee solely as a result of such infringement, including, without limitation, any damages that result from the option elected by the Licensor pursuant to the preceding sentence. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the obligations of Licensor under this subparagraph shall be inapplicable to any Claim that alleges, in whole or in part, that Licensee printed or caused any Licensed Merchandise to be printed at facilities located within the No-print Territory, and shall be contingent upon Licensee promptly notifying Licensor in writing of such Claim, providing all necessary information and fully cooperating as reasonably required by the Licensor, at Licensee’s expense, in the defense of such Claim.
Licensee shall notify Licensor of any activities by third parties that may constitute a potential infringement or be in violation of Licensor’s Patented Ink Technology and which may from time to time come to the attention of Licensee. If such third party is a customer of Licensee, Licensee shall notify the third party customer of the existence of Licensor’s Patented Ink Technology and Licensee’s role as exclusive licensee for the manufacture of Licensed Merchandise containing the Patented Ink Technology in the Exclusive Territory. If the third party customer promptly agrees in writing to refrain from using the Patented Ink Technology except in Licensed Merchandise purchased from Licensee, Licensor will take no further action against the third party customer.
If other third parties’ activities may constitute a potential infringement of the Patented Ink Technology, Licensor shall be responsible for taking the steps it deems appropriate to address such infringement, including at Licensor’s sole discretion the institution of legal proceedings against such third party. Such litigation shall be under the sole control of the Licensor. Licensor may consult with the Licensee on the conduct of such litigation and the Licensee agrees to reasonably cooperate with the Licensor in connection with such litigation, for example, by providing at its own expense any information within its possession reasonably required for use in such litigation. Any award or settlement of damages as a result of such litigation shall belong to the Licensor. This provision shall not preclude the Licensee from separately seeking recovery from the third party of damages incurred by the Licensee as a result of such infringement; provided, however, that Licensee shall not institute any action seeking such a separate recovery from a third party without reasonable prior written notice to Licensor.
If any material portion of the Patented Ink Technology is found to be invalid or unenforceable by an appellate court of competent jurisdiction, or by a lower court of competent jurisdiction whose decision Licensor elects not to appeal in a timely manner, or if a settlement of such litigation occurs which in effect eliminates the patent protection on the Patented Ink Technology, then either Party may elect to terminate this Agreement by written notice to the other Party. Any award or settlement of damages as a result of third party litigation challenging the patent protection of the Patented Ink Technology which results in payment to such third party shall be the responsibility of Licensor unless it can be shown that the infringement was caused by Licensee using the Patented Ink Technology in a manner inconsistent with the intended uses set forth in this Agreement.

 

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Licensor makes the following limited warranty (“Limited Warranty”) to Licensee with respect to the Patented Ink Technology and the Ink: (1) for press-ready one-part Ink (i.e., Ink that requires no combining of parts or additives prior to printing) for a period ending upon the first to occur of either (a) ninety (90) days after the date of manufacture, or (b) thirty (30) days after being opened, and (2) for non press-ready two-part Ink (i.e., Ink which is supplied in parts and requires combining or additional additives prior to printing) for a period ending upon the first to occur of either (a) one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of manufacture, or (b) thirty (30) days after being opened (either, the “Warranty Period”), the Inks will print on standard flexographic presses in substantial conformance with (a) any written specifications for such Inks previously agreed to in writing by the parties, and (b) any Ink samples previously furnished by Licensor to Licensee, if applied to similar substrates and handled, stored and used in compliance with Licensor’s written specifications. Insignificant printing non-conformances that do not materially adversely affect the marketability of the Licensed Merchandise are expressly excluded from this Limited Warranty, as are non-conformances that cannot be verified and reproduced by Licensor.
Licensor shall not be responsible for any failure of the Inks to perform as warranted if such failure is caused by Licensee’s or its Approved Printer’s misuse or improper use of the Ink, by problems with third party products not provided by Licensor, by the Inks being applied to substrates not authorized by Licensor, or by the Inks not being handled or stored in compliance with Licensor’s directions and specifications. Subject to the provisions below for indemnity from third-party claims, Licensor’s sole obligation and Licensee’s sole and exclusive remedy for any breach of the foregoing Limited Warranty will be, upon Licensee’s return of the non-conforming Ink to Licensor during the Warranty Period and Licensor’s verifying the non-conformance, for Licensor to furnish replacement Ink at no additional cost to Licensee. Any replacement Ink will be warranted for the Warranty Period set forth above.
Notwithstanding Licensor’s right to undertake quality control inspections, Licensee understands that Licensor shall be under no obligation to conduct any such inspections or to advise Licensor if its Approved Printer is not performing in accordance with Licensor’s written specifications. Licensee acknowledges that Licensee is solely responsible for determining the compliance by its Approved Printer with such written specifications. Licensee acknowledges that its investments in implementing this Agreement are made at Licensee’s own risk and are the result of Licensee’s independent evaluation of the Ink, this Agreement, and the business opportunities presented hereby.

 

11


 

Subject to the provisions below for indemnity from third-party claims, neither Licensor nor any of its affiliates, agents or representatives will have any responsibility or liability for any claims, demands, losses, injuries or damages of any kind, including but not limited to punitive or consequential damages (such as, without limitation, the cost to reprint books or replace merchandise, lost profits, lost revenues, lost savings or other economic losses), caused to or suffered in any manner by Licensee resulting from (i) breach of the foregoing Limited Warranty, (ii) Licensee’s marketing, distribution and sale of Licensed Merchandise containing the Patented Ink Technology, or (iii) Licensee’s or any third party’s use of the Licensed Merchandise containing the Patented Ink Technology, whether or not Licensor has been advised of the possibility of such damages, and whether based on breach of contract, warranty or statutory duty, negligence, strict liability or other tort, principles of indemnity, contribution or otherwise. As an exception, but only to the extent actually paid by any insurance coverage under policies then held by Licensor, the Licensor will indemnify, defend (through counsel selected by Licensor or its insurer) and will hold the Licensee harmless from and against loss, liability, damage or expense (including, without limitation, attorney fees [if no defense is provided] and related expenses) suffered or incurred by the Licensee as a result of claims made by third parties against the Licensee that are solely the result of a breach by the Licensor of its Limited Warranty. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Licensor’s obligations in the preceding sentence shall be inapplicable to any claims that allege, in whole or in part, that Licensee printed or caused any Licensed Merchandise to be printed at facilities located within the No-print Territory.
Except for the Limited Warranty set forth above and except for Licensor’s warranty regarding patents of third parties set forth above, neither Licensor nor any of its affiliates, agents or representatives makes or gives any warranty, express or implied with respect to the Patented Ink Technology or the Ink, including but not limited to implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose, and Licensee hereby indemnifies Licensor and its affiliates, agents and representatives and shall save them and hold them harmless against any claims, demands, losses or damages of whatsoever kind caused to or suffered by them as a result of Licensee’s marketing, distribution and sale of Licensed Merchandise containing the Patented Ink Technology.
9. No Sublicensing by Licensee
This Agreement is personal to Licensee and may not be assigned or otherwise transferred by Licensee, except (i) to an entity wholly owned and controlled by Licensee, or (ii) to an entity in which the Licensee is merged or (iii) to an entity to which the Licensee sells or otherwise transfers substantially all of its assets and its good will, and (iv) in any such event, prompt written notice and contemporaneous payment of a $75,000.00 transfer fee (the “Transfer Fee”) to Licensor; provided, however, Licensor shall have the option in its sole and unfettered discretion to reject the proposed assignment or transfer by written notice to Licensee within thirty (30) days after receipt of Licensee’s written notice and the Transfer Fee, in which event, Licensor shall promptly return the Transfer Fee and this Agreement shall terminate.

 

12


 

10. Assignment of Patents
Subject to Licensor’s right in its sole and unfettered discretion to sell or otherwise transfer its Licensed Patents to an entity into which Licensor is merged or an entity that acquires all or substantially all of Licensor’s common stock or assets, the Licensor reserves the right in other circumstances to sell or otherwise assign one or more of the Licensed Patents and all or any rights under one or more of the Licensed Patents (an “Assignment”) subject to the following:
If during the term of this Agreement the Licensor receives an offer for an Assignment containing terms acceptable to the Licensor (an “Offer”), then before acceptance, the Licensor shall deliver a copy of that Offer to the Licensee and identify to the Licensee the proposed assignee (the “Assignee”) and, in such event, the Licensee shall have the right (the “Refusal Right”), exercisable by written notice delivered to the Licensor within thirty (30) days following the date of the Licensee’s receipt of the Offer (an “Acceptance”), to acquire the Patent(s) or the rights under the Patent(s) that are described in the Offer at the price and on the terms and conditions stated in that Offer. If the Licensee delivers the Acceptance within the period specified above, then the Licensor and Licensee shall proceed with the closing of the Assignment on the later of the date specified in the Offer or sixtieth (60th) business day after the date that the Licensee received the Offer. If the Licensee does not deliver the Acceptance within the period specified above, then the Licensor may proceed with the closing of the Assignment to the Assignee on the date specified in the Offer.
If Licensee does not exercise the Refusal Right to an Assignment as provided above and the Licensor proceeds with the Assignment to the Assignee, the rights of the Assignee with respect to the Patent(s) and rights under Patent(s) that are the subject of that Assignment shall be subject to the rights of the Licensee under this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the preceding sentence, if the Assignment includes any rights with respect to the Ink, the Assignee, as a condition to the Assignment, shall assume in writing and shall thereafter be obligated to supply the Ink to the Licensee and its Approved Printers as provided in this Agreement. No Assignment shall relieve the Licensor of its obligations to the Licensee under this Agreement unless otherwise agreed in writing by the Licensor.
11. Notices
Any notice or other communication required or permitted under this Agreement must be in writing, including via facsimile, and must be sent to the Party at the address first noted above for that Party, or at such other address as that Party may have designated in the manner prescribed herein. Unless a time period is expressly defined by business days, any other reference to “day” or “days” in this Agreement means calendar days.
12. Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure
Licensee hereby acknowledges and affirms all terms and conditions set forth in the Non-Disclosure Agreement previously executed on behalf of Licensor. In addition, as a condition to this Agreement, Licensee shall execute, together with any Approved Printer, an additional Confidentiality & Non-Disclosure Agreement with Licensor containing terms and conditions satisfactory to Licensor.

 

13


 

13. Term of Agreement
This Agreement shall commence on January 1, 2010, and shall remain in effect until December 31, 2012 (the “Initial Term”) unless the Agreement is extended (i) by the Parties’ mutual written agreement or (ii) by Licensee under the circumstances set forth in this Section 13, or unless the Agreement is terminated before the end of the Initial Term for a reason expressly set forth in this Section 13 or elsewhere contained in the Agreement.
Upon written notice to Licensor received not later than five (5) business days after the end of the Initial Term or any Renewal Term, Licensee shall have the automatic right to renew this Agreement for additional period of three (3) years (each, a “Renewal Term”) if during the Annual Period ending December 31, 2012 (the “2012 Annual Period”) or during the last Annual Period of each Renewal Term, Licensee generates Annual Royalties through actual shipments of the Licensed Merchandise within the Exclusive Territory at least equal to Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00). During each Annual Period of any Renewal Term, Licensee shall be required to generate Minimum Annual Royalties from sales of Licensed Merchandise within the Exclusive Territory that in the aggregate equal or exceed Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($250,000.00) per year. The Initial Term and any Renewal Terms are sometimes referred to as the “Term.”
This Agreement shall automatically terminate in the event of Licensee’s liquidation, dissolution, bankruptcy, winding up, assignment for the benefit of creditors, or any similar procedure.
The Licensee shall have the option to terminate this Agreement in the event of Licensor’s liquidation, dissolution, bankruptcy, winding up, assignment for the benefit of creditors, or any similar procedure, but if the Licensee does not elect to terminate, then this Agreement, and the rights and obligations of the Licensee hereunder, shall remain in full force and effect, binding upon and inuring to the benefit of the Licensee and the party succeeding to the Licensor’s rights and obligations hereunder.
This Agreement shall also terminate if, subsequent to its effective date, Licensee asserts the invalidity of any aspect of the Patented Ink Technology, coupled with or followed by either Licensee’s withholding or notice of its intention to withhold, or denial of any obligation to pay any sums due hereunder, or by Licensee’s initiation or participation in any suit, action or proceeding challenging or denying the validity of any aspect of Licensor’s Patented Ink Technology.
Finally, in the event of any breach by either Party of its obligations under this Agreement or the breach by the Licensor of its obligations to supply Ink to the Licensee’s Approved Printers and, in any such event, the breach is not cured to the reasonable satisfaction of the non-breaching Party within ten (10) calendar days after written notice from the non-breaching Party if the breach relates to the non-payment of money, or within thirty (30) calendar days after such written notice for any other type of breach, the non-breaching Party, at its election may affirm this Agreement and seek and secure specific performance by the breaching Party of its obligations under this Agreement or may terminate this Agreement and, in either instance, may seek and secure reimbursement for damages incurred as a result of such breach.

 

14


 

Termination of this Agreement for any reason shall not affect obligations accruing before the effective date of such termination, or any obligation which is stated in the Agreement to survive termination. In the event of termination of this Agreement on account of Licensee’s uncured default, then, in addition to any other remedies at law or equity, Licensee shall forthwith pay to Licensor the remainder of the Annual Minimum Royalties due for the balance of the Term. In the event of termination of this Agreement on account of Licensor’s uncured default, the Licensee shall have such rights and remedies at law or equity as are permitted under applicable law.
14. Force Majeure
Each Party shall be excused from delays in performing or from its failure to perform hereunder to the extent that such delays or failures result from causes beyond the reasonable control of such Party. Performance times shall be considered extended for a period of time equivalent to the time lost because of such delay. This Section shall be inapplicable to any failure to make a payment of money due under the Agreement.
15. Dispute Resolution
In the event of any dispute between the Parties relating to money damages under this Agreement, the Parties shall submit such dispute to non-binding mediation conducted by a mediator appointed by the American Arbitration Association’s Philadelphia, Pennsylvania office, and the mediation shall take place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The expenses of the mediator shall be equally shared unless the mediator determines otherwise. If non-binding mediation is unsuccessful in resolving the dispute within ninety (90) calendar days after the mediator’s appointment, the Parties shall submit such dispute to binding arbitration conducted by a single arbitrator appointed by the AAA’s Philadelphia, Pennsylvania office, and the arbitration shall take place in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The expenses of the arbitrator shall be shared equally unless the arbitrator determines otherwise. The arbitrator shall award the prevailing Party recovery of its reasonable attorney’s fees, but each Party shall otherwise bear its own expenses incurred in connection with the mediation or arbitration. The arbitrator’s award may be enforced by any court having jurisdiction over the Parties.

 

15


 

16. Other Provisions
If, in the event of Licensor’s liquidation, dissolution, bankruptcy, winding up, assignment for the benefit of creditors, or any similar procedure or the breach by the Licensor of any obligation under this Agreement or the breach by the Licensor of its obligations to supply Ink to the Licensee’s Approved Printers and the failure of the Licensor to remedy that breach within the period permitted under Section 13, the Licensee does not elect to terminate this Agreement and instead affirms and continues this Agreement, and if the Licensor thereafter does not or cannot supply to the Licensee or its Approved Printers the Ink required in order to produce the Licensed Merchandise, then the Licensor shall provide to the Licensee all technical and other information required by the Licensee in order to continue manufacturing the Licensed Merchandise, including but not limited to, all formulations for the Ink (including percentage of each ingredient, CAS numbers for each ingredient and MSDS sheets for each ingredient) and for manufacturing the Ink (including sources of ink ingredients, sources for ink manufacturing, ingredient storage requirements, mixing methods, ocean and air shipping specifications and any other specialized processing that may be required).
The sections of this Agreement relating to Representations, Limited Warranty and Damage Limitations and to Confidentiality and Non-Disclosure shall continue in full force and effect and shall survive the termination of this Agreement for any reason. Notwithstanding termination of the Agreement, Licensee may use any Ink then on hand which has been fully paid for; otherwise, such Ink shall be promptly returned to Licensor or destroyed.
The Parties are contractors independent of each other, and this Agreement does not create a joint venture or partnership. Neither Party has the authority to bind the other Party to any third party.
This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without regard to the conflicts of laws or principles thereof. Any action or suit seeking equitable or injunctive relief related to this Agreement shall be brought only in the state or federal courts covering Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
If either Party prevails in any action hereunder, it shall, in addition, be entitled to recover its reasonable attorney’s fees.
This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement and understanding between the Parties as to its subject matter and supersedes all prior discussions between the Parties. Neither Party shall be bound by any terms or conditions with respect to such subject matters other than as expressly provided herein, or in a further written instrument executed by both Parties on or after the date of this Agreement. No modification of this Agreement shall be effective unless in writing and signed by both Parties. A waiver of a breach under this Agreement shall not be a waiver of any subsequent breach hereunder. Failure of either Party to enforce compliance with any term or condition of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of such term or condition. If any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision is to that extent to be deemed omitted, and the remaining provisions shall not be affected in any way.
Section headings are for reference purposes only and shall not affect the meaning or construction of the paragraphs to which they relate.

 

16


 

In witness whereof, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the date first set forth above, intending to be legally bound.
             
Nocopi Technologies, Inc.
      Elmer’s Products, Inc.    
 
           
/s/ Michael Feinstein, MD
 
Signature
      /s/ Raymond J. Baran
 
Signature
   
 
           
Michael Feinstein, MD
 
Printed Name
      Raymond J. Baran
 
Printed Name
   
 
           
CEO
 
Title
      Authorized Representative
 
Title
   
 
           
12-17-09
 
Date
      12/19/09
 
Date
   

 

17

EX-31.1 4 c98501exv31w1.htm EXHIBIT 31.1 Exhibit 31.1
EXHIBIT 31.1
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
I, Michael A. Feinstein, M.D., Chief Executive Officer of Nocopi Technologies, Inc., certify that:
1.  
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Nocopi Technologies, Inc.;
2.  
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.  
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.  
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
  (a)  
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
  (b)  
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
  (c)  
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
  (d)  
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.  
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
  (a)  
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
  (b)  
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
     
Date: March 31, 2010
   
 
   
/s/ Michael A. Feinstein, M.D.
 
Michael A. Feinstein, M.D.
Chief Executive Officer
   

 

 

EX-31.2 5 c98501exv31w2.htm EXHIBIT 31.2 Exhibit 31.2
EXHIBIT 31.2
CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
I, Rudolph A. Lutterschmidt, Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Nocopi Technologies, Inc., certify that:
1.  
I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Nocopi Technologies, Inc.;
2.  
Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;
3.  
Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;
4.  
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:
  (a)  
Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;
  (b)  
Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;
  (c)  
Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and
  (d)  
Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and
5.  
The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):
  (a)  
All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and
  (b)  
Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.
     
Date: March 31, 2010
   
 
   
/s/ Rudolph A. Lutterschmidt
 
Rudolph A. Lutterschmidt
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
   

 

 

EX-32.1 6 c98501exv32w1.htm EXHIBIT 32.1 Exhibit 32.1
EXHIBIT 32
CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002
In connection with the Annual Report of Nocopi Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-K for the Year ended December 31, 2009 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), the undersigned, Michael A. Feinstein, M.D., Chief Executive Officer, and Rudolph A. Lutterschmidt, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that;
(1)  
The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and
(2)  
The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.
A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
     
/s/ Michael A. Feinstein, M.D.
 
Michael A. Feinstein, M.D.
   
 
   
/s/ Rudolph A. Lutterschmidt
 
Rudolph A. Lutterschmidt
   

 

 

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