-----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, A2xz3LgFmQi2dMUN8SQ6CpG3fxIebd2KsqTKQr6nsOU7J4ffUFywY2XLl07FzfUg FRxunQj4WBjtnowFUohUrQ== 0001021408-03-008371.txt : 20030530 0001021408-03-008371.hdr.sgml : 20030530 20030530172155 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001021408-03-008371 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: S-3 PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 5 FILED AS OF DATE: 20030530 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY CORP /DE/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000924383 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: HOUSEHOLD AUDIO & VIDEO EQUIPMENT [3651] IRS NUMBER: 870361799 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 0930 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: S-3 SEC ACT: 1933 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 333-105740 FILM NUMBER: 03726674 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 13114 EVENING CREEK DRIVE SOUTH CITY: SAN DIEGO STATE: CA ZIP: 92128 BUSINESS PHONE: 6196792114 S-3 1 ds3.htm FORM S-3 Form S-3
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Registration No. 333-[                ]


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 


 

AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware

 

87-0361799

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

13114 Evening Creek Drive South

San Diego, California 92128

(858) 679-2114

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

 


 

James M. Irish

Chief Executive Officer

AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

13114 Evening Creek Drive South

San Diego, California 92128

(858) 679-2114

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 


 

Copies to:

John D. Tishler, Esq.

Stephen R. LaSala, Esq.

Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP

530 B Street, Suite 2100

San Diego, CA 92101

(619) 238-1900

 


 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:    From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

 

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.    ¨

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.    x

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    ¨

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.    ¨

 

If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box.    ¨

 


 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 


Title of Securities to be Registered


  

Amount

to be

Registered


    

Proposed

Maximum
Offering Price

per Share(1)


  

Proposed

Maximum

Aggregate

Offering Price(1)


  

Amount of

Registration Fee


Common Stock, $.00001 par value

  

2,887,425

    

$4.81

  

$13,888,514

  

$1,123.58


(1)   Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(c) of the Securities Act of 1933. The price per share and aggregate offering price are based upon the average of the high and low sales price of American Technology Corporation’s common stock on May 22, 2003 as reported on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market. It is not known how many shares will be purchased under this registration statement or at what price such shares will be purchased.

 

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 



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The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

 

SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MAY 30, 2003

 

PROSPECTUS

 

2,887,425 SHARES

 

AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

 

COMMON STOCK

 


 

We are registering 2,887,425 shares of our common stock for resale by the selling stockholders identified in this prospectus. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of shares by the selling stockholders. Our common stock is listed in the NASDAQ SmallCap Market under the symbol “ATCO.” The closing sale price of our common stock, as reported on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market on May 19, 2003, was $3.17 per share.

 

The selling stockholders may sell the shares of common stock described in this prospectus in public or private transactions, on or off the NASDAQ SmallCap Market, at prevailing market prices, or at privately negotiated prices. The selling stockholders may sell shares directly to purchasers or through brokers or dealers. Brokers or dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling stockholders.

 

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. See “Risk Factors,” beginning on page 3.

 

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

 


 

The date of this prospectus is             , 2003.


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THE COMPANY

 

We are a consumer electronics company that develops, markets and licenses proprietary sound reproduction and other electronic technologies. Our primary marketing focus is on licensing four of our proprietary sound reproduction technologies and providing components based on these technologies to customers. These technologies are:

 

    HSS®, HyperSonic® Sound Technology

 

    High Intensity Directional Acoustics

 

    NeoPlanar Technology

 

    PureBass, Woofer Technology

 

HyperSonic Sound (HSS) technology is a new method of sound reproduction. Sound is generated in an air column using ultrasonic frequencies, those above the normal range of hearing. Our proprietary electronic process generates an ultrasonic beam to interact in mid-air producing wide spectrum audio along the beam. The sound beam has a very high degree of directionality and maintains sound volume over longer distances than traditional methods of sound reproduction. We believe HyperSonic Sound has unique features useful in new sound applications. We are currently shipping production HSS units to customers worldwide for evaluation in markets including retailing, point-of-purchase displays, museums, trade show booths, law enforcement, television, expositions, transportation, government, and military.

 

Our High Intensity Directional Acoustics (“HIDA”) technology is based in part on our HSS technology but is subject to additional pending patents and distinct marketing efforts. HIDA employs proprietary techniques to produce variable intensity directional acoustical sound intended for use primarily as a nonlethal weapon. HIDA also has potential applications in long-range delivery of directional sound information, effectively a supercharged megaphone. Our HIDA technology has been developed in part from sponsored research and development fees obtained from Bath Iron Works, a General Dynamics company. HIDA technology-based scaleable weapons have been successfully demonstrated to various military, government and commercial parties and commercial deliveries commenced in May 2003.

 

NeoPlanar technology is a thin film magnetic speaker that can be produced as thin as 1/8”. We believe the novel films and magnetic materials employed results in superior sound quality, reduced distortion and greater sound volume for a given size than traditional planar (flat or thin) magnetic speaker devices. Our NeoPlanar speaker technology is targeted at the automotive, multimedia, home, professional and marine speaker markets. We have licensed this technology on a nonexclusive basis to Harman International Industries Incorporated for the automotive market and have produced and sold NeoPlanar speaker components for installation in outside entertainment, luxury yacht and military ship applications.

 

Our PureBass extended range woofer was designed to complement our high performance NeoPlanar technology as well as other loudspeakers including those used in professional and consumer applications. PureBass employs unique cabinet construction and vent configurations along with multiple acoustic filters, which we believe produces improved performance. We believe PureBass minimizes distortion, provides high output for its size, and results in lower system costs when compared to conventional woofer systems. It provides a high frequency interface with upper range satellite speaker systems. We are marketing this technology as a complement to our NeoPlanar and other flat speaker technologies.

 

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Our objective is to be a leader in developing, marketing and licensing innovative sound reproduction technologies which address large and expanding domestic and international consumer and commercial electronics markets. We seek to have our sound technologies become important alternatives to conventional loudspeakers in target market segments and to open new sound applications in market segments not currently served by conventional sound devices. We believe it is becoming increasingly difficult for manufacturers to differentiate their sound reproduction products to offer consumers new choices. We also believe the rapid emergence of flat panel computer and television monitors and the large computer multimedia market provide growing opportunities for our products.

 

We have an innovative engineering and development team of 15 persons. Each of our four sound technologies is the subject of issued or pending patents and as of the date of this prospectus we had 27 U.S. patents issued with 29 pending U.S. patents and others in various stages of preparation or filing. We also have multiple foreign patents issued or pending. We invest significant resources in our intellectual property and consider it to be a significant asset of our company. We have also developed and own other technologies in various stages of development. Our strategy is to focus on exploiting our sound reproduction technologies and to license or sell other technologies incubated by our development team.

 

On May 29, 2003, Mr. James M. Irish, our Chief Executive Officer, was elected to the board of directors, replacing Mr. O’Connell J. Benjamin, who retired from the board.

 

The number of shares included in this prospectus is approximately 19% of our common shares outstanding on May 19, 2003. The number of common shares outstanding does not include the shares included in this prospectus.

 

Our shares trade through the NASDAQ SmallCap Market under the symbol “ATCO.” Our address is 13114 Evening Creek Drive South, San Diego, California, and our telephone number is 858-679-2114. Our Internet site is located at www.atcsd.com. The information found on our Web site is not part of this prospectus.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock offered by the selling stockholders. An aggregate of 664,875 shares of common stock offered by this prospectus are issuable only upon the exercise of stock purchase warrants by the selling stockholders. Upon exercise of the stock purchase warrants we could receive cash proceeds of up to approximately $2.3 million. There can be no assurance any of these warrants will be exercised by the selling stockholders, that any of the underlying shares of common stock will be sold hereunder or that we will receive any proceeds from the stock purchase warrants.

 

RISK FACTORS

 

An investment in our shares as offered in this prospectus involves a high degree of risk. The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will periodically update and supersede this information. In deciding whether to purchase shares of our common stock, you should carefully consider the following risk factors, in addition to other information contained in this prospectus as well as any other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This prospectus also contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed here or incorporated by reference. Factors that could cause or contribute to differences in our actual results include those discussed in this section, as well as those discussed elsewhere in this prospectus and in other documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus.

 

We have a history of net losses. We expect to continue to incur net losses and we may not achieve or maintain profitability. Our independent auditors have raised substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

 

We have incurred significant operating losses and anticipate continued losses in fiscal 2003. At March 31, 2003 we had an accumulated deficit of $31,725,995. Due to our net losses and our need for additional capital to sustain operations, our independent auditors have noted in their report on our annual financial statements a substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. We need to generate additional revenue to be profitable in future periods. Failure to achieve profitability, or maintain profitability if achieved, may cause our stock price to decline.

 

We will need additional capital to support our operations during the next twelve months. If additional capital is not available, we may have to curtail or cease operations.

 

Our current plans indicate we will need approximately $2.0 million in additional capital to support our planned level of operations for the next twelve months. Due to our need for additional capital and our net losses, our independent auditors have

 

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noted in their report on our financial statements a substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. A portion of these funds may be generated from operations from licensing and HSS product sales. The actual amount of funds that we will need will be determined by many factors, some of which are beyond our control, and we may need funds sooner than currently anticipated. These factors include:

 

    the extent to which we receive royalties from existing license agreements for our sound technologies;

 

    our success in entering into new licensing arrangements for our sound technologies;

 

    our success in producing and selling HSS and NeoPlanar products to customers;

 

    our progress with research and development; and

 

    the costs and timing of obtaining new patent rights.

 

When we require additional funds, general market conditions or the then-current market price of our common stock may not support capital raising transactions. If we require additional funds and we are unable to obtain them on a timely basis or on terms favorable to us, we may be required to scale back our research and development efforts, sell or license some or all of our technology or assets or curtail or cease operations. If we raise additional funds by selling additional shares of our capital stock or securities convertible into common stock, the ownership interest of our stockholders will be diluted.

 

We have substantial debt which adversely affects us.

 

We have a substantial amount of debt, including the following as of March 31, 2003:

 

    $1.0 million in senior secured promissory notes due December 31, 2004.

 

    $2.025 million in convertible subordinated promissory notes due December 31, 2003.

 

The substantial amount of our indebtedness impacts us in a number of ways:

 

    We have to dedicate a portion of cash flow from operations to interest payments on the senior secured promissory notes, which reduces funds available for other purposes.

 

    We may not have sufficient funds to pay quarterly interest payments on the senior secured promissory notes, which could lead to a default.

 

    The existing debt may make it difficult for us to obtain additional financing for working capital or other purposes.

 

    If we default on the senior secured promissory notes, the holders could take control of all of our accounts receivable, equipment, goods, instruments and inventory.

 

These factors generally place us at a disadvantage to our less leveraged competitors. Any or all of these factors could cause our stock price to decline.

 

We may not have sufficient funds to pay the balance on promissory notes due December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2004.

 

We have issued convertible subordinated promissory notes in the aggregate face amount of $2.025 million which mature on December 31, 2003 and senior secured promissory notes in the aggregate face amount of $1.0 million which mature on December 31, 2004, and if they are not sooner paid or, in the case of the convertible notes, converted, we will owe $2,569,890 in principal and accrued interest on December 31, 2003 and $1,140,000 due on December 31, 2004.

 

We have a right to force conversion of the amounts due under the convertible subordinated promissory notes to common shares at conversion price of $2.00 per share, but we can exercise that right only if our stock price exceeds $5.00 per share for five trading days in a row, and we have on file with the SEC an effective registration statement for the resale of such shares. The convertible note holders may voluntarily convert the notes to common shares at a conversion price of $2.00 per share any time before payment, but they are not obligated to do so unless the conditions for mandatory conversion are met. If our stock price is below $2.00 per share at December 31, 2003, it is unlikely any remaining holders will elect to convert, and the notes will be due and payable unless they are renegotiated. Even if our stock price exceeds $2.00 per share on that date or before, some or all of

 

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the holders may not elect to convert their notes.During the last 30 trading days, the closing sale price of our common shares has ranged from $3.21 to 6.39.

 

We may not have sufficient funds available to make the required payments at maturity. If we do not have sufficient funds, one or more note holders could declare its note in default. The senior secured promissory notes are secured by our accounts receivable, equipment, goods, instruments and inventory. If we default on the payment of such notes, the holders will have the right to take control of all of the assets which secure the notes.

 

Although the convertible subordinated notes are unsecured, those note holders could obtain a judgment and enforce that judgment by taking control of some or all of our assets. Upon default, note holders could also commence involuntary bankruptcy proceedings, which could significantly impair our business and the value of your stock. Even if we do have sufficient funds to pay those notes at maturity, such payments could impair our ability to meet other critical operating expenses, and could require us to scale back our research and development efforts, sell or license some or all of our technology or assets or curtail or cease operations.

 

We are an early stage company introducing new technologies. If commercially successful products do not result from our efforts, we may be unprofitable or forced to cease operations.

 

Our HSS, NeoPlanar, PureBass and HIDA technologies have only recently been introduced to market and are still being improved. Commercially viable sound technology systems may not be successfully and timely produced by OEMs due to the inherent risks of technology development, new product introduction, limitations on financing, manufacturing problems, competition, obsolescence, loss of key technical personnel and other factors. Our revenues from our sound technology have been limited to date, and we cannot guarantee significant revenues in the future. The development and introduction of our sound technology has taken longer than anticipated by management and could be subject to additional delays. We have also experienced manufacturing quality control problems with some of our initial commercial HSS units, and we may not be able to resolve future manufacturing problems in a timely and cost effective manner. Products employing our sound technology may not achieve market acceptance. Our various sound projects are high risk in nature, and unanticipated technical obstacles can arise at any time and result in lengthy and costly delays or result in a determination that further exploitation is unfeasible. If we do not successfully exploit our technology, our financial condition and results of operations and business prospects would be adversely affected.

 

Portable consumer products were the primary source of our historical revenues. You cannot rely on period-to-period comparisons of our results of operations as an indication of future performance.

 

We derived most of our historical revenues from the sale of portable consumer electronics products. We expect future revenues will primarily be generated from our proprietary sound reproduction and other electronic technologies, but there can be no assurance we will achieve substantial revenues from these technologies. If we do not achieve substantial revenues from these technologies, you may not be able to rely on period-to-period comparisons of our results of operations as an indication of future performance.

 

We do not have the ability to predict future operating results. Our quarterly and annual revenues will likely be subject to fluctuations caused by many factors, any of which could result in our failure to achieve our revenue expectations.

 

Our historical revenues derived almost exclusively from portable consumer products, and we expect a majority of future revenues to be generated from our sound reproduction technologies. Revenues from our sound reproduction technologies are expected to vary significantly due to a number of factors. Many of these factors are beyond our control. Any one or more of the factors listed below or other factors could cause us to fail to achieve our revenue expectations. These factors include:

 

    our ability to develop and license our sound reproduction technologies or our ability to supply components to customers, distributors or OEMs;

 

    market acceptance of and changes in demand for products of our licensees;

 

    gains or losses of significant customers, distributors or strategic relationships;

 

    unpredictable volume and timing of customer orders;

 

    the availability, pricing and timeliness of delivery of components for our products and OEM products;

 

    fluctuations in the availability of manufacturing capacity or manufacturing yields and related manufacturing costs;

 

    the timing of new technological advances, product announcements or introductions by us, by our licensees and by our competitors;

 

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    product obsolescence and the management of product transitions and inventory;

 

    production delays by customers, distributors, OEMs or by us or our suppliers;

 

    seasonal fluctuations in sales;

 

    the conditions of other industries, such as military and commercial industries, into which our technologies may be licensed;

 

    general consumer electronics industry conditions, including changes in demand and associated effects on inventory and inventory practices; and

 

    general economic conditions that could affect the timing of customer orders and capital spending and result in order cancellations or rescheduling.

 

Some or all of these factors could adversely affect demand for OEM products incorporating our sound reproduction technologies, and therefore adversely affect our future operating results.

 

Most of our operating expenses are relatively fixed in the short term. We may be unable to rapidly adjust spending to compensate for any unexpected sales or license revenue shortfalls, which could harm our quarterly operating results. We do not have the ability to predict future operating results with any certainty.

 

Our expenses may vary from period to period, which could affect quarterly results and our stock price.

 

If we incur additional expenses in a quarter in which we do not experience increased revenue, our results of operations would be adversely affected and we may incur larger losses than anticipated for that quarter. Factors that could cause our expenses to fluctuate from period to period include:

 

    the timing and extent of our research and development efforts;

 

    the extent of marketing and sales efforts to promote our technologies; and

 

    the timing of personnel and consultant hiring.

 

Sound reproduction markets are subject to rapid technological change, so our success will depend on our ability to develop and introduce new technologies.

 

Technology and standards in the sound reproduction markets evolve rapidly, making timely and cost-effective product innovation essential to success in the marketplace. The introduction of products with improved technologies or features may render our technologies obsolete and unmarketable. If we cannot develop products in a timely manner in response to industry changes, or if our technologies do not perform well, our business and financial condition will be adversely affected. The life cycles of our technologies are difficult to estimate, particularly those such as HSS and HIDA for which there are no established markets. As a result, our technologies, even if successful, may become obsolete before we recoup our investment.

 

Our HSS technology is subject to government regulation, which could lead to unanticipated expense or litigation.

 

Our HyperSonic Sound technology emits ultrasonic vibrations, and as such is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration. In the event of certain unanticipated defects in an HSS product, a licensee or we may be required to comply with FDA requirements to remedy the defect and/or notify consumers of the problem. This could lead to unanticipated expense, and possible product liability litigation against a licensee or us. Any regulatory impediment to full commercialization of our HSS technology, or any of our other technologies, could adversely affect our results of operations. For a further discussion of the regulation of our HSS technology, see Part I, Item 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, under the heading “Government Regulation.”

 

We may not be successful in obtaining the necessary licenses required for us to sell some of our products abroad.

 

Licenses for the export of certain of our products may be required from government agencies in accordance with various statutory authorities, including the Export Administration Act of 1979, the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, the Trading with the Enemy Act of 1917 and the Arms Export Control Act of 1976. We may not be able to obtain the necessary licenses in order to conduct business abroad. In the case of certain sales of defense equipment and services to foreign governments, the U.S. Department of State must notify Congress at least 15 to 30 days, depending on the size and location of the sale, prior to authorizing these sales. During that time, Congress may take action to block the proposed sale. Failure to receive required licenses or authorization would hinder our ability to sell our products outside the United States.

 

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Many potential competitors who have greater resources and experience than we do may develop products and technologies that make ours obsolete.

 

Technological competition from other and longer established electronic and loudspeaker manufacturers is significant and expected to increase. Most of the companies with which we expect to compete have substantially greater capital resources, research and development staffs, marketing and distribution programs and facilities, and many of them have substantially greater experience in the production and marketing of products. In addition, one or more of our competitors may have developed or may succeed in developing technologies and products that are more effective than any of ours, rendering our technology and products obsolete or noncompetitive.

 

Commercialization of our sound technologies depends on collaborations with other companies. If we are not able to maintain or find collaborators and strategic alliance relationships in the future, we may not be able to develop our sound technologies and products.

 

As we do not have the production, marketing and selling resources to commercialize our products on our own, our strategy is to establish business relationships with leading participants in various segments of the electronics and sound reproduction markets to assist us in producing, marketing and selling products that include our sound technologies.

 

Our success will therefore depend on our ability to maintain or enter into new strategic arrangements with partners on commercially reasonable terms. If we fail to enter into such strategic arrangements with third parties, our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and business prospects will be adversely affected. Any future relationships may require us to share control over our development, manufacturing and marketing programs or to relinquish rights to certain versions of our sound and other technologies.

 

We are dependent on outside suppliers and manufacturers. Our relationships with two key manufacturers have recently terminated. Disruptions in supply could adversely affect us.

 

We recently terminated our manufacturing relationship with HST, Inc., formerly our sub-contract manufacturer of our HSS and NeoPlanar products. In addition, Amtec Manufacturing, the sole manufacturer of our PureBass subwoofer units, recently went out of business. We are currently searching for replacement manufacturers for all three products. Delays in securing replacement manufacturers may cause a loss or a disruption of supply. Furthermore, after manufacturers are selected, production start-up requirements may cause longer lead times, particularly for larger orders, which could have a negative impact on our ability to introduce these technologies in volume. Any loss or disruption of supply could reduce future revenues, adversely affecting financial condition and results of operations.

 

Any inability to adequately protect our proprietary technologies could harm our competitive position.

 

We are heavily dependent on patent protection to secure the economic value of our technologies. We have both issued and pending patents on our sound reproduction technologies and we are considering additional patent applications. Patents may not be issued for some or all of our pending applications. Claims allowed from existing or pending patents may not be of sufficient scope or strength to protect the economic value of our technologies. Issued patents may be challenged or invalidated. Further, we may not receive patents in all countries where our products can be sold or licensed. Our competitors may also be able to design around our patents. The electronics industry is characterized by vigorous protection and pursuit of intellectual property rights or positions, which have resulted in significant and often protracted and expensive litigation. There is currently no pending litigation against us that questions our intellectual property rights. Third parties may charge that our technologies or products infringe their patents or proprietary rights. Problems with patents or other rights could potentially increase the cost of our products, or delay or preclude our new product development and commercialization. If infringement claims against us are deemed valid, we may be forced to obtain licenses, which might not be available on acceptable terms or at all. Litigation could be costly and time-consuming but may be necessary to protect our future patent and/or technology license positions, or to defend against infringement claims. A successful challenge to our sound technology could have a negative effect on our business prospects.

 

If our key employees do not continue to work for us, our business will be harmed because competition for replacements is intense.

 

Our performance is substantially dependent on the performance of our executive officers and key technical employees, including Elwood G. Norris, our Chairman, and James M. Irish our CEO. We are dependent on our ability to retain and motivate high quality personnel, especially highly skilled technical personnel. Our future success and growth also depend on our continuing ability to identify, hire, train and retain other highly qualified technical, managerial and sales personnel. Competition

 

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for such personnel is intense, and we may not be able to attract, assimilate or retain other highly qualified technical, managerial or sales personnel in the future. The inability to attract and retain the necessary technical, managerial or sales personnel could cause our business, operating results or financial condition to suffer.

 

We may issue preferred stock in the future, and the terms of the preferred stock may reduce the value of your common stock.

 

We are authorized to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock in one or more series. Our board of directors may determine the terms of future preferred stock without further action by our stockholders. If we issue additional preferred stock, it could affect your rights or reduce the value of your common stock. In particular, specific rights granted to future holders of preferred stock could be used to restrict our ability to merge with or sell our assets to a third party. These terms may include voting rights, preferences as to dividends and liquidation, conversion and redemption rights, and sinking fund provisions.

 

Our convertible subordinated note financing may result in dilution to our common stockholders.

 

Dilution of the per share value of our common shares could result from the conversion of most or all of the convertible subordinated notes we sold in September and October of 2001. Holders of these notes may convert the principal balance of these notes and all accrued interest into shares of our common stock at a conversion price of $2.00. The conversion price may be adjusted downward if we sell securities for less than an effective price of $2.00 per share. We have the right to require conversion of the notes after our stock trades above $5.00 per share for five consecutive trading days and we have an effective registration statement for the resale of the conversion shares. We intend to exercise this right as soon as we are able. In addition, the purchasers in these transactions received warrants to purchase one common share for each $2.00 in note principal purchased. The exercise price is $2.00 per share, subject to downward adjustment if we sell securities for less than an effective price of $2.00 per share. We initially issued $2.025 million in principal amount of convertible subordinated notes, which as of March 31, 2003 were convertible into an aggregate of 1,193,738 common shares, and 1,012,500 warrants, all of which are outstanding. The 12% convertible subordinated notes are due December 31, 2003, and accrue interest at 12% per annum.

 

Holders of our common stock could experience substantial dilution form the conversion of the convertible subordinated notes and exercise of the related warrants. In the event the conversion or exercise price is lower than the actual trading price on the day of conversion or exercise, the holder could immediately sell all of its converted common shares and exercised warrant shares, which would have a dilutive effect on the value of the outstanding common shares. Even the mere perception of eventual sales of common shares issued on the conversion of the convertible subordinated notes or exercise of the related warrants could lead to a decline in the trading price of our common stock.

 

Our Series D and Series E Preferred Stock financings may result in dilution to our common stockholders. The holders of Series D and Series E Preferred Stock will receive more common shares on conversion if the market price of our common stock declines.

 

Dilution of the per share value of our common shares could result from the conversion of the outstanding Series D and Series E Preferred Stock. In May 2002, we issued a total of 235,400 shares of our Series D Preferred Stock. 180,400 shares have been converted into 683,344 common shares and 55,000 shares remain outstanding as of May 19, 2003. We have also issued 343,250 shares of Series E Preferred Stock.

 

The holders of our outstanding shares of Series D Preferred Stock may convert these shares into shares of our common stock at a conversion price equal to the lower of $4.50 or 90% of volume-weighted average price of our common stock for the five trading days prior to conversion. The conversion rate cannot however be lower than lower than $2.00. The $2.00 floor price may however be adjusted downward if we sell securities for less than an effective price of $2.00 per share. As of May 19, 2003, the outstanding 55,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock are convertible into an aggregate of 203,569 common shares. In addition, the Series D Preferred Stock purchasers received warrants to purchase 2.2 common shares for each share of Series D Preferred Stock purchased. The exercise price of the warrants was initially $4.50 per share, but was reduced to $3.01 per share as a result of anti-dilution provisions in the warrants. The exercise price will be subject to further reduction if we sell securities for less than an effective price of $3.01 per share.

 

The holders of our outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock may convert these shares into shares of our common stock at a conversion price equal to the lower of $3.25 or 90% of volume-weighted average price of our common stock for the five trading days prior to conversion. The conversion rate cannot however be lower than $3.25 before September 30, 2003, or lower than $2.00 after such date. As of May 19, 2003, the 343,250 outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock are convertible into an aggregate of 1,070,236 common shares. In addition, the Series E Preferred Stock purchasers received warrants to purchase 1.5 common shares for each share of Series E Preferred Stock purchased at an exercise price of $3.25 per share.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Holders of our common stock could experience substantial dilution from the conversion of the Series D and Series E Preferred Stock and exercise of the related warrants. As a result of the floating conversion price, the holders of Series D and Series E Preferred Stock will receive more common shares on conversion if the price of our common shares declines. To the extent that the Series D or Series E stockholders convert and then sell their common shares, the common stock price may decrease due to the additional shares in the market. This could allow the Series D or Series E stockholders to receive greater amounts of common stock, the sales of which would further depress the stock price. Furthermore, the significant downward pressure on the trading price of our common stock as Series D and Series E Preferred Stock and related warrant holders convert or exercise these securities and sell the common shares received could encourage short sales by the holders of Series D and Series E Preferred Stock and the related warrants, or other stockholders. This would place further downward pressure on the trading price of our common stock. Even the mere perception of eventual sales of common shares issued on the conversion of the Series D and Series E Preferred Stock or exercise of the related warrants could lead to a decline in the trading price of our common stock.

 

Our stock price is volatile and may continue to be volatile in the future.

 

Our common stock trades on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market. The market price of our common stock has fluctuated significantly to date. In the future, the market price of our common stock could be subject to significant fluctuations due to general market conditions and in response to quarter-to-quarter variations in:

 

    our anticipated or actual operating results;

 

    developments concerning our sound reproduction technologies;

 

    technological innovations or setbacks by us or our competitors;

 

    conditions in the consumer electronics market;

 

    announcements of merger or acquisition transactions; and

 

    other events or factors and general economic and market conditions.

 

The stock market in recent years has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected the market price of many technology companies, and that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of companies.

 

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Table of Contents

 

SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

 

We are registering for resale certain shares of our common stock.

 

The following table sets forth certain information as of May 19, 2003 with respect to stockholders who invested in our Series E Preferred Stock.

 

Each of the selling stockholders received warrants in connection with their respective purchases.

 

The actual number of shares that may be obtained by the selling stockholders on the conversion of Series E Preferred Stock may be less than the amounts listed next to their names depending on the date of conversion and the market price of our stock at the conversion date. Thus, the number of shares that may be sold by the selling stockholders may be less than the number of shares listed in the following table.

 

We are registering a number of shares issuable upon conversion of an aggregate of 343,250 shares of Series E Preferred Stock assuming a conversion price of $2.00 per share and assuming the shares are held to the December 31, 2006 end of their term. The holders of our outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock may convert these shares into shares of our common stock at a conversion price equal to the lower of $3.25 or 90% of volume-weighted average price of our common stock for the five trading days prior to conversion. The conversion rate cannot however be lower than $3.25 before September 30, 2003, or lower than $2.00 after such date.

 

This information is based upon information provided by selling stockholders, and assumes the sale of all of the resale shares by the selling stockholders. The term “selling stockholder” includes the stockholders listed below and their transferees, pledgees, donees or other successors. The applicable percentages of ownership are based on an aggregate of 15,192,194 shares of common stock outstanding as of May 19, 2003. The footnotes in the following table include the number of shares of Series E Preferred Stock owned of record by each selling stockholder.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Selling Stockholder


  

Common Stock Underlying Series E Preferred Stock


  

Common Stock Underlying Common Stock Warrant


    

Total Common Stock Beneficially Owned
Before 

Offering


  

Maximum
Number of Shares Offered Hereby


    

Shares of
Common
Stock
Beneficially
Owned After
Offering


 
    

(1)

  

(2)

    

(3)

  

(4)

             

Name


  

Number


  

Number


    

Number


  

Number


    

Number


  

%


 

Adeebeh Tanfiq_Mansour

  

30,775

  

7,500

    

23,244

  

38,275

(5)

  

—  

  

*

 

Bear Stearns Securities Corp Custondian FBO Stephen Weinress IRA

  

15,388

  

3,750

    

11,622

  

19,138

(6)

  

—  

  

*

 

Canusa Trading Ltd.

  

307,750

  

75,000

    

688,230

  

382,750

(7)

  

455,794

  

2.9

%

Carlisle Jones

  

61,550

  

15,000

    

212,047

  

76,550

(8)

  

165,560

  

1.1

%

Clifford Koerner

  

30,775

  

7,500

    

275,244

  

38,275

(9)

  

252,000

  

1.7

%

Daniel A Nunes

  

20,004

  

4,875

    

67,108

  

24,879

(10)

  

52,000

  

*

 

Granite Capital II, LP

  

15,388

  

3,750

    

729,305

  

19,138

(11)

  

717,683

  

4.7

%

Granite Capital, LP

  

138,488

  

33,750

    

822,279

  

172,238

(12)

  

717,683

  

4.7

%

James C Zolin & Josephine Zolin JTWROS

  

30,775

  

7,500

    

427,053

  

38,275

(13)

  

403,809

  

2.6

%

Jeanne M. Jones

  

61,550

  

15,000

    

212,047

  

76,550

(14)

  

165,560

  

1.1

%

K. Tucker Andersen

  

153,875

  

37,500

    

116,218

  

191,375

(15)

  

—  

  

*

 

Leonard M Teninbaum Keogh Acct. Leonard M Teninbaum TTEE

  

261,588

  

63,750

    

691,160

  

325,338

(16)

  

493,589

  

3.2

%

Michael Gayner & Christine Gayner CO-TTEE

  

61,550

  

15,000

    

226,957

  

76,550

(17)

  

180,470

  

1.2

%

NGHK Holdings LLC

  

461,625

  

112,500

    

647,695

  

574,125

(18)

  

299,041

  

1.9

%

Palermo Trust

  

30,775

  

7,500

    

260,771

  

38,275

(19)

  

237,527

  

1.5

%

Sunrise Management Profit Sharing Plan

  

61,550

  

15,000

    

284,014

  

76,550

(20)

  

237,527

  

1.5

%

Sunrise Capital, Inc.

  

61,550

  

15,000

    

284,014

  

76,550

(21)

  

237,527

  

1.5

%

Richard G Daniels

  

30,775

  

7,500

    

138,602

  

38,275

(22)

  

115,358

  

*

 

Peter Corcoran

  

61,550

  

15,000

    

46,487

  

76,550

(23)

  

—  

  

*

 

Stifel Nicolaus Custodian for Jonathan Berg IRA

  

61,550

  

15,000

    

391,080

  

76,550

(24)

  

344,593

  

2.2

%

Robert R Clark Jr. and Patricia Venn-Watson

  

30,775

  

7,500

    

81,244

  

38,275

(25)

  

58,000

  

*

 

Vandoon Partners

  

123,100

  

30,000

    

92,974

  

153,100

(26)

  

—  

  

*

 

    
  
         

           
    

2,112,706

  

514,875

         

2,627,581

 

           
    
  
         

           

(1)   Represents shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of an aggregate of 343,250 shares of Series E Preferred Stock assuming a conversion price of $2.00 per share and assuming the shares are held to the December 31, 2006 end of their term. The holders of our outstanding shares of Series E Preferred Stock may convert these shares into shares of our common stock at a conversion price equal to the lower of $3.25 or 90% of volume-weighted average price of our common stock for the five trading days prior to conversion. The conversion rate cannot however be lower than $3.25 before September 30, 2003, or lower than $2.00 after such date. The conversion value of the Series E Preferred Stock is the original purchase price, increased by $0.60 per year from February 28, 2003. The actual number of shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of the Series E Preferred Stock may be less than that set forth in the chart depending on when conversion occurs.

 

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Table of Contents
(2)   Includes 514,875 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants issued to the purchasers of Series E Preferred Stock. The warrants are exercisable at $3.25 per common share, at any time until December 31, 2007.
(3)   Includes shares of common stock issuable on conversion of the Series E Preferred Stock with dividends to July 18, 2003 and exercise of the warrants (see Notes 1 and 2) at an assumed conversion price of $3.25 per share, which was the conversion price on May 19, 2003. Also, where applicable, includes shares of common stock not covered under this prospectus issuable on conversion of Series D Preferred Stock assuming a conversion price of $2.87 per share (the conversion price on May 19, 2003) and computed with dividends to July 18, 2003 and the conversion of convertible subordinated promissory notes at $2.00 per share with interest to July 18, 2003.
(4)   Includes shares of common stock that the selling stockholders have the right to acquire pursuant to the exercise of warrants and the conversion of the shares of Series E Preferred Stock. The actual number of shares obtained on conversion of Series E Preferred Stock may be less than the number listed depending on the date of conversion and the market price of our stock at the conversion date.
(5)   5,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock are owned of record by the selling stockholder.
(6)   2,500 shares of Series E Preferred Stock are owned of record by the selling stockholder.
(7)   Includes warrants exercisable for 166,000 common shares other than those covered by this prospectus and common shares issuable on conversion $200,000 principal amount of convertible subordinated promissory notes. Mr. W.A. Manuel is President of Canusa Trading Ltd., and is believed by us to have sole voting and investment power with respect to the securities held. 50,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock are owned of record by the selling stockholder.
(8)   Includes shares owned by Carlisle Jones and Jeanne M. Jones. Includes warrants exercisable for 50,000 common shares other than those covered by this prospectus and common shares issuable on conversion of $100,000 principal amount of convertible subordinated promissory notes. 10,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock are owned of record by the selling stockholder.
(9)   5,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock are owned of record by the selling stockholder.
(10)   3,250 shares of Series E Preferred Stock are owned of record by the selling stockholder.
(11)   Includes shares held by Granite Capital LP, Granite Capital Overseas and Granum Value Mutual Fund. Includes warrants exercisable for 10,421 common shares other than those covered by this prospectus and common shares issuable on conversion of 4,737 shares of Series D Preferred Stock. Also includes warrants exercisable for 77,579 common shares other than those covered by this prospectus and common shares issuable on conversion of 35,263 shares of Series D Preferred Stock held by Granite Capital LP. 2,500 shares of Series E Preferred Stock are owned of record by the selling stockholder. The selling stockholder purchased these securities in the ordinary course of business and at the time of the purchase of the securities, had no agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute such securities. Granite Financial Group, Inc. is the general partner of Granite Capital II LP. Daniel S. Schreiber is the sole shareholder and president of Granite Financial Group, Inc. and has sole voting and investment power with respect to the securities held.
(12)   Includes shares held by Granite Capital II LP, Granite Capital Overseas and Granum Value Mutual Fund. Includes warrants exercisable for 77,579 common shares other than those covered by this prospectus and common shares issuable on conversion of 35,263 shares of Series D Preferred Stock. Also includes warrants exercisable for 10,421 common shares other than those covered by this prospectus and common shares issuable on conversion of 4,737 shares of Series D Preferred Stock held by Granite Capital II LP. 22,500 shares of Series E Preferred Stock are owned of record by the selling stockholder. The selling stockholder purchased these securities in the ordinary course of business and at the time of the purchase of the securities, had no agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute such securities. Granite Financial Group, Inc. is the general partner of Granite Capital LP. Daniel S. Schreiber is the sole shareholder and president of Granite Financial Group, Inc. and has sole voting and investment power with respect to the securities held.
(13)   Includes shares held by James Zolin and Josephine Zolin separately. Includes warrants exercisable for 86,880 common shares other than those covered by this prospectus and common shares issuable on conversion of $150,000 principal amount of convertible subordinated promissory notes. 5,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock are owned of record by the selling stockholder.

 

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Table of Contents
(14)   Includes shares owned by Carlisle Jones and Jeanne M. Jones. Includes warrants exercisable for 50,000 common shares other than those covered by this prospectus and common shares issuable on conversion of $100,000 principal amount of convertible subordinated promissory notes held by Carlisle Jones. 10,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock are owned of record by the selling stockholder.
(15)   25,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock are owned of record by the selling stockholder.
(16)   Includes shares held by Leonard M. Teninbaum. Includes warrants exercisable for 206,100 common shares other than those covered by this prospectus and common shares issuable on conversion of $300,000 principal amount of convertible subordinated promissory notes. Mr. Leonard M. Teninbaum is trustee of Leonard M. Teninbaum Keogh Account, and is believed by us to have sole voting and investment power with respect to the securities held. 42,500 shares of Series E Preferred Stock are owned of record by the selling stockholder.
(17)   Includes warrants exercisable for 50,000 common shares other than those covered by this prospectus and common shares issuable on conversion of $100,000 principal amount of convertible subordinated promissory notes. Michael Gayner and Christine Gayner are believed by us to have shared voting and investment power with respect to the securities held. Gayner Family Trust purchased these securities in the ordinary course of business or personal affairs, and at the time of the purchase of the securities, had no agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any person to distribute such securities. 10,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock are owned of record by the selling stockholder.
(18)   Kwok Hung Ng is believed by us to have sole voting and investment power with respect to the securities held. Includes warrants exercisable for 147,000 common shares other than those covered by this prospectus and common shares issuable on conversion of $250,000 principal amount of convertible subordinated promissory notes. 75,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock are owned of record by the selling stockholder.
(19)   Includes shares held by Sunrise Management, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan and options exercisable within 60 days of May 19, 2003 on 25,000 common shares and warrants to purchase 100,000 common shares held by Sunrise Capital, Inc. and warrants exercisable for 22,000 common shares and warrants exercisable for 11,000 common shares held by Sunrise Management, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan. James A. Barnes serves as trustee of both Palermo Trust and Sunrise Management, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan, and President of Sunrise Capital, Inc., and is believed by us to have sole voting and investment power with respect to the securities held. Palermo Trust, Sunrise Capital, Inc. and Sunrise Management, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan disclaim beneficial ownership in these securities except to the extent of such person’s pecuniary interest in these securities and disclaim membership in a group with any other entity or person within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 5,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock are owned of record by the selling stockholder.
(20)   Includes shares held by Palermo Trust and options exercisable within 60 days of May 19, 2003 on 25,000 common shares and warrants to purchase 100,000 common shares held by Sunrise Capital, Inc. and warrants exercisable for 11,000 common shares and warrants exercisable for 22,000 common shares held by Palermo Trust. James A. Barnes serves as trustee of both Palermo Trust and Sunrise Management, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan, and President of Sunrise Capital, Inc., and is believed by us to have sole voting and investment power with respect to the securities held. Palermo Trust, Sunrise Capital, Inc. and Sunrise Management, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan disclaim beneficial ownership in these securities except to the extent of such person’s pecuniary interest in these securities and disclaim membership in a group with any other entity or person within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act. 10,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock are owned of record by the selling stockholder.
(21)   Includes shares held by Sunrise Management, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan and Palermo Trust and options exercisable within 60 days of May 19, 2003 on 25,000 common shares and warrants to purchase 100,000 common shares held by Sunrise Capital, Inc. and warrants exercisable for 22,000 common shares held by Palermo Trust and warrants exercisable for 11,000 common shares held by Sunrise Management, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan. James A. Barnes serves as trustee of both Palermo Trust and Sunrise Management, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan, and President of Sunrise Capital, Inc., and is believed by us to have sole voting and investment power with respect to the securities held. Palermo Trust, Sunrise Capital, Inc. and Sunrise Management, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan disclaim beneficial ownership in these securities except to the extent of such person’s pecuniary interest in these securities and disclaim membership in a group with any other entity or person within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act. 10,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock are owned of record by the selling stockholder.

 

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Table of Contents
(22)   Includes warrants exercisable for 25,000 common shares other than those covered by this prospectus and common shares issuable on conversion of $50,000 principal amount of convertible subordinated promissory notes. 5,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock are owned of record by the selling stockholder.
(23)   10,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock are owned of record by the selling stockholder.
(24)   Includes shares held by Jonathan Berg, Jackson Strategic, Inc., Berg Capital Corp and Chelsea Partners. Includes warrants exercisable for 47,000 common shares other than those covered by this prospectus and common shares issuable on conversion of $50,000 principal amount of convertible subordinated promissory notes. Also includes warrants to purchase 50,000 common shares held by Jonathan Berg, warrants to purchase 50,000 common shares and options to purchase 30,000 common shares held by Jackson Strategic, Inc. The shares owned after the offering assume the sale of 50,000 warrants as described in the table below. 10,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock are owned of record by the selling stockholder.
(25)   5,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock are owned of record by the selling stockholder.
(26)   20,000 shares of Series E Preferred Stock are owned of record by the selling stockholder. Michael Donovan and Andrew Muldoon are partners of the selling stockholder and are believed by us to have shared voting and investment power with respect to the securities held.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The following table sets forth certain information as of May 19, 2003 with respect to selling stockholders who acquired warrants to purchase our common stock in certain transactions not related to the sale of our Series E Preferred Stock. These warrants were issued for financial advisory services.

 

This information is based upon information provided by selling stockholders, and assumes the sale of all of the resale shares by the selling stockholders. The term “selling stockholder” includes the stockholders listed below and their transferees, pledgees, donees or other successors. The applicable percentages of ownership are based on an aggregate of 15,192,194 shares of common stock outstanding as of May 19, 2003.

 

Selling Stockholder


    

Common Stock
Beneficially Owned Before Offering


      

Common Stock
Underlying Common
Stock Warrant


    

Maximum Number of Shares Offered Hereby


    

Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned After Offering


 

Name


    

Number


      

Number


    

Number


    

Number


    

%


 

Jonathan Berg

    

391,080

(1)

    

50,000

(2)

  

50,000

(2)

  

344,593

(1)

  

2.2

%

Sunrise Capital, Inc.

    

284,014

(3)

    

100,000

(4)

  

100,000

(4)

  

237,527

(3)

  

1.5

%


 *   Less than one percent
(1)   Includes shares held by Nicolaus Stifel, Custodian for Jonathan Berg IRA, Jackson Strategic, Inc., Jonathan Berg, Berg Capital Corp and Chelsea Partners. Also includes warrants exercisable for 47,000 common shares other than those covered by this prospectus and common shares issuable on conversion of $50,000 principal amount of convertible subordinated promissory notes. Also includes the shares of common stock issuable on conversion of the Series E Preferred Stock and exercise of the warrants as described in the first table above, warrants to purchase 50,000 common shares and options to purchase 30,000 common shares held by Jackson Strategic, Inc. The shares owned after the offering assume the sale of the warrants described in this table and the table above.
(2)   These shares are issuable upon the exercise of warrants at an exercise price of $3.63 per share. The warrants were granted to the selling stockholder on April 4, 2003 and are exercisable until April 4, 2008. The warrants were acquired as compensation for consulting services provided by the selling stockholder to us.
(3)   Includes shares held by Sunrise Management, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan and Palermo Trust and options exercisable within 60 days of May 19, 2003 on 25,000 common shares and warrants exercisable for 22,000 common shares held by Palermo Trust and warrants exercisable for 11,000 common shares held by Sunrise Management, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan. Also includes the shares of common stock held by those stockholders that are issuable on conversion of the Series E Preferred Stock and exercise of the warrants as described in the first table above. James A. Barnes serves as trustee of both Palermo Trust and Sunrise Management, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan, and President of Sunrise Capital, Inc., and is believed by us to have sole voting and investment power with respect to the securities held. Palermo Trust, Sunrise Capital, Inc. and Sunrise Management, Inc. Profit Sharing Plan disclaim beneficial ownership in these securities except to the extent of such person’s pecuniary interest in these securities and disclaim membership in a group with any other entity or person within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) under the Exchange Act.
(4)   These shares are issuable upon the exercise of warrants at an exercise price of $4.25 per share. The warrants were granted to the selling stockholder on September 30, 2002 and are exercisable until September 30, 2007. The warrants were acquired as compensation for consulting services. James A. Barnes is the sole shareholder of Sunrise Capital, Inc. and has sole voting and investment power with respect to the securities held.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The following table sets forth certain information as of May 19, 2003 with respect to selling stockholders who acquired shares of our common stock on February 19, 2003 as earn-out consideration in connection with our purchase of technology rights from these selling stockholders in April 2000.

 

This information is based upon information provided by selling stockholders, and assumes the sale of all of the resale shares by the selling stockholders. The term “selling stockholder” includes the stockholders listed below and their transferees, pledgees, donees or other successors. The applicable percentages of ownership are based on an aggregate of 15,192,194 shares of common stock outstanding as of May 19, 2003.

 

Selling Stockholder


    

Common Stock
Beneficially

Owned Before Offering


      

Maximum Number of
Shares Offered Hereby


  

Shares of Common Stock
Beneficially Owned
After Offering


Name


    

Number


      

Number


  

Number


    

%


Stephen M. Williams

    

160,400

(1)

    

54,922

  

215,322

    

*

David Graebener

    

110,000

(1)

    

54,922

  

164,922

    

*


 *   Less than one percent
(1)   Includes options exercisable within 60 days of May 19, 2003 on 110,000 common shares.

 

Except as indicated above, none of the selling stockholders in the above tables has had any material relationship other than as an employee or consultant, with us or any of our predecessors or affiliates within the last three years.

 

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Table of Contents

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

The selling stockholders may offer these shares for sale in one or more of the following transactions (which may include block transactions):

 

    in the Nasdaq SmallCap Market;

 

    in transactions other than in the Nasdaq SmallCap Market; or

 

    in a combination of any such transactions.

 

The selling stockholders may sell shares at prevailing market prices, at negotiated prices or at fixed prices. The selling stockholders may sell shares to or through underwriters, brokers or dealers, who may receive compensation in the form of discounts or commissions from the selling stockholders and who may receive commissions from the purchasers of shares for whom they may act as agent.

 

Under the securities laws of certain states, the shares of common stock may be sold in such states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. The selling stockholders are advised to ensure that any underwriters, brokers, dealers or agents effecting transactions on behalf of the selling stockholders are registered to sell securities in all fifty states.

 

We will pay all the expenses incident to the registration, offering and sale of these shares to the public hereunder other than commissions, fees and discounts of underwriters, brokers, dealers and agents. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of any of these shares by the selling stockholders.

 

The selling stockholders should be aware that the anti-manipulation provisions of Regulation M under the Exchange Act will apply to purchases and sales of shares of common stock by the selling stockholders, and that there are restrictions on market-making activities by persons engaged in the distribution of the shares. Under Regulation M, the selling stockholders or their agents may not bid for, purchase, or attempt to induce any person to bid for or purchase, shares of our common stock while such selling stockholders are distributing shares covered by this prospectus. Accordingly, the selling stockholders are not permitted to cover short sales by purchasing shares while the distribution is taking place. The selling stockholders are advised that if a particular offer of common stock is to be made on terms constituting a material change from the information set forth above with respect to the Plan of Distribution, then, to the extent required, a post-effective amendment to the accompanying registration statement must be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

The selling stockholders and any broker-dealers, agents or underwriters that participate with the selling stockholders in the distribution of the shares may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933. Any commissions paid or any discounts or concessions allowed to any of them, and any profits received on the resale of the shares underlying the warrants granted to them, may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act.

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP will pass upon the validity of the common stock offered by this prospectus.

 

EXPERTS

 

The 2002 annual financial statements and schedule incorporated by reference in this prospectus have been audited by BDO Seidman, LLP, independent certified public accountants, to the extent and for the periods set forth in their report incorporated herein by reference (which contains an explanatory paragraph relating to our ability to continue as a going concern), and are incorporated herein in reliance upon such report given upon the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting in giving said reports.

 

DISCLOSURE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus, including the documents that we incorporate by reference, contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Any statements about our expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not historical facts and may be forward-looking. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases like “anticipate,” “estimate,” “plans,” “projects,” “continuing,” “ongoing,” “expects,” “management believes,” “the Company believes,” “the Company intends,” “we believe,” “we intend” and similar words or phrases. Accordingly, these statements involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in them. Any forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to the factors discussed in this prospectus or incorporated by reference.

 

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Because the factors discussed in this prospectus or incorporated herein by reference could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by us or on behalf of us, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict which will arise. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

 

WHERE YOU CAN GET MORE INFORMATION

 

We are a reporting company and file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy these reports, proxy statements and other information at the SEC’s public reference rooms in Washington, D.C., New York, NY and Chicago, IL. You can request copies of these documents by writing to the SEC and paying a fee for the copying cost. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for more information about the operation of the public reference rooms. Our SEC filings are also available at the SEC’s website at “http:\\www.sec.gov.”

 

The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information that we file with them, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus, and information that we file later with the SEC will automatically update and supersede this information. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below:

 

    Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2002 filed with the SEC on December 23, 2002, as amended by Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on January 28, 2003;

 

    Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 2002 and March 31, 2003;

 

    Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on October 7, 2002, October 15, 2002, March 6, 2003 and May 28, 2003; and

 

    Registration Statement on Form 10-SB, which includes a description of our common stock.

 

We also incorporate by reference all documents we file pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15 of the Exchange Act after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to effectiveness of the registration statement.

 

All documents we file in the future pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of the offering are also incorporated by reference and are an important part of this prospectus.

 

You may request a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing or telephoning us at the following address or telephone number:

 

American Technology Corporation

13114 Evening Creek Drive South

San Diego, CA 92128

Attn: Secretary

(858) 679-2114

 

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We have not authorized any dealer, salesperson or other person to give any information or to make any representations not contained in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. You must not rely on any unauthorized information. This prospectus is not an offer of these securities in any state where an offer is not permitted. The information in this prospectus is current as of the date of this prospectus. You should not assume that this prospectus is accurate as of any other date.

 

2,887,425 SHARES

 

AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

 

COMMON STOCK

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

    

Page


The Company

  

2

Use of Proceeds

  

3

Risk Factors

  

3

Selling Stockholders

  

10

Plan of Distribution

  

17

Legal Matters

  

17

Experts

  

17

Disclosure Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

  

17

Where You Can Get More Information

  

18

 

            , 2003


Table of Contents

PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

 

The expenses in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities being registered are set forth in the following table (all amounts except the registration fee are estimated):

 

SEC Registration Fee

  

$

1,123.58

Legal fees and expenses

  

$

9,000.00

Accounting fees and expenses

  

$

7,000.00

    

Total

  

$

17,123.58

    

 

Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

 

As permitted by Delaware law, our Certificate of Incorporation provides that the we will indemnify our officers, directors, employees and agents against attorneys’ fees and other expenses and liabilities they incur to defend, settle or satisfy any civil or criminal action brought against them arising out of their association with or activities on behalf of us unless, in any such action, they are adjudged to have acted with gross negligence or to have engaged in willful misconduct. We may also bear the expenses of such litigation for any such persons upon their promise to repay such sums if it is ultimately determined that they are not entitled to indemnification. Such expenditures could be substantial and may not be recouped, even if we are so entitled. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling us pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable.

 

Pursuant to the General Corporation Law of Delaware, our Certificate of Incorporation excludes personal liability on the part of its directors to our company for monetary damages based upon any violation of their fiduciary duties as directors, except as to liability for any breach of the duty of loyalty, acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, acts in violation of Section 174 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware, or any transaction from which a director receives an improper personal benefit. This exclusion of liability does not limit any right which a director may have to be indemnified and does not affect any director’s liability under federal or applicable state securities laws.

 

Item 16. Exhibits.

 

(a) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.


  

Description


2.1

  

Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of April 11, 2000 between the Company and Hucon Limited, David Graebener and Stephen M. Williams, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed on April 26, 2000.

4.1

  

Certificate of Designations of Series E Preferred Stock filed with Delaware on February 28, 2003, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Form 8-K filed on March 6, 2003.

4.2

  

Series E Preferred Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated February 28, 2003, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K filed on March 6, 2003.

4.3

  

Form of Stock Purchase Warrant exercisable until December 31, 2007 granted to investors for an aggregate of 514,875 common shares (individual warrants differ as to holder, number of shares and issuance date), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Form 8-K filed on March 6, 2003.

 

II-1


Table of Contents

 

Exhibit No.


  

Description


4.4

  

Stock Purchase Warrant exercisable until September 30, 2007 granted to Sunrise Capital, Inc. for 100,000 common shares.*

4.5

  

Stock Purchase Warrant exercisable until April 4, 2008 granted to Jonathan Berg for 50,000 common shares.*

5.1

  

Opinion of Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP.*

23.1

  

Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP, independent certified public accountants.*

23.2

  

Consent of Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP Reference is made to Exhibit 5.1.

24.1

  

Power of Attorney. Reference is made to Page II-5.


*   Filed herewith.

 

Item 17. Undertakings.

 

We hereby undertake:

 

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made pursuant to this registration statement, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

 

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof;

 

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering; and

 

(4) To deliver or cause to be delivered with the prospectus, to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest annual report to security holders that is incorporated by reference in the prospectus and furnished pursuant to and meeting the requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and where interim financial information required to be presented by Article 3 of Regulation S-X is not set forth in the prospectus, to deliver, or cause to be delivered to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by reference in the prospectus to provide such interim financial information.

 

We hereby undertake that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Insofar as indemnification by us for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of American Technology Corporation pursuant to the provisions referenced above or otherwise, we have been advised that in the opinion of the Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and is, therefore unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by us of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of American Technology Corporation in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered hereunder, we will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

II-3


Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Diego, State of California, on May 29, 2003.

 

AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

By:

 

/s/ James M. Irish


   

James M. Irish

Chief Executive Officer

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Elwood G. Norris, James M. Irish and Renee Warden and each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or any of them, or his substitutes or substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

 

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

 

Signature


  

Title


 

Date


/s/ Elwood G. Norris


Elwood G. Norris

  

Chairman of the Board and Director

 

May 29, 2003

/s/ James M. Irish


James M. Irish

  

Chief Executive Officer and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

 

May 29, 2003

/s/ Terry Conrad


Terry Conrad

  

President and Director

 

May 29, 2003

/s/ Richard M. Wagner


Richard M. Wagner

  

Director

 

May 29, 2003

/s/ Daniel J. Carter


David J. Carter

  

Director

 

May 29, 2003

/s/ Daniel Hunter


Daniel Hunter

  

Director

 

May 29, 2003

 

II-4


Table of Contents

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.


  

Description


2.1

  

Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of April 11, 2000 between the Company and Hucon Limited, David Graebener and Stephen M. Williams, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Form 8-K filed on April 26, 2000.

4.1

  

Certificate of Designations of Series E Preferred Stock filed with Delaware on February 28, 2003, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Form 8-K filed on March 6, 2003.

4.2

  

Series E Preferred Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated February 28, 2003, incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Form 8-K filed on March 6, 2003.

4.3

  

Form of Stock Purchase Warrant exercisable until December 31, 2007 granted to investors for an aggregate of 514,875 common shares (individual warrants differ as to holder, number of shares and issuance date), incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to Form 8-K filed on March 6, 2003.

4.4

  

Stock Purchase Warrant exercisable until September 30, 2007 granted to Sunrise Capital, Inc. for 100,000 common shares.*

4.5

  

Stock Purchase Warrant exercisable under April 4, 2008 granted to Jonathan Berg for 50,000 common shares.*

5.1

  

Opinion of Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP.*

23.1

  

Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP, independent certified public accountants.*

23.2

  

Consent of Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP Reference is made to Exhibit 5.1.

24.1

  

Power of Attorney. Reference is made to Page II-5.

 

 

II-5

EX-4.4 3 dex44.htm STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT EXERCISABLE UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 Stock Purchase Warrant exercisable until September 30, 2007

Exhibit 4.4

 

THIS WARRANT AND THE UNDERLYING SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”). THEY MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AS TO SUCH SECURITIES UNDER THE ACT OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE CORPORATION THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

 

AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

 

WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK

 

September 30, 2002

 

Void After September 30, 2007

 

THIS CERTIFIES THAT, for value received, Sunrise Capital, Inc. or assigns (the “Holder”), is entitled to subscribe for and purchase at the Exercise Price (defined below) from American Technology Corporation, a Delaware corporation, (the “Corporation”) up to one hundred thousand (100,000) shares of Common Stock of the Corporation (the “Common Stock”). The term “Warrant” as used herein shall mean this Warrant.

 

1.    Definitions.  As used herein, the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

 

(a)    “Exercise Period” shall mean the period commencing with the date beginning 48 hours after the date hereof and ending five (5) years from September 30, 2002, unless sooner terminated as provided below.

 

(b)    “Exercise Price” shall mean $4.25 per share, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 6.1.

 

(c)    “Exercise Shares” shall mean the shares of the Corporation’s Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant.

 

2.    Exercise of Warrant.  The rights represented by this Warrant may be exercised in whole or in part at any time during the Exercise Period, by delivery of the following to the Corporation at its address set forth above (or at such other address as it may designate by notice in writing to the Holder):

 

(a)    An executed Notice of Exercise in the form attached hereto;

 

(b)    Payment of the Exercise Price either (i) in cash or by check, or (ii) by cancellation of indebtedness; and

 

(c)    This Warrant or a true and correct copy thereof.

 

Upon the exercise of the rights represented by this Warrant, certificates for the Exercise Shares so purchased shall be registered in the name of, and issued and delivered to the Holder, together with a warrant of like tenor and effect for any Exercise Shares not purchased upon partial exercise hereof.

 

The person in whose name any certificate or certificates for Exercise Shares are to be issued upon exercise of this Warrant shall be deemed to have become the holder of record of such shares on the date on which this Warrant was surrendered and payment of the Exercise Price was made, irrespective of the date of delivery of such certificate or certificates, except that, if the date of such surrender and payment is a date when the stock transfer books of the Corporation are closed, such person shall be deemed to have become the holder of such shares at the close of business on the next succeeding date on which the stock transfer books are open.


 

2.1    Net Exercise.  Notwithstanding any provisions herein to the contrary, if the fair market value of one share of the Corporation’s Common Stock is greater than the Exercise Price (at the date of calculation as set forth below), in lieu of exercising this Warrant by payment of cash, the Holder may elect to receive shares equal to the value (as determined below) of this Warrant (or the portion thereof being canceled) by surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Corporation together with the properly endorsed Notice of Exercise in which event the Corporation shall issue to the Holder a number of shares of Common Stock computed using the following formula:

 

X = Y (A-B)

    A

 

Where

 

X =

  

the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to the Holder

   

Y =

  

the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable under the Warrant or, if only a portion of the Warrant is being exercised, the portion of the Warrant being canceled (at the date of such calculation)

   

A =

  

the fair market value of one share of the Corporation’s Common Stock (at the date of such calculation)

   

B =

  

Exercise Price (as adjusted to the date of such calculation)

 

For purposes of this Section 2.1 fair market value of a share of Common Stock shall mean:

 

(i)  If traded on a stock exchange, the fair market value of the Common Stock shall be deemed to be the average of the closing selling prices of the Common Stock on the stock exchange determined by the Board of Directors to be the primary market for the Common Stock over the ten (10) trading day period ending on the date prior to the date the Warrant is exercised, as such prices are officially quoted in the composite tape of transactions on such exchange;

 

(ii)  If traded over-the-counter or if listed by the National Daily Quotation Service “Pink Sheets,” the fair market value of the Common Stock shall be deemed to be the average of the closing bid prices (or, if such information is available, the closing selling prices) of the Common Stock over the ten (10) trading day period ending on the date prior to the date the Warrant is exercised, as such prices are reported by the National Association of Securities Dealers through its NASDAQ system, any successor system, the Pink Sheets, or any exchange on which it is listed, whichever is applicable; or

 

(iii)  If there is no public market for the Common Stock, then the fair market value shall be determined by the Board of Directors of the Corporation in good faith.

 

3.    Covenants of the Corporation.

 

3.1    Covenants as to Exercise Shares.  The Corporation covenants and agrees that all Exercise Shares that may be issued upon the exercise of the rights represented by this Warrant will, upon issuance, be duly authorized, validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable, and free from all preemptive rights of any shareholder and all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issuance thereof. The Corporation further covenants and agrees that the Corporation will at all times during the Exercise Period, have authorized and reserved, free from preemptive rights, a sufficient number of shares of its Common Stock to provide for the exercise of the rights represented by this Warrant. If at any time during the Exercise Period the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock shall not be sufficient to permit exercise of this Warrant, the Corporation will take such corporate action as may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to such number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purposes.

 

2


 

3.2    No Impairment.  Except and to the extent as waived or consented to by the Holder, the Corporation will not, by amendment of its Certificate of Incorporation or through any reorganization, transfer of assets, consolidation, merger, dissolution, issue or sale of securities or any other voluntary action, avoid or seek to avoid the observance or performance of any of the terms to be observed or performed hereunder by the Corporation, but will at all times in good faith assist in the carrying out of all the provisions of this Warrant and in the taking of all such action as may be necessary or appropriate in order to protect the exercise rights of the Holder against impairment.

 

3.3    Notices of Record Date.  In the event of any taking by the Corporation of a record of the holders of any class of securities for the purpose of determining the holders thereof who are entitled to receive any dividend or other distribution, the Corporation shall mail to the Holder, at least ten (10) days prior to the date specified herein, a notice specifying the date on which any such record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend or distribution.

 

4.    Representations of Holder.

 

4.1    Acquisition of Warrant for Personal Account; Financial Risk.  The Holder represents and warrants that it is acquiring the Warrant solely for its account for investment and not with a view to or for sale or distribution of said Warrant or any part thereof. The Holder also represents that the entire legal and beneficial interests of the Warrant and Exercise Shares the Holder is acquiring are being acquired for, and will be held for, its account only. Holder has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters, or Holders professional advisors who are not affiliated with and who are not associated with the Corporation have such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters, as to be capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment and of protecting their own interests in connection with the transaction, and has the ability to bear the economic risks of its investment and can afford a complete loss of Holder’s investment.

 

4.2    Accredited Investor.  The Holder represents and warrants that it is an “Accredited Investor” as that term is defined in Regulation D, Rule 501 of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

4.3    Securities Are Not Registered.

 

(a)    The Holder understands that the Warrant and the Exercise Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”) on the basis that no distribution or public offering of the stock of the Corporation is to be effected by the issuance of this Warrant. The Holder realizes that the basis for the exemption may not be present if, notwithstanding its representations, the Holder has a present intention of acquiring the securities for a fixed or determinable period in the future, selling (in connection with a distribution or otherwise), granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the securities. The Holder has no such present intention.

 

(b)    The Holder recognizes that the Warrant and the Exercise Shares must be held indefinitely unless they are subsequently registered under the Act or an exemption from such registration is available. The Holder recognizes that the Corporation has no obligation hereunder to register the Warrant or the Exercise Shares or to comply with any exemption from such registration, provided, however, the Exercise Shares are subject to piggyback registration rights as set forth in Section 5 herein.

 

(c)    The Holder is aware that neither the Warrant nor the Exercise Shares may be sold pursuant to Rule 144 adopted under the Act unless certain conditions are met, including, among other things, the existence of a public market for the shares, the availability of certain current public information about the Corporation, the resale following the required holding period under Rule 144 and the number of shares being sold during any three month period not exceeding specified limitations.

 

3


 

4.4    Disposition of Warrant and Exercise Shares.

 

(a)    The Holder further agrees not to make any disposition of all or any part of the Warrant or Exercise Shares in any event unless and until:

 

(i)    The Corporation shall have received a letter secured by the Holder from the Securities and Exchange Commission stating that no action will be recommended to the Commission with respect to the proposed disposition;

 

(ii)    There is then in effect a registration statement under the Act covering such proposed disposition and such disposition is made in accordance with said registration statement; or

 

(iii)    The Holder shall have notified the Corporation of the proposed disposition and shall have furnished the Corporation with a detailed statement of the circumstances surrounding the proposed disposition, and if reasonably requested by the Corporation, the Holder shall have furnished the Corporation with an opinion of counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation, for the Holder to the effect that such disposition will not require registration of such Warrant or Exercise Shares under the Act or any applicable state securities laws.

 

(b)    The Holder understands and agrees that all certificates evidencing the shares to be issued to the Holder may bear the following legend:

 

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”). THEY MAY NOT BE SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AS TO THE SECURITIES UNDER THE ACT OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE CORPORATION THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

 

5.    Registration Rights.

 

(a)    Holder shall have the right, at any time and from time to time until September 30, 2007, to include all of the shares purchased or purchasable upon the exercise of this Warrant ( the “Registrable Shares”) within any Registration Statement of the Corporation filed by the Corporation covering shares of its Common Stock other than a Registration Statement filed solely with respect to any employee benefit plan of the Corporation or an offering solely related to an acquisition or for which such Registrable Shares cannot, in the sole judgment of the Corporation, be appropriately registered. The Corporation shall promptly give written notice to Holder of any intended registration of its Common Stock not less than forty-five (45) days prior to the anticipated effective date of the Registration Statement, and Holder shall, within fifteen (15) days of receipt thereof, notify the Corporation of the number of Registrable Shares it desires to include in the Registration Statement. The number of Registrable Shares which may be included by the Holder in any such Registration Statement may be restricted by the Corporation if, in the opinion of the Corporation’s managing underwriter, the number of shares proposed to be sold by the Holder and by the Corporation in such offering exceeds the number of securities which can be sold in such offering. In such event, the Registrable Shares of Holder to be included within such Registration Statement shall not exceed the number approved for inclusion therein by the Corporation and its managing underwriter. All costs or expenses, incident to the registration, qualification or listing of such securities shall be paid by the Corporation, and the Corporation shall comply with all reasonable requests of Holder made in connection with the registration, qualification, listing or sale of Registrable Shares.

 

(b)    Each Holder of Warrants and Warrant Shares to be sold pursuant to any Registration Statement (each, a “Distributing Holder”) shall severally, and not jointly, indemnify and hold harmless the Corporation, its officers and directors, each underwriter and each person, if any, who controls the Corporation and such underwriter, against any loss, claim, damage, expense or liability, joint or several, as incurred, to which any of

 

4


them may become subject under the Securities Act or any other statute or at common law, in so far as such loss, claim, damage, expense or liability (or actions in respect thereof) arises out of or is based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in any such Registration Statement, any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Corporation by such Distributing Holder specifically for use therein. Such Distributing Holder shall reimburse the Corporation, such underwriter and each such officer, director or controlling person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by any of them in connection with investigating or defending any such liability, as incurred. Notwithstanding the foregoing, such indemnity with respect to such preliminary prospectus or such final prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of the Corporation, its officers or directors, or such underwriter (or such controlling person of the Corporation or the underwriter) if the person asserting any such loss, claim, damage, expense or liability purchased the securities that are the subject thereof and did not receive a copy of the final prospectus (or the final prospectus as then amended, revised or supplemented) at or prior to the time such furnishing is required by the Securities Act in any case where any such untrue statement or omission of a material fact contained in the preliminary prospectus was corrected in the final prospectus (or, if contained in the final prospectus, was subsequently corrected by amendment, revision or supplement).

 

(c)    In connection with any public registration of this Corporation’s securities, the Holder (and any transferee of Holder) agrees, upon the request of the Corporation or the underwriter(s) managing such underwritten offering of the Corporation’s securities, not to sell, make any short sale of, loan, grant any option for the purchase of, or otherwise dispose of this Warrant, any of the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant or any other securities of the Corporation heretofore or hereafter acquired by Holder (other than those included in the registration) without the prior written consent of the Corporation and such underwriter(s), as the case may be, for a period of time not to exceed one hundred eighty (180) days from the effective date of the registration. Upon request by the Corporation, Holder (and any transferee of Holder) agrees to enter into any further agreement in writing in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation and such underwriter(s). The Corporation may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the securities subject to the foregoing restrictions until the end of said 180-day period. Any shares issued upon exercise of this Warrant shall bear an appropriate legend referencing this lock-up provision.

 

6.    Adjustments.  The Exercise Price and Exercise Shares purchaseable hereunder are subject to adjustment form time to time as follows:

 

6.1    Recapitalizations, Reorganizations, etc.  In the event of changes in the outstanding Common Stock of the Corporation by reason of stock dividends, split-ups, recapitalizations, reclassifications, combinations or exchanges of shares, separations, reorganizations, liquidations, or the like, the number and class of shares or other property available under the Warrant in the aggregate and the Exercise Price shall be correspondingly adjusted to give the Holder of the Warrant, on exercise for the same aggregate Exercise Price, the total number, class, and kind of shares or other property as the Holder would have owned had the Warrant been exercised prior to the event and had the Holder continued to hold such shares until after the event requiring adjustment; provided, however, that such adjustment shall not be made with respect to, and this Warrant shall terminate if not exercised prior to, the events set forth in Section 8 below. The form of this Warrant need not be changed because of any adjustment in the number of Exercise Shares subject to this Warrant. Upon any adjustment pursuant to this Section 6.1, the Corporation shall give written notice thereof, by first class mail postage prepaid, addressed to the registered Holder of this Warrant at the address of such Holder as shown on the books of the Corporation. The notice shall be signed by the Corporation’s’ chief financial officer and shall state the Exercise Price resulting from such adjustment and number, class and kind of shares or other property purchasable at such price upon the exercise of this Warrant, setting forth in reasonable detail the method of calculation and the facts upon which such calculation is based.

 

7.    Fractional Shares.  No fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant as a consequence of any adjustment pursuant hereto. All Exercise Shares (including fractions) issuable upon exercise of

 

5


this Warrant may be aggregated for purposes of determining whether the exercise would result in the issuance of any fractional share. If, after aggregation, the exercise would result in the issuance of a fractional share, the Corporation shall, in lieu of issuance of any fractional share, pay the Holder otherwise entitled to such fraction a sum in cash equal to the product resulting from multiplying the then current fair market value of an Exercise Share by such fraction.

 

8.    Early Termination.  In the event of, at any time during the Exercise Period, the consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into another corporation in which the Corporation is not the surviving entity or in which the stockholders of the Corporation do not own at least 51% of the voting power of the surviving entity (other than a merger solely to effect a reincorporation of the Corporation into another state), or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all the properties and assets of the Corporation in its entirety to any other person, the Corporation shall provide to the Holder twenty (20) days advance written notice of such consolidation, merger or sale or other disposition of the Corporation’s assets, and of this Warrant shall terminate unless exercised prior to the date of the occurrence of such consolidation, merger or sale or other disposition of the Corporation’s assets.

 

9.    No Stockholder Rights.  This Warrant in and of itself (prior to the exercise of rights hereunder) shall not entitle the Holder to any voting rights or other rights as a shareholder of the Corporation.

 

10.    Transfer of Warrant.  Subject to applicable laws, the restriction on transfer set forth on the first page of this Warrant, this Warrant and all rights hereunder are transferable, by the Holder in person or by duly authorized attorney, upon delivery of this Warrant and the form of assignment attached hereto to any transferee designated by Holder. The transferee shall sign an investment representation letter in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation.

 

11.    Lost, Stolen, Mutilated or Destroyed Warrant.  If this Warrant is lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed, the Corporation may, on such terms as to indemnity or otherwise as it may reasonably impose (which shall, in the case of a mutilated Warrant, include the surrender thereof), issue a new Warrant of like denomination and tenor as the Warrant so lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed. Any such new Warrant shall constitute an original contractual obligation of the Corporation, whether or not the allegedly lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed Warrant shall be at any time enforceable by anyone.

 

12.    Notices, etc.  All notices and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be sent by telex, telegram, express mail or other form of rapid communications, if possible, and if not then such notice or communication shall be mailed by first-class mail, postage prepaid, addressed in each case to the party entitled thereto at the following addresses: (a) if to the Corporation, to American Technology Corporation, Attention: President, 13114 Evening Creek Drive South, San Diego, California 92128 and (b) if to the Holder, Sunrise Capital, Inc., 8617 Canyon View Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89117 or at such other address as one party may furnish to the other in writing. Notice shall be deemed effective on the date dispatched if by personal delivery, telecopy, telex or telegram, two days after mailing if by express mail, or three days after mailing if by first-class mail.

 

13.    Acceptance.  Receipt of this Warrant by the Holder shall constitute acceptance of and agreement to all of the terms and conditions contained herein.

 

14.    Amendment.  Any term of this Warrant may be amended with the written consent of the Corporation and the holders of Warrants representing a majority in interest of the then outstanding Exercise Shares issuable upon exercise of any outstanding Warrant which was issued in connection with the Notes. Any amendment effected in accordance with this Section 14 shall be binding upon each holder of the Warrants.

 

15.    Governing Law.  This Warrant and all rights, obligations and liabilities hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the State of California.

 

6


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Warrant to be executed by its duly authorized officer as of September 30, 2002.

 

American Technology Corporation

By

 

/s/    ELWOOD G. NORRIS

 

 

Accepted:

 

/s/    JAMES BARNES


Sunrise Capital, Inc.

 

7


 

NOTICE OF EXERCISE

 

TO: American Technology Corporation

 

(1)     The undersigned hereby elects to purchase              shares of the Common Stock of American Technology Corporation (the “Corporation”) pursuant to the terms of the attached Warrant, and tenders herewith payment of the exercise price in full, together with all applicable transfer taxes, if any.

 

The undersigned hereby elects to purchase              shares of the Common Stock of American Technology Corporation. (the “Corporation”) pursuant to the terms of the net exercise provisions set forth in Section 2.1 of the attached Warrant, and shall tender payment of all applicable transfer taxes, if any.

 

(2)    Please issue a certificate or certificates representing said shares of Common Stock in the name of:

 


(Name)

 


 


(Address)

 

(3)    The undersigned represents that (i) the aforesaid shares of Common Stock are being acquired for the account of the undersigned for investment and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, the distribution thereof and that the undersigned has no present intention of distributing or reselling such shares; (ii) the undersigned is aware of the Corporation’s business affairs and financial condition, has read and reviewed the Corporation’s Form 10-K Annual Report for the latest fiscal year, and the Form 10-Q Quarterly Reports for the latest fiscal quarters and all other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and has acquired sufficient information about the Corporation to reach an informed and knowledgeable decision regarding its investment in the Corporation; (iii) the undersigned is experienced in making investments of this type and has such knowledge and background in financial and business matters that the undersigned is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of this investment and protecting the undersigned’s own interests; (iv) the undersigned understands that the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), by reason of a specific exemption from the registration provisions of the Securities Act, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the investment intent as expressed herein, and, because such securities have not been registered under the Securities Act, they must be held indefinitely unless subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available; (v) the undersigned is aware that the aforesaid shares of Common Stock may not be sold pursuant to Rule 144 adopted under the Securities Act unless certain conditions are met and until the undersigned has held the shares for the number of years prescribed by Rule 144, that among the conditions for use of the Rule is the availability of current information to the public about the Corporation and (vi) the undersigned agrees not to make any disposition of all or any part of the aforesaid shares of Common Stock unless and until there is then in effect a registration statement under the Securities Act covering such proposed disposition and such disposition is made in accordance with said registration statement, or the undersigned has provided the Corporation with an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Corporation, stating that such registration is not required.

 


(Date)

 

(Signature)

   

(Print name)

       

 

8


Exhibit 4.4

 

ASSIGNMENT FORM

 

(To assign the foregoing Warrant, execute this form

and supply required information. Do not use this

form to purchase shares.)

 

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the foregoing Warrant and all rights evidenced thereby are hereby assigned to

 

 

Name:

  

 


    
    

(Please Print)

    

Address:

  

 


    
    

(Please Print)

    

Dated:

  

 


    

Holder’s Signature:

  

 

 


    

Holder’s Address:

  

 

 


    

 

NOTE: The signature to this Assignment Form must correspond with the name as it appears on the face of the Warrant, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatever. Officers of corporations and those acting in a fiduciary or other representative capacity should provide proper evidence of authority to assign the foregoing Warrant.

 

9

EX-4.5 4 dex45.htm STOCK PURCHASE WARRANT EXERCISABLE UNDER APRIL 4, 2008 Stock Purchase Warrant exercisable under April 4, 2008

Exhibit 4.5

No. W-04

 

THIS WARRANT AND THE SHARES ISSUABLE UPON ITS EXERCISE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED WITH THE U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF

 

WARRANT TO PURCHASE 50,000 SHARES

OF COMMON STOCK OF

AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

(Void after April 4, 2008)

 

This certifies that Jackson Strategic, Inc. or its assigns (the “Holder”), for value received, is entitled to purchase from AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), having a place of business at 13114 Evening Creek Drive South, San Diego, California 92128, a maximum of Fifty Thousand 50,000) fully paid and nonassessable shares of the Company’s Common Stock (“Common Stock”) for cash at a price of Three Dollars and Sixty-Three Cents ($3.63) per share, as may be adjusted as provided herein (the “Stock Purchase Price”), at any time or from time to time up to and including 5:00 p.m. (Pacific time) on April 4, 2008 (the “Expiration Date”), upon surrender to the Company at its principal office (or at such other location as the Company may advise the Holder in writing) of this Warrant properly endorsed with the Form of Subscription attached hereto duly filled in and signed and, if applicable, upon payment in cash or by check of the aggregate Stock Purchase Price for the number of shares for which this Warrant is being exercised determined in accordance with the provisions hereof. The Stock Purchase Price and the number of shares purchasable hereunder are subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3 of this Warrant.

 

This warrant to purchase Common Stock (this “Warrant”) is one of a series of warrants issued pursuant to the Series E Preferred Stock and Warrant Purchase Agreement dated as of February 28, 2003 (the “Purchase Agreement”), which warrants are collectively referred to herein as the “Warrants.”

 

This Warrant is subject to the following terms and conditions:

 

1.    EXERCISE; ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES; PAYMENT FOR SHARES.

 

1.1    General.    This Warrant is exercisable at the option of the holder of record hereof, at any time or from time to time, up to the Expiration Date for all or any part of the shares of Common Stock (but not for a fraction of a share) which may be purchased hereunder. The Company agrees that the shares of Common Stock purchased under this Warrant shall be and are deemed to be issued to the Holder hereof as the record owner of such shares as of the close of business on the date on which this Warrant shall have been surrendered, properly endorsed, the completed, executed Form of Subscription delivered and payment made for such shares. Certificates for the shares of Common Stock so purchased, together with any other securities or property to which the Holder hereof is entitled upon such exercise, shall be delivered to the Holder hereof by the Company at the Company’s expense within five (5) business days after the rights represented by this Warrant have been so exercised. In case of a purchase of less than all the shares which may be purchased under this Warrant, the Company shall cancel this Warrant

 

1.


and execute and deliver a new Warrant or Warrants of like tenor for the balance of the shares purchasable under the Warrant surrendered upon such purchase to the Holder hereof within five (5) business days. Each stock certificate so delivered shall be in such denominations of Common Stock as may be requested by the Holder hereof and shall be registered in the name of such Holder. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth above, each exercise of the Warrant shall cover at least the lesser of (i) 10,000 shares of Common Stock (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, combinations and the like), or (ii) the total number of shares of Common Stock then subject to the Warrant.

 

1.2    Net Issue Exercise.

 

(a)    Section 1.2(b) shall not apply and shall have no force or effect if, in accordance with the terms of the Purchase Agreement, the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of this Warrant have been registered for resale under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, on a registration statement on Form S-3, or another appropriate form.

 

(b)    Notwithstanding any provisions herein to the contrary (other than Section 1.2(a)), if the fair market value of one share of the Company’s Common Stock is greater than the Stock Purchase Price (at the date of calculation as set forth below), in lieu of exercising this Warrant for cash, the Holder may elect to receive shares equal to the value (as determined below) of this Warrant (or the portion thereof being canceled) by surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company together with the properly endorsed Form of Subscription and notice of such election in which event the Company shall issue to the Holder a number of shares of Common Stock computed using the following formula:

 

X= Y (A-B)

    A

 

Where X = the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to the Holder

 

         

Y =

  

the number of shares of Common Stock purchasable under the Warrant or, if only a portion of the Warrant is being exercised, the portion of the Warrant being canceled (at the date of such calculation)

         

A =

  

the fair market value of one share of the Company’s Common Stock (at the date of such calculation)

         

B =

  

Stock Purchase Price (as adjusted to the date of such calculation)

 

For purposes of the above calculation, fair market value of one share of Common Stock shall be the volume weighted average price of the Company’s Common Stock from the hours of 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on the NASDAQ as reported by Bloomberg Financial using the AQR function for the five (5) trading days immediately preceding the date of exercise for which there are reported transactions in the Common Stock.

 

2.


 

2.    SHARES TO BE FULLY PAID; RESERVATION OF SHARES.  The Company covenants and agrees that all shares of common stock that may be issued upon the exercise of the rights represented by this warrant will, upon issuance, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free from all preemptive rights of any stockholder and free of all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issue thereof. The Company further covenants and agrees that, during the period within which the rights represented by this Warrant may be exercised, the Company will at all times have authorized and reserved, for the purpose of issue or transfer upon exercise of the subscription rights evidenced by this warrant, a sufficient number of shares of authorized but unissued Common Stock, or other securities and property, when and as required to provide for the exercise of the rights represented by this Warrant. The Company will take all such action as may be necessary to assure that such shares of Common Stock may be issued as provided herein without violation of any applicable law or regulation, or of any requirements of any domestic securities exchange upon which the Common Stock may be listed; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to effect a registration under federal or state securities laws with respect to such exercise other than as provided pursuant to the purchase agreement. The Company will not take any action which would result in any adjustment of the Stock Purchase Price (as set forth in section 3 hereof) if the total number of shares of Common Stock issuable after such action upon exercise of all outstanding Warrants, together with all shares of Common Stock then outstanding and all shares of Common Stock then issuable upon exercise of all options and upon the conversion of all convertible securities then outstanding, would exceed the total number of shares of Common Stock then authorized by the company’s certificate of incorporation.

 

3.    ADJUSTMENT OF STOCK PURCHASE PRICE AND NUMBER OF SHARES.  The Stock Purchase Price and the number of shares purchasable upon the exercise of this warrant shall be subject to adjustment from time to time upon the occurrence of certain events described in this section 3. Upon each adjustment of the Stock Purchase Price, the Holder of this Warrant shall thereafter be entitled to purchase, at the Stock Purchase Price resulting from such adjustment, the number of shares obtained by multiplying the Stock Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such adjustment by the number of shares purchasable pursuant hereto immediately prior to such adjustment, and dividing the product thereof by the Stock Purchase Price resulting from such adjustment.

 

3.1    Subdivision or Combination of Stock.  In case the Company shall at any time subdivide its outstanding shares of Common Stock into a greater number of shares, the Stock Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such subdivision shall be proportionately reduced, and conversely, in case the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company shall be combined into a smaller number of shares, the Stock Purchase Price in effect immediately prior to such combination shall be proportionately increased.

 

3.2    Dividends in Common Stock, Other Stock, Property, Reclassification.  If at any time or from time to time the Holders of Common Stock (or any shares of stock or other securities at the time receivable upon the exercise of this Warrant) shall have received or become entitled to receive, without payment therefor,

 

3.


 

(a)    Common Stock or any shares of stock or other securities which are at any time directly or indirectly convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, or any rights or options to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise acquire any of the foregoing by way of dividend or other distribution,

 

(b)    any cash paid or payable otherwise than as a cash dividend, or

 

(c)    Common Stock or additional stock or other securities or property (including cash) by way of spinoff, split-up, reclassification, combination of shares or similar corporate rearrangement, (other than shares of Common Stock issued as a stock split or adjustments in respect of which shall be covered by the terms of Section 3.1 above),

 

then and in each such case, the Holder hereof shall, upon the exercise of this Warrant, be entitled to receive, in addition to the number of shares of Common Stock receivable thereupon, and without payment of any additional consideration therefor, the amount of stock and other securities and property (including cash in the cases referred to in clause (b) above and this clause (c)) which such Holder would hold on the date of such exercise had he been the holder of record of such Common Stock as of the date on which holders of Common Stock received or became entitled to receive such shares or all other additional stock and other securities and property.

 

3.3    Reorganization, Reclassification, Consolidation, Merger or Sale.  If any recapitalization, reclassification or reorganization of the capital stock of the Company, or any consolidation or merger of the Company with another corporation, or the sale of all or substantially all of its assets or other transaction shall be effected in such a way that holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive stock, securities, or other assets or property (an “Organic Change”), then, as a condition of such Organic Change, lawful and adequate provisions shall be made by the Company whereby the Holder hereof shall thereafter have the right to purchase and receive (in lieu of the shares of the Common Stock of the Company immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the rights represented hereby) such shares of stock, securities or other assets or property as may be issued or payable with respect to or in exchange for a number of outstanding shares of such Common Stock equal to the number of shares of such stock immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the rights represented hereby; provided, however, that in the event the value of the stock, securities or other assets or property (determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company) issuable or payable with respect to one share of the Common Stock of the Company immediately theretofore purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the rights represented hereby is in excess of the Stock Purchase Price hereof effective at the time of a merger and securities received in such reorganization, if any, are publicly traded, then this Warrant shall expire unless exercised prior to or simultaneous with such Organic Change. In the event of any Organic Change, appropriate provision shall be made by the Company with respect to the rights and interests of the Holder of this Warrant to the end that the provisions hereof (including, without limitation, provisions for adjustments of the Stock Purchase Price and of the number of shares purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of this Warrant) shall thereafter be applicable, in relation to any shares of stock, securities or assets thereafter deliverable upon the exercise hereof. The Company will not effect any such consolidation, merger or sale unless, prior to the consummation thereof, the successor corporation (if other than the Company) resulting from such

 

4.


consolidation or the corporation purchasing such assets shall assume by written instrument reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Holders of a majority of the warrants to purchase Common Stock then outstanding, executed and mailed or delivered to the registered Holder hereof at the last address of such Holder appearing on the books of the Company, the obligation to deliver to such Holder such shares of stock, securities or assets as, in accordance with the foregoing provisions, such Holder may be entitled to purchase.

 

3.4    Certain Events.  If any change in the outstanding Common Stock of the Company or any other event occurs as to which the foregoing provisions of this Section 3 are not strictly applicable or if strictly applicable would not fairly protect the purchase rights of the Holder of the Warrant in accordance with such provisions, then the Board of Directors of the Company shall make an adjustment in the number and class of shares available under the Warrant, the Stock Purchase Price or the application of such provisions, so as to protect such purchase rights as aforesaid. The adjustment shall be such as will give the Holder of the Warrant upon exercise for the same aggregate Stock Purchase Price the total number, class and kind of shares as he would have owned had the Warrant been exercised prior to the event and had he continued to hold such shares until after the event requiring adjustment.

 

3.5    Notices of Change.

 

(a)    Within 10 business days after any adjustment in the number or class of the shares subject to this Warrant and of the Stock Purchase Price, the Company shall give written notice thereof to the Holder, setting forth in reasonable detail and certifying the calculation of such adjustment.

 

(b)    The Company shall give written notice to the Holder at least 15 business days prior to the date on which the Company closes its books or takes a record for determining rights to receive any dividends or distributions.

 

(c)    The Company shall also give written notice to the Holder at least 15 business days prior to the date on which an Organic Change shall take place.

 

4.    ISSUE TAX.  The issuance of certificates for shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of the Warrant shall be made without charge to the Holder of the Warrant for any issue tax (other than any applicable income taxes) in respect thereof; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issuance and delivery of any certificate in a name other than that of the then holder of the Warrant being exercised.

 

5.    CLOSING OF BOOKS.  The Company will at no time close its transfer books against the transfer of any warrant or of any shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any warrant in any manner which interferes with the timely exercise of this Warrant.

 

6.    NO VOTING OR DIVIDEND RIGHTS; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.  Other than as set forth herein, nothing contained in this Warrant shall be construed as conferring upon the Holder hereof the right to vote or to consent or to receive notice as a shareholder of the

 

5.


Company or any other matters or any rights whatsoever as a shareholder of the Company. No dividends or interest shall be payable or accrued in respect of this Warrant or the interest represented hereby or the shares purchasable hereunder until, and only to the extent that, this Warrant shall have been exercised. No provisions hereof, in the absence of affirmative action by any holder, and no mere enumeration herein of the rights or privileges of the Holder hereof, shall give rise to any liability of such Holder for the Stock Purchase Price or as a shareholder of the Company, whether such liability is asserted by the Company or by its creditors.

 

7.    WARRANTS TRANSFERABLE.  Subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws, this Warrant and all rights hereunder are transferable, in whole or in part, without charge to the holder hereof (except for transfer taxes), upon surrender of this Warrant properly endorsed. Each taker and holder of this Warrant, by taking or holding the same, consents and agrees that this Warrant, when endorsed in blank, shall be deemed negotiable, and that the holder hereof, when this Warrant shall have been so endorsed, may be treated by the Company, at the Company’s option, and all other persons dealing with this Warrant as the absolute owner hereof for any purpose and as the person entitled to exercise the rights represented by this Warrant, or to the transfer hereof on the books of the Company any notice to the contrary notwithstanding; but until such transfer on such books, the Company may treat the registered owner hereof as the owner for all purposes.

 

8.    RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS SURVIVE EXERCISE OF WARRANT.  The rights and obligations of the Company, of the holder of this Warrant and of the holder of shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of this Warrant, shall survive the exercise of this Warrant.

 

9.    MODIFICATION AND WAIVER.  This Warrant and any provision hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of the same is sought; provided, however, that any term of this Warrant may be amended with the written consent of the Company and the holders of Warrants representing a majority in interest of the shares of Common Stock then issuable upon exercise of the Warrants issued pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, and any amendment so effected shall be binding upon each holder of such Warrants.

 

10.    NOTICES.  Any notice, request or other document required or permitted to be given or delivered to the holder hereof or the Company shall be delivered or shall be sent by certified mail, postage prepaid, to each such holder at its address as shown on the books of the Company or to the Company at the address indicated therefor in the first paragraph of this Warrant or such other address as either may from time to time provide to the other.

 

11.    BINDING EFFECT ON SUCCESSORS.  This Warrant shall be binding upon any corporation succeeding the Company by merger, consolidation or acquisition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets. All of the obligations of the Company relating to the Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of this Warrant shall survive the exercise and termination of this Warrant. All of the covenants and agreements of the Company shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the holder hereof.

 

6.


 

12.    DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS AND GOVERNING LAW.  The description headings of the several sections and paragraphs of this Warrant are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Warrant. This Warrant shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and the rights of the parties shall be governed by, the laws of the State of California.

 

13.    LOST WARRANTS.  The Company represents and warrants to the Holder hereof that upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction, or mutilation of this Warrant and, in the case of any such loss, theft or destruction, upon receipt of an indemnity reasonably satisfactory to the Company, or in the case of any such mutilation upon surrender and cancellation of such Warrant, the Company, at its expense, will make and deliver a new Warrant, of like tenor, in lieu of the lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Warrant.

 

14.    FRACTIONAL SHARES.  No fractional shares shall be issued upon exercise of this Warrant. The Company shall, in lieu of issuing any fractional share, pay the holder entitled to such fraction a sum in cash equal to such fraction multiplied by the then effective Stock Purchase Price.

 

15.    SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE.  The parties hereto hereby declare that it is impossible to measure in money the damages which will accrue to a party hereto or to their heirs, personal representatives, or assigns by reason of a failure to perform any of the obligations under this Warrant and agree that the terms of this Warrant shall be specifically enforceable. If any party hereto or his heirs, personal representatives, or assigns institutes any action or proceeding to specifically enforce the provisions hereof, any person against whom such action or proceeding is brought hereby waives the claim or defense therein that such party or such personal representative has an adequate remedy at law, and such person shall not offer in any such action or proceeding the claim or defense that such remedy at law exists.

 

[REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

7.


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Warrant to be duly executed by its officers, thereunto duly authorized this 31th day of March, 2003.

 

AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION,

a Delaware corporation

By:

 

/s/ ELWOOD G. NORRIS


Name:

 

Elwood G. Norris


Title:

 

Chairman


 

 

8.


 

Exhibit A

SUBSCRIPTION FORM

 

Date:                         ,             

 

American Technology Corporation

13114 Evening Creek Drive South

San Diego, California 92128

Attn: President

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

The undersigned hereby elects to exercise the warrant issued to it by American Technology Corporation (the “Company”) and dated                          , 2003, Warrant No. W-D         (the “Warrant”) and to purchase thereunder              shares of the Common Stock of the Company (the “Shares”) at a purchase price of Three Dollars and Twenty-Five Cents ($3.25) per Share for an aggregate purchase price of                  Dollars ($            ) (the “Purchase Price”).

 

Pursuant to the terms of the Warrant the undersigned has (check one that applies):

 

¨

 

Delivered the aggregate Purchase Price herewith in full in cash or by certified check or wire transfer; or

¨

 

Elected to Net Issue Exercise as described in Section 1.2 of the Warrant.

 

         

Very truly yours,

   
 

Signature

       

Name:

   
 

Title:

   
 
         
EX-5.1 5 dex51.htm OPINION OF PROCOPIO, CORY, HARGREAVES & SAVITCH LLP Opinion of Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP

Exhibit 5.1

 

May 30, 2003

 

American Technology Corporation

13114 Evening Creek Drive South

San Diego, CA 92128

 

Ladies and Gentlemen:

 

You have requested our opinion with respect to certain matters in connection with the filing by American Technology Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), of a Registration Statement on Form S-3 (the “Registration Statement”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including a related prospectus filed with the Registration Statement (the “Prospectus”) covering the registration of up to 2,887,425 shares of the Company’s common stock, $.00001 par value (the “Common Stock”), on behalf of certain selling stockholders including: (i) 109,844 shares of issued and outstanding Common Stock (the “Shares”); (ii) up to 2,112,706 shares of the Common Stock (the “E Conversion Shares”) issuable upon conversion of issued and outstanding Series E Preferred Stock; and (iii) 664,875 shares of the Common Stock (the “Warrant Shares”) issuable upon the exercise of certain issued and outstanding warrants (the “Warrants”). This opinion is being furnished in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5)(i) of Regulation S-K.

 

In connection with this opinion, we have examined and relied upon the Registration Statement, and related Prospectus, the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, the Certificate of Designation of Series E Preferred Stock (“Certificate of Designation”), the Company’s Bylaws, the Warrants, the corporate proceedings taken by the Company in connection with the issuance of the Shares, the Series E Preferred Stock and the Warrants, and the originals or copies certified to our satisfaction of such records, documents, certificates, memoranda and other instruments as in our judgment are necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinion expressed below. We have assumed the genuineness and authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as copies thereof and the due execution and delivery of all documents where due execution and delivery are a prerequisite to the effectiveness thereof.

 

On the basis of the foregoing, and in reliance thereon, we are of the opinion that (i) the Shares are validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; (ii) the E Conversion Shares, when issued in accordance with the Certificate of Designation will be validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable; and (iii) the Warrant Shares, when issued and sold in accordance with the terms of the Warrants, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

 

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Legal Matters” in the Prospectus included in the Registration Statement and to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the Registration Statement.

 

This opinion letter is rendered as of the date first written above and we disclaim any obligation to advise you of facts, circumstances, events or developments which hereafter may be brought to our attention and which may alter, affect or modify the opinion expressed herein. Our opinion is expressly limited to the matters set forth above and we render no opinion, whether by implication or otherwise, as to any other matters relating to the Company, the Shares, the Certificate of Designation, the E Conversion Shares, the Warrants or the Warrant Shares.

 

Very truly yours,

    /s/ Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP


PROCOPIO, CORY, HARGREAVES & SAVITCH LLP

EX-23.1 6 dex231.htm CONSENT OF BDO SEIDMAN, LLP, INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS Consent of BDO Seidman, LLP, independent certified public accountants

Exhibit 23.1

 

American Technology Corporation

San Diego, California

 

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus constituting a part of this Registration Statement of our report dated November 19, 2002, which contains an explanatory paragraph related to the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern, relating to the financial statements and schedules of American Technology Corporation appearing in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2002.

 

We also consent to the reference to us under the caption “Experts” in the Prospectus.

 

BDO Seidman, LLP

Costa Mesa, CA

 

May 30, 2003

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