Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies

Lines of Credit and Guarantee

The Company’s wholly owned Japanese subsidiary, STAAR Japan, has an agreement, as amended on or about November 21, 2016, with Mizuho Bank which provides for borrowings of up to 500,000,000 Yen, at an interest rate equal to the uncollateralized overnight call rate (approximately 0.12% as of March 31, 2017) plus a 0.50% spread, and may be renewed annually (the current line expires on November 21, 2017). The credit facility is not collateralized. The Company had 500,000,000 Yen outstanding on the line of credit as of March 31, 2017 and December 30, 2016 (approximately $4.5 million and $4.3 million based on the foreign exchange rates on March 31, 2017 and December 30, 2016, respectively), which approximates fair value due to the short-term maturity and market interest rates of the line of credit. In case of default, the interest rate will be increased to 14% per annum. As of March 31, 2017, there were no available borrowings under the line.

In August 2010, the Company’s wholly owned Swiss subsidiary, STAAR Surgical AG, entered into a credit agreement with Credit Suisse (the Bank). The credit agreement provides for borrowings of up to 1,000,000 CHF (Swiss Francs) ($1.0 million at the rate of exchange on March 31, 2017), to be used for working capital purposes. Accrued interest and 0.25% commissions on average outstanding borrowings is payable quarterly and the interest rate will be determined by the Bank based on the then prevailing market conditions at the time of borrowing. The credit agreement is automatically renewed on an annual basis based on the same terms assuming there is no default. The credit agreement may be terminated by either party at any time in accordance with its general terms and conditions. The credit facility is not collateralized and contains certain conditions such as providing the Bank with audited financial statements annually and notice of significant events or conditions as defined in the credit agreement. The Bank may also declare all amounts outstanding to be immediately due and payable upon a change of control or a “material qualification” in STAAR Surgical independent auditors’ report, as defined. There were no borrowings outstanding as of March 31, 2017 and December 30, 2016.

Covenant Compliance

The Company is in compliance with the covenants of its credit facilities as of the date of this filing.

Lease Line of Credit (Capital Leases)

On January 30, 2017, the Company entered into lease schedule 010 with Farnam Street Financial, Inc (“Farnam”). The line of credit provides for borrowings of up to $2.0 million at a lease rate factor of 3.94% per $1 for hardware equipment and 4.75% per $1 for non-hardware equipment. Interim rent is paid until the full amount of the line is used at which time the lease commences. As of March 31, 2017, approximately $1,958,311 of the line was available for borrowing.

On January 31, 2017, the Company entered into lease schedule 009R with Farnam. Under 009R, equipment with a cost of $1,957,000 was financed over a period of 24 months at a lease rate factor of 3.94% per $1 for hardware equipment and 4.75% per $1 for non-hardware equipment. At the end of the lease the Company can opt to continue to rent the equipment, return the equipment, or exercise a fair market value purchase option. As of March 31, 2017, approximately $1,795,954 is outstanding.

On June 12, 2014, the Company entered into lease schedule 008R with Farnam. Under the agreement, hardware and non-hardware with a cost of $964,612 was financed over a period of 36 months at a lease rate factor of 2.81% per $1 for hardware equipment and 3.12% per $1 for non-hardware equipment. At the end of the lease the Company can opt to continue to rent the equipment, return the equipment, or exercise a fair market value purchase option. As of March 31, 2017, approximately $49,420 is outstanding and payable in 2017.

Litigation and Claims

From time to time the Company may be subject to various claims and legal proceedings arising out of the normal course of our business. These claims and legal proceedings may relate to contractual rights and obligations, employment matters, and claims of product liability. The most significant of these actions, proceedings and investigations are described below. STAAR maintains insurance coverage for product liability and certain securities claims. Legal proceedings can extend for several years, and the matters described below concerning the Company are at very early stages of the legal and administrative process. As a result, these matters have not yet progressed sufficiently through discovery and/or development of important factual information and legal issues to enable the Company to determine whether the proceedings are material to the Company or to estimate a range of possible loss, if any. Unless otherwise disclosed, the Company is unable to estimate the possible loss or range of loss for the legal proceedings described below. While it is not possible to accurately predict or determine outcomes of these items, an adverse determination in one or more of these items currently pending could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated results of operations, financial position, or cash flows.

Stockholder Securities Litigation: Todd Action

On July 8, 2014, a putative securities class action lawsuit was filed by Edward Todd against STAAR and three officers in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The plaintiff claims that STAAR made misleading statements to and omitted material information from our investors between February 27, 2013 and June 30, 2014 about alleged regulatory violations at STAAR’s Monrovia manufacturing facility. On October 20, 2014, plaintiff amended its complaint, dismissed two Company officers, added one other officer, reduced the alleged Class Period to November 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014, and demanded compensatory damages and attorneys’ fees. On January 5, 2017, the court granted plaintiff’s Motion for Class Certification. Although the ultimate outcome of this action cannot be determined with certainty, the Company believes that the allegations in the Complaint are without merit. The Company intends to vigorously defend itself against this lawsuit. The Company has not recorded any loss or accrual in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements at March 31, 2017 and December 30, 2016 for this matter as the likelihood and amount of loss, if any, has not been determined and is not currently estimable.

Stockholder Derivative Litigation: Forestal Action

On June 21, 2016, Kevin Forestal filed a stockholder derivative complaint against our then-current Board of Directors, which included Caren Mason, Mark B. Logan, Stephen C. Farrell, Richard A. Meier, John C. Moore, J. Steven Roush, Louis E. Silverman, and William P. Wall, and STAAR as well as Barry G. Caldwell and John S. Santos in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. The plaintiff alleges breaches of fiduciary duties by, among other things, allowing STAAR to disseminate misleading statements to investors regarding the condition of the Company’s Quality System, failing to properly oversee the Company, and unjust enrichment. The complaint seeks damages, restitution and governance reforms, attorneys’ fees, and costs. On January 31, 2017, the court granted the Company’s Motion to Dismiss. On February 6, 2017, plaintiff filed a Notice of Appeal. Although the ultimate outcome of this action cannot be determined with certainty, the Company believes that the allegations in the Complaint are without merit. The Company has not recorded any loss or accrual in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements at March 31, 2017 and December 30, 2016 for this matter as the likelihood and amount of loss, if any, has not been determined and is not currently estimable.

Employment Agreements

The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and certain officers have as provisions of their agreements certain rights, including continuance of cash compensation and benefits, upon a “change in control,” which may include an acquisition of substantially all of its assets, or termination “without cause or for good reason” as defined in the employment agreements.