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Note 7 - Commitments and Contingencies | 12 Months Ended
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Dec. 31, 2016
Notes to Financial Statements |
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] | Note 7 - Commitments and Contingencies
a. | Indemnity
Our organizational documents provide that our directors or officers will be reimbursed for all expenses, to the fullest extent permitted by law arising out of their performance.
b. | Purchase Commitments
As of December 31, 2016, we have made commitments to purchase approximately $504 of production machinery and equipment.
c. | China
Our operating facility in China presents risks including, but not limited to, changes in local regulatory requirements, including changes in labor laws, local wage laws, environmental regulations, taxes and operating licenses, compliance with U.S. regulatory requirements, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, uncertainties as to application and interpretation of local laws and enforcement of contract and intellectual property rights, eminent domain claims, labor disputes, rapid changes in government, economic and political policies, and other various contingencies that are outside of our control. Any such event could depress our earnings and have other material adverse effects on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
d. | Employment Contracts
We have an employment contract with Michael D. Popielec, our President and Chief Executive Officer, which remains in effect until terminated by either party. This agreement provides for a base salary, as adjusted for increases at the discretion of our Board of Directors, and includes incentive bonuses based upon attainment of specified quantitative and qualitative performance goals. This agreement also provides for severance payments in the event of specified events of termination of employment. In addition, this agreement provides for a lump sum payment in the event of termination of employment in connection with a change in control. As part of our employment commencement process, employees are required to enter into agreements providing for confidentiality of certain information and the assignment of rights to inventions made by them while employed by us. These agreements also contain certain non-competition and non-solicitation provisions effective during the employment term and for varying periods thereafter depending on position and location. There can be no assurance that we will be able to enforce these agreements. All of our employees agree to abide by the terms of a Code of Ethics policy that provides for the confidentiality of certain information received during the course of their employment.
e. | Product Warranties
We estimate future costs associated with expected product failure rates, material usage and service costs in the development of our warranty obligations. Warranty reserves are based on historical experience of warranty claims and generally will be estimated as a percentage of sales over the warranty period. In the event the actual results of these items differ from the estimates, an adjustment to the warranty obligation would be recorded. Changes in our product warranty liability during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 were as follows:
|  | 201 6 |  |  | 201 5 |
Balance, January 1 |  | $ | 192 |  |  | $ | 376 |
Provision (reversal) for warranties issued |  |  | 39 |  |  |  | (90 | )
Settlements made |  |  | (59 | ) |  |  | (94 | )
Balance, December 31 |  | $ | 172 |  |  | $ | 192 |
f . | Legal Matters –
We are subject to legal proceedings and claims that arise in the normal course of business. We believe that the final disposition of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Dreamliner Litigation In July 2013, an unoccupied Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft operated by Ethiopian Airlines (“EA”) was damaged by a fire while parked at London Heathrow Airport. We participated in and provided technical assistance in support of an investigation of this incident conducted by U.K. and U.S. regulatory authorities as well as by the manufacturer of the aircraft, as we are one of many downstream suppliers to that manufacturer. A final report was issued by the Air Accidents Investigative Branch - - UK Civil Aviation regulatory authority, with findings indicating that the fire was primarily caused by circumstances related to the plane’s emergency locator transmitter (“ELT”) manufactured and installed by another company. A component of the ELT is a battery pack which incorporates Ultralife’s industry-standard Lithium Manganese Dioxide non-rechargeable D-cell. Ultralife has had this cell in production since 2001, with millions of units produced. The cell is widely-used for global defense and commercial applications. This battery product has gone through rigorous safety and qualification testing, including United Nations Transport of Dangerous Goods, Manual of Tests and Criteria, and is authorized for use in aerospace applications under Technical Standard Order C142. On May 4, 2015, we were notified of a lawsuit in which we were named, along with other suppliers to the aircraft manufacturer, concerning that 2013 fire. The suit was filed by EA in the Commercial Court, Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court of Justice, London and seeks as damages $42,000 plus other unspecified amounts, including those for loss of use and diminution in value of the aircraft. We maintain liability and products liability insurance through reputable providers, and in accordance with our corporate practices, immediately advised and referred this matter to our insurers. We are working with those insurers and their counsel to actively defend against this action, which is ongoing. At this time, we believe that there is not a reasonable possibility that this incident will result in a material financial exposure to the Company. Arista Power Litigation Since September 2011, we have been pursuing legal action against Arista Power, Inc. (“Arista”) and our former employee, David Modeen, for, among other things, alleged breach of certain agreements, duties and obligations, including misappropriation of our confidential information and trade secrets, tortious interference, and breach of contract. On January 12, 2016, Arista filed for liquidation under Chapter 7 of the bankruptcy laws of the United States, without accurately identifying our ongoing lawsuit against them. Although we have not withdrawn our lawsuit, nor has it been dismissed, the Company did not submit a Proof of Claim in connection with Arista’s bankruptcy filing, nor does it intend to actively pursue its claims against Arista at this time.

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