XML 31 R20.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.24.3

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies) | 9 Months Ended
--- | ---
Sep. 30, 2024
Accounting Policies [Abstract] |
Use of Estimates and Assumptions |
| [1] | Use of Estimates and Assumptions
The preparation of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. The significant estimates and assumptions made in the preparation of the Company’s unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include costs related to the Company’s assertion of litigation, valuation of the Company’s patent portfolios, stock-based compensation, the recoverability of deferred tax assets and the carrying value of the Company’s equity method investments. Actual results could be materially different from those estimates upon which the carrying values were based. Certain amounts recorded to reflect the Company’s share of income or losses of its equity method investee, accounted for under the equity method, are based on estimates and the unaudited results of operations of the equity method investee and may require adjustment in the future when the audit of the equity method investee is complete. The Company reports its share of the results of its equity method investee on a one quarter lag basis.
Revenue Recognition |
[2] |  | Revenue Recognition
Under ASC 606, revenue is recognized when the Company completes the licensing of its intellectual property to its licensees, obtains a final judgment awarding damages or enters into a litigation settlement agreement involving its patents. With respect to licensing its intellectual property, obtaining a final judgment or entering into a litigation settlement agreement, revenue is recognized in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for licensing its intellectual property, obtaining a final judgment or in a settlement of the litigation. The Company determines revenue recognition through the following steps:
| • | identification of the license agreement, the final judgment or the litigation settlement agreement;
| • | identification of the performance obligations in the license agreement, the final judgment or the litigation settlement agreement;
| • | determination of the consideration for the license, final judgment or settlement;
| • | allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and
| • | recognition of revenue when the Company satisfies its performance obligations.
Revenue disaggregated by source is as follows:
Schedule of revenue disaggregated |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
|  | Nine Months Ended September 30, |  |  | Three Months Ended September 30, |
|  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |  |  | 2024 |  |  | 2023 |
Litigation settlements |  | $ | 100,000 |  |  | $ | 820,000 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
Total Revenue |  | $ | 100,000 |  |  | $ | 820,000 |  |  | $ | — |  |  | $ | — |
During the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023, the Company had no revenue. Revenue from the Company’s patent licensing and enforcement business is typically generated from negotiated license agreements or settlement agreements with respect to any of the Company’s patents. The timing and amount of revenue recognized from each licensee or such settlement agreement depends upon a variety of factors, including the terms of each agreement and the nature of the obligations of the parties. These agreements may include, but not be limited to, elements related to past infringement liabilities, non-refundable upfront license fees, and ongoing royalties on licensed products sold by the licensee. Generally, in the event of a litigation settlement related to the Company’s assertion of patent infringement involving its intellectual property, defendants may either pay (i) a non-refundable lump sum payment for a non-exclusive fully-paid license, (ii) a non-refundable lump sum payment (license initiation fee) together with an ongoing obligation to pay quarterly or monthly royalties to the Company for the life of the licensed patent, or (iii) a lump sum settlement payment with respect to litigation involving the Company’s expired patents. Fully-paid licenses provide for a non-refundable up-front payment for which the Company has no future obligations or performance requirements, revenue is generally recognized when the Company has obtained the signed license agreement, all performance obligations have been substantially performed, amounts are fixed and determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue from fully-paid licenses may consist of one or more installments. The timing and amount of revenue recognized from each licensee depends upon a number of factors including the specific terms of each agreement and the nature of the deliverables and obligations.
Equity Method Investments |
[3] |  | Equity Method Investments
Equity method investments are equity securities in entities the Company does not control but over which it has the ability to exercise significant influence. These investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting in accordance with ASC 323, Investments — Equity Method and Joint Ventures (see Note J hereof). Equity method investments are measured at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus the Company’s share of an investee’s income or loss. The Company’s proportionate share of the income or loss from equity method investments is recognized on a one-quarter lag. When the Company’s carrying value in an equity method investment is reduced to zero, no further losses are recorded in the Company’s financial statements unless the Company has guaranteed obligations of the investee company or has committed additional funding. When the investee company subsequently reports income, the Company will not record its share of such income until it equals the amount of its share of losses not previously recognized.
Income Taxes |
[4] |  | Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 740, Income Taxes (ASC 740), which requires the Company to use the assets and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the assets and liability method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of temporary (timing) differences by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years to differences between financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Under this accounting standard, the effect on deferred income taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recognized if it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. As of September 30, 2024, the Company had total deferred tax assets generated from its activities of $1,367,000. The Company’s deferred tax assets were offset by a valuation allowance of $1,367,000 as it was determined that it is more likely than not that certain deferred tax assets will not be realized. As of September 30, 2024, the Company also had a deferred tax liability of $407,000. The personal holding company (“PHC”) rules under the Internal Revenue Code impose a 20% tax on a PHC’s undistributed personal holding company income (“UPHCI”), which means, in general, taxable income subject to certain adjustments and reduced by certain distributions to shareholders. For a corporation to be classified as a PHC, it must satisfy two tests: (i) that more than 50% in value of its outstanding shares must be owned directly or indirectly by five or fewer individuals at any time during the second half of the year (after applying constructive ownership rules to attribute stock owned by entities to their beneficial owners and among certain family members and other related parties) (the “Ownership Test”) and (ii) at least 60% of its adjusted ordinary gross income for a taxable year consists of dividends, interest, royalties, annuities and rents (the “Income Test”). At September 30, 2024, based on available information concerning the Company’s shareholder ownership, the Company did not satisfy the Ownership Test. However, during the second half of 2024 the Company may subsequently be determined to be a PHC in 2024 or in future years if it satisfies both the Ownership Test and Income Test. If the Company were to become a PHC in 2024 or any future year, it would be subject to the 20% tax on its UPHCI. In such event, the Company may issue a special cash dividend to its shareholders in an amount equal to the UPHCI rather than incur the 20% tax. ASC 740-10, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, defines uncertainty in income taxes and the evaluation of a tax position as a two-step process. The first step is to determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of any related appeals or litigation based on the technical merits of that position. The second step is to measure a tax position that meets the more-likely-than-not threshold to determine the amount of benefit to be recognized in the financial statements. A tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be recognized in the first subsequent period in which the threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not criteria should be de-recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which the threshold is no longer met. The Company had no uncertain tax positions as of September 30, 2024. The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to income tax in the income tax provision in the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. U.S. federal, state and local income tax returns prior to 2020 are not subject to examination by any applicable tax authorities, except that tax authorities could challenge returns (only under certain circumstances) for earlier years to the extent they generated loss carry-forwards that are available for those future years.
New Accounting Standards |
[5] |  | New Accounting Standards
Segments In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. ASU 2023-07 updates reportable segment disclosure requirements primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. ASU 2023-07 is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and for interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments should be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating ASU 2023-07 to determine its impact on the Company's disclosures, however, the Company does not expect ASU 2023-07 to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Income Tax Disclosure In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures. ASU 2023-09 requires disaggregated information about a reporting entity’s effective tax rate reconciliation as well as information on income taxes paid. The new requirements will be effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024. The guidance will be applied on a prospective basis with the option to apply the standard retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating ASU 2023-09 to determine its impact on the Company's disclosures, however, the Company does not expect ASU 2023-09 to have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_AccountingPoliciesAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Disclosure of accounting policy for equity method of accounting for investments and other interests. Investment includes, but is not limited to, unconsolidated subsidiary, corporate joint venture, noncontrolling interest in real estate venture, limited partnership, and limited liability company. Information includes, but is not limited to, ownership percentage, reason equity method is or is not considered appropriate, and accounting policy election for distribution received. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 323 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (a)(2) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147481687/323-10-50-3 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 825 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (f) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482907/825-10-50-28 Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 45 -Paragraph 21D -SubTopic 10 -Topic 230 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482740/230-10-45-21D + Details
Name: | us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentsPolicy
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | dtr-types:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Disclosure of accounting policy for income taxes, which may include its accounting policies for recognizing and measuring deferred tax assets and liabilities and related valuation allowances, recognizing investment tax credits, operating loss carryforwards, tax credit carryforwards, and other carryforwards, methodologies for determining its effective income tax rate and the characterization of interest and penalties in the financial statements. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 20 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482685/740-10-50-20 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 19 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482685/740-10-50-19 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 45 -Paragraph 25 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482525/740-10-45-25 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 946 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section S99 -Paragraph 3 -Subparagraph (SX 210.6-03(h)(1)) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479886/946-10-S99-3 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 17 -Subparagraph (b) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482685/740-10-50-17 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482685/740-10-50-9 Reference 7: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 740 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482525/740-10-45-28 Reference 8: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 220 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482765/220-10-50-1 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_IncomeTaxPolicyTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | dtr-types:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Disclosure of accounting policy pertaining to new accounting pronouncements that may impact the entity's financial reporting. Includes, but is not limited to, quantification of the expected or actual impact. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_NewAccountingPronouncementsPolicyPolicyTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | dtr-types:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Disclosure of accounting policy for revenue. Includes revenue from contract with customer and from other sources. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Topic 946 -SubTopic 220 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SX 210.6-07(1)) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147479134/946-220-S99-1 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Topic 235 -SubTopic 10 -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (f) -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483426/235-10-50-4 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/exampleRef -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Subparagraph (e) -SubTopic 10 -Topic 235 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147483426/235-10-50-4 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RevenueRecognitionPolicyTextBlock
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | dtr-types:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Disclosure of accounting policy for the use of estimates in the preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles. + References Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 275 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 9 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482861/275-10-50-9 Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 275 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482861/275-10-50-4 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -SubTopic 10 -Topic 275 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482861/275-10-50-1 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -SubTopic 10 -Topic 275 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482861/275-10-50-1 Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 11 -SubTopic 10 -Topic 275 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482861/275-10-50-11 Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Section 50 -Paragraph 12 -SubTopic 10 -Topic 275 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482861/275-10-50-12 Reference 7: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 275 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 8 -Publisher FASB -URI https://asc.fasb.org/1943274/2147482861/275-10-50-8 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_UseOfEstimates
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | dtr-types:textBlockItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration