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Commitments and Contingencies
6 Months Ended
Jun. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies
8. Commitments and Contingencies

 

     On October 24, 2011, the Company initiated a law suit against Coupons.com Incorporated (“Coupons.com”). The suit was filed in the United States District Court, Western District of New York, located in Rochester, New York. Coupons.com is a Delaware corporation having its principal place of business located in Mountain View, California. In the Coupons.com complaint, the Company alleged breach of contract, misappropriation of trade secrets, unfair competition and unjust enrichment, and is seeking money damages from Coupons.com for those claims. The Company's breach of contract claim remains intact as of the date of this report.

 

     On October 3, 2012, DSS Technology Management's subsidiary, Bascom Research, LLC, commenced legal proceedings against five companies, including Facebook, Inc. and LinkedIn Corporation, in the United States District Court, Eastern District of Virginia, pursuant to which Bascom Research, LLC alleges infringement of certain of its patents relating to networking technologies (the “Bascom Litigation”). Bascom Research, LLC is seeking a judgment for infringement, injunctive relief, compensatory damages, treble damages for willful infringement, costs and attorneys' fees. In December 2012, the Bascom Litigation was transferred to the United States District Court, Northern District of California, and is still in process.

 

     On November 26, 2013, DSS Technology Management filed suit against Apple, Inc., in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, for patent infringement (the “Apple Litigation”). The Apple Litigation relates to certain patents owned by DSS Technology Management in the wireless peripheral technology space. DSS Technology Management is seeking a judgment for infringement, injunctive relief, and compensatory damages from Apple, Inc.

 

     On March 10, 2014, DSS Technology Management filed suit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas against Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, TSMC North America, TSMC Development, Inc., Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Samsung Electronics America, Inc., Samsung Telecommunications America L.L.C., Samsung Semiconductor, Inc., Samsung Austin Semiconductor LLC, and NEC Corporation of America, for patent infringement involving one of its semiconductor patents. In this case, DSS Technology Management is seeking a judgment for infringement, injunctive relief, and money damages from each of the named defendants.

 

     On May 30, 2014, DSS Technology Management filed suit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas against Lenovo (United States), Inc. for patent infringement of a patent owned by DSS Technology Management in the wireless peripheral technology space. DSS Technology Management is seeking a judgment for infringement, injunctive relief, and compensatory damages from Lenovo (United States), Inc.

 

     In addition to the foregoing, the Company is subject to other legal proceedings that have arisen in the ordinary course of business and have not been finally adjudicated. Although there can be no assurance in this regard, in the opinion of management, none of the legal proceedings to which the Company is a party, whether discussed herein or otherwise, will have a material adverse effect on its results of operations, cash flows or financial condition.

 

    Contingent Litigation Payments – The Company retains the services of professional service providers, including law firms that specialize in intellectual property licensing, enforcement and patent law. These service providers are often retained on an hourly, monthly, project, contingent or a blended fee basis. In contingency fee arrangements, a portion of the legal fee is based on predetermined milestones or the Company's actual collection of funds. The Company accrues contingent fees when it is probable that the milestones will be achieved and the fees can be reasonably estimated. As of June 30, 2014, the Company has not accrued any contingent legal fees pursuant to these arrangements.

 

    Contingent Payments – The Company is party to certain agreements with funding partners who have rights to portions of IP monetization proceeds that the Company receives.

 

    Related Party Consulting Payments –  The Company has a consulting agreement with Patrick White, its former CEO. During the six months ended June 30, 2014, the Company paid approximately $75,000 to Mr. White and expects to pay approximately $105,000 in future monthly payments through the expiration of the agreement in March 2015.