COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2021

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

a. Iconic Guarantees

On May 26, 2015, BiVi entered into a License Agreement with Neighborhood Licensing, LLC (the “BiVi Licensor”), an entity owned by Chazz Palminteri (“Palminteri”), to use Palminteri’s endorsement, signature and other intellectual property owned by the BiVi Licensor. The Company has agreed to guarantee and act as surety for BiVi’s obligations under certain sections of the License Agreement and to indemnify the BiVi Licensor and Palminteri against third party claims.

On November 12, 2015, Bellissima entered into a License Agreement with Christie Brinkley, Inc. (the “Bellissima Licensor”), an entity owned by Christie Brinkley (“Brinkley”), to use Brinkley’s endorsement, signature, and other intellectual property owned by the Bellissima Licensor. The Company has agreed to guarantee and act as surety for Bellissima’s obligations under certain sections of the License Agreement and to indemnify the Bellissima Licensor and Brinkley against third party claims.

b. Royalty Obligations of BiVi and Bellissima

Pursuant to the License Agreement with the Bivi Licensor (see Note 12a. above), BiVi is obligated to pay the BiVi Licensor a Royalty Fee equal to 5% of monthly gross sales of BiVi Brand products payable monthly subject to an annual Minimum Royalty Fee of $100,000 in year 1, $150,000 in year 2, $165,000 in year 3, $181,500 in year 4, $199,650 in year 5, and $219,615 in year 6 and each subsequent year. The Minimum Royalty Fee has been waived until such time as the parties agree to reinstate the Minimum Royalty Fee.

Pursuant to the License Agreement and Amendment No. 1 to the License Agreement effective September 30, 2017 with the Bellissima Licensor (see Note 11a. above), Bellissima is obligated to pay the Bellissima Licensor a Royalty Fee equal to 10% of monthly gross sales (12.5% for sales in excess of defined Case Break Points) of Bellissima Brand products payable monthly. The Bellissima Licensor has the right to terminate the endorsement if Bellissima fails to sell 10,000 cases of Bellissima Brand products in year 1, 15,000 cases in year 2, or 20,000 cases in year 3 and each subsequent year.

c. Brand Licensing Agreement relating to Hooters Marks

On July 23, 2018, United Spirits, Inc. (“United”) executed a Brand Licensing Agreement (the “Hooters Agreement”) with HI Limited Partnership (“the Licensor”). The Agreement provides United a license to use certain “Hooters” Marks to manufacture, market, distribute, and sell alcoholic products.

The Initial Term of the Hooters Agreement is from July 23, 2018 through December 31, 2020. Provided that United is not in breach of any terms of the Agreement, United may extend the Term for an additional 3 years through December 31, 2023.

The Hooters Agreement provides for United’s payment of Royalty Fees (payable quarterly) to Hooters equal to 6% of the net sales of the licensed products subject to a minimum royalty fee of $65,000 for Agreement year 1 (ending December 31, 2018), $255,000 for Agreement year 2, $315,000 for Agreement year 3 and 4, $360,000 for Agreement year 5, and $420,000 for Agreement year 6.

On November 1, 2021, the Company amended its agreement with Hooters (the “Amended Agreement”) which will be effective until December 31, 2025 with an option to extend until 2028. Under the Amended Agreement, the Company must pay Hooters 10% of net sales of all products during the term. Both parties agreed that unpaid minimum royalties accrued under the original agreement is cancelled. During the year ended December 31, 2021, the parties cancelled $577,590 of unpaid accrued royalties.

d. Marketing and Order Processing Services Agreement

During October 2019, United executed a Marketing and Order Processing Services Agreement (the “QVC Agreement”) with QVC, Inc. (“QVC”). Among other things, the Agreement provides for United’s grant to QVC of an exclusive worldwide right to promote the Bellissima products through direct response television programs.

The Initial License Period commenced October 2019 and expires in December 2021 (i.e., two years after first airing of a Bellissima product). Unless either party notifies the other party in writing at least 30 days prior to the end of the Initial License Period or any Renewal License Period of its intent to terminate the QVC Agreement, the License continually renews for additional two-year periods. In January 2022, the license renewed for another two years.

The QVC Agreement provides for United’s payment of “Marketing Fees” (payable no less than monthly) to QVC in amounts agreed to between United and QVC from time to time. For the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, the marketing fees expense was $292,562 and $461,861, respectively, and the direct response sales generated from QVC programs was $1,599,732 and $1,994,349, respectively.

e. Distribution Agreement

On May 1, 2015, BiVi entered into a Distribution Agreement with United for United to distribute and wholesale BiVi’s product and to act as the licensed importer and wholesaler. The Distribution Agreement provides United the exclusive right for a term of ten years to sell BiVi’s product for an agreed distribution fee equal to $1.00 per case of product sold.

In November 2015, Bellissima and United agreed to have United distribute and wholesale Bellissima’s products under the same terms contained in the Distribution Agreement with BiVi described in the preceding paragraph.

Effective April 1, 2019, the Company and United agreed to have United distribute and wholesale Hooters brand products under the same terms contained in the Distribution Agreement with BiVi described in the second preceding paragraph.

f. Concentration of sales

For the year ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, sales consisted of:

	2021		2020
Bellissima product line:
QVC direct response sales	$	1,599,732	$	1,994,349
Other		1,112,499		704,705
Total Bellissima		2,712,231		2,699,054
TopPop		2,192,119		-
Hooters product line		55,666		149,859
Total	$	4,960,016	$	2,848,913

Accounts receivable due from QVC direct response sales was $227,617 and $272,297 as of December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. 

g. Commission Agreements

On July 10, 2019, the Company executed a Commission Agreement with CAA-GBA USA, LLC (“CCA-GBG”). The agreement provides CCA-GBG to receive 5% revenue generated with respect to the co-packing or related manufacturing deal for Anheuser-Busch, LLC. Additionally, CAA-GBG is also entitled to receive 5% of revenue for new business identified. The initial agreement expires on July 31, 2021 and automatically renews every year. The Company has decided to keep this agreement in place and no commissions were incurred under this agreement since the date of acquisition of TopPop (July 26, 2021) through December 31, 2021.

Effective December 11, 2019, the Company executed a Commission Agreement with Christopher J. Connolly. Mr. Connolly had agreed to provide sales representation services to Company for alcohol ice pop packing opportunities in exchange for commission. The agreement provides a commission 5% of gross revenue collected. The initial term is one year from the effective date. The agreement will renew automatically for 1-year terms unless the agreement is terminated. The Company has decided to keep this agreement in place and no commissions were incurred under this agreement since the date of acquisition of TopPop (July 26, 2021) through December 31, 2021.