Digimarc Corporation (“Digimarc” or the “Company”), an Oregon corporation, is the inventor of a platform that enables a more efficient, reliable and economical means of automatic identification. The Digimarc Platform can apply a unique identifier to virtually all media objects—including product packaging, commercial print, audio and video—that can be automatically identified by an enabled ecosystem of industrial scanners, smartphones and other interfaces. These capabilities allow Digimarc and its partners to supply a wide range of solutions for retail and supply chain operations, consumer engagement, media management and security.

The Digimarc Platform features three core capabilities for the identification, discovery and quality management of media. Digimarc Barcode integrates the identification function, which is a novel data carrier encoded into media in ways that are generally imperceptible to people, permitting the carrier to be repeated many times over the surface of the enhanced media. Digimarc Discover represents the discovery function, which is software for computing devices and network interfaces that recognize and decode indicia of the identity of media. These include, but are not limited to, Digimarc Barcodes, Quick Response Codes, Universal Product Codes, certain other GS1 approved one-dimensional codes and relevant contextual data. Digimarc Verify incorporates the quality management function, a suite of software tools used to inspect and verify that the identification and discovery of media are both accurate and effective. Together, these core capabilities enable organizations, application developers, and other solution providers to build new and improve existing automatic identification solutions.

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Digimarc and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated.

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (“U.S. GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. The Company’s accounting policies for revenue recognition require higher degrees of judgment than others in their application. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable in the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Certain prior period amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes thereto have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation, including the reclassification of revenue and expense accounts to better align with the presentation provided by our peers in the software industry. These reclassifications had no material effect on the results of operations or financial position for any period presented.

The Company considers all highly liquid marketable securities with original maturities of 90 days or less at the date of acquisition to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents include money market securities, commercial paper and pre-refunded municipals totaling $18,568 and $10,436 at December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Cash equivalents are carried at either cost or amortized cost depending on the type of security, which approximates fair value.

The Company considers all investments with original maturities over 90 days that mature in less than one-year from the balance sheet date to be short-term marketable securities. Short-term marketable securities primarily include commercial paper, pre-refunded municipals and corporate notes. The Company’s marketable securities are classified as held-to-maturity and are reported at amortized cost, which approximates market value.

A decline in the market value of any security below amortized cost that is deemed to be other-than-temporary results in a reduction in the carrying amount. The impairment is charged to earnings and a new cost basis for the security is established. To determine whether an impairment is other-than-temporary, the Company considers whether it has the ability and intent to hold the investment until a market price recovery and considers whether evidence indicating that the cost of the investment is recoverable outweighs evidence to the contrary. There have been no other-than-temporary impairments identified or recorded by the Company.

Premiums and discounts are amortized or accreted over the life of the related security as an adjustment to yield using a method that approximates the effective interest method. Under this method, dividend and interest income are recognized when earned.

Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 820 “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S., and enhances disclosures about fair value measurements. ASC 820 describes a fair value hierarchy based on three levels of inputs, of which the first two are considered observable and the last unobservable, that may be used to measure fair value, which are the following:

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments, which include cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other accrued liabilities, approximate their carrying values due to the short-term nature of these instruments.

The Company’s fair value hierarchy for its cash equivalents and marketable securities as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, was as follows:

December 31, 2020	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Money market securities	$	10,988	$	—	$	—	$	10,988
Commercial paper		—		36,478		—		36,478
Pre-refunded municipals		—		26,697		—		26,697
Corporate notes		—		2,437		—		2,437
Total	$	10,988	$	65,612	$	—	$	76,600

December 31, 2019	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Money market securities	$	746	$	—	$	—	$	746
Commercial paper		—		25,481		—		25,481
Corporate notes		—		5,773		—		5,773
U.S. treasuries		—		4,040		—		4,040
Total	$	746	$	35,294	$	—	$	36,040

The fair value maturities of the Company’s cash equivalents and marketable securities as of December 31, 2020 are as follows:

Maturities by Period

Total

Less than

1 year

1-5

years

5 - 10

years

More than

10 years

Cash equivalents and marketable securities

76,600

—

A significant portion of the Company’s business depends on a limited number of large contracts. The loss of any large contract may result in loss of revenue and margin on a prospective basis. Financial instruments that potentially subject Digimarc to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, and accounts receivable. Digimarc places its cash and cash equivalents with major banks and financial institutions and at times deposits may exceed insured limits. Other than cash used for operating needs, which may include short-term marketable securities with the Company’s principal banks, Digimarc’s investment policy limits its credit exposure to any one financial institution or type of financial instrument by limiting the maximum of 5% of its cash equivalents and marketable securities or $1,000, whichever is greater, to be invested in any one issuer except for the U.S. government, U.S. federal agencies and U.S. backed securities, which have no limits, at the time of purchase. The Company’s investment policy also limits its credit exposure by limiting the maximum of 40% of its cash equivalents and marketable securities, or $15,000, whichever is greater, to be invested in any one industry category, (e.g., financial or energy industries), at the time of purchase. As a result, Digimarc’s credit risk associated with cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities is believed to be minimal.

The Company evaluates all pending or threatened contingencies or commitments, if any, that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s operations or financial position. The Company assesses the probability of an adverse outcome and determines if it is remote, reasonably possible or probable as defined in accordance with ASC 450 “Contingencies.” If information available prior to the issuance of the financial statements indicates that it is probable that an asset has been impaired or a liability has been incurred at the date of the financial statements, and the amount of the loss, or the range of probable loss can be reasonably estimated, then the loss is accrued and charged to operations. If no accrual is made for a loss contingency because one or both of the conditions pursuant to ASC 450 are not met, but the probability of an adverse outcome is at least reasonably possible, the Company will disclose the nature of the contingency and provide an estimate of the possible loss or range of loss, or state that such an estimate cannot be made.

The Company tests goodwill for impairment annually and whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may exceed the fair value, in accordance with ASC 350 “Intangibles – Goodwill and Other”. The Company operates as a single reporting unit. The Company estimates the fair value of its single reporting unit using a market approach, which takes into account the Company’s market capitalization plus an estimated control premium. In connection with the Company’s annual impairment test of goodwill as of June 30, 2020 and 2019, it was concluded that there was no impairment to goodwill as the estimated fair value of the Company’s reporting unit exceeded the carrying value.

The Company assesses long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable, in accordance with ASC 360 “Property, Plant and Equipment.”

Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of the assets to future net undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated by the assets over their remaining useful life. If such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment would be recognized in operating results at the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the assets. Fair value is determined based on discounted cash flows or appraised values, depending on the nature of the assets.

Assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of the carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred in accordance with ASC 730 “Research and Development.”

Under ASC 985 “Software,” software development costs are to be capitalized beginning when a product’s technological feasibility has been established and ending when a product is made available for general release to customers. To date, the establishment of technological feasibility of the Company’s products has occurred shortly before general release and, therefore, software development costs qualifying for capitalization have been immaterial. Accordingly, the Company has not capitalized any software development costs and has charged all such costs to research and development expense.

Costs associated with the application and award of patents in the U.S. and various other countries are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the patents as determined at award date, which varies depending on the pendency period of the application. Capitalized patent costs, also referred to as patent prosecution costs, include internal legal labor, professional legal fees, government filing fees and translation fees related to expanding the Company’s patent portfolio.

Costs associated with the maintenance and annuity fees of patents are accounted for as prepaid assets at the time of payment and amortized over the shorter of the maintenance period or remaining life of the related patent.

See Note 2 for detailed disclosures of the Company’s revenue recognition policy.

The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with ASC 718 “Compensation—Stock Compensation,” which requires the measurement and recognition of compensation for all stock-based awards made to employees and directors including stock options and restricted stock based on estimated fair values. The estimated fair value of stock option and restricted stock awards is recognized over the vesting period of the award using the straight-line method.

For stock option awards, the Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model as its method of valuation. The Company’s determination of the fair value on the date of grant (measurement date) is affected by its stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the expected life of the award, the Company’s expected stock price volatility over the term of the award, the risk-free interest rate and the expected dividend yield.

For restricted stock awards which vest upon meeting a service condition, the Company uses the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant (measurement date) as its method of valuation.

For performance restricted stock awards which vest upon meeting both a market condition and a service condition, the Company uses the Monte Carlo Simulation model as its method of valuation. The Company’s determination of the fair value on the date of grant (measurement date) is affected by its stock price as well as assumptions regarding a number of subjective variables. These variables include, but are not limited to, the expected stock price volatility over the term of the award and the risk-free interest rate.

Although the fair value of stock-based awards is determined in accordance with ASC 718 and Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 107 “Shared-Based Payment,” the Black-Scholes option pricing model and the Monte Carlo Simulation model require the input of subjective assumptions, and other reasonable assumptions could provide differing results.

The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740 “Income Taxes” utilizing the asset and liability method. Under the asset and liability method, deferred income taxes reflect the future tax consequences of differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their financial reporting amounts. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period of enactment.

The Company records valuation allowances on deferred tax assets if, based on available evidence, it is more-likely-than-not that all or some portion of the assets will not be realized.

The Company is subject to income taxes within the U.S. and other countries, and, in the ordinary course of business, there are transactions and calculations where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. The Company reports a liability (or contra asset) for unrecognized tax benefits resulting from uncertain tax positions taken (or expected to be taken) on a tax return. The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to the unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense.

In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (ASC 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” which amends the guidance on the impairment of financial instruments. The amendments in this update removes the thresholds that entities apply to measure credit losses on financial instruments measured at amortized cost, such as loans, trade receivables, reinsurance recoverables, off-balance-sheet credit exposures, and held-to-maturity securities. Under current U.S. GAAP, entities generally recognize credit losses when it is probable that the loss has been incurred. The guidance removes all current recognition thresholds and introduces the new current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model which will require entities to recognize an allowance for credit losses for the difference between the amortized cost basis of a financial instrument and the amount of amortized cost that an entity expects to collect over the instrument’s contractual life. The new CECL model is based upon expected losses rather than incurred losses. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2022. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the impact of the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations and disclosures.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, “Income Taxes (ASC 740) Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes,” that removes certain exceptions to the general principles and also improves consistent application of and simplify generally accepted accounting principles. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the impact of the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations and disclosures.