XML 29 R17.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v3.8.0.1
CONTINGENCIES
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2017
CONTINGENCIES  
CONTINGENCIES

NOTE 11-CONTINGENCIES

 

We are not party to any legal proceedings at December 31, 2017.  We are occasionally involved in legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including actions against us which assert or may assert claims or seek to impose fines and penalties in substantial amounts.  Related legal defense costs are expensed as incurred.

 

Warranties

 

We establish reserves for future product warranty costs that are expected to be incurred pursuant to specific warranty provisions with our customers.  We generally warrant our products against defects for one year from date of shipment, with certain exceptions in which the warranty period can extend to more than one year based on contractual agreements.  Our warranty reserves are established at the time of sale and updated throughout the warranty period based upon numerous factors including historical warranty return rates and expenses over various warranty periods.  Historically, our warranty returns have not been material.

 

Intellectual Property Indemnities

 

We indemnify certain customers and our contract manufacturers against liability arising from third-party claims of intellectual property rights infringement related to our products.  These indemnities appear in development and supply agreements with our customers as well as manufacturing service agreements with our contract manufacturers, are not limited in amount or duration and generally survive the expiration of the contract.  Given that the amount of any potential liabilities related to such indemnities cannot be determined until an infringement claim has been made, we are unable to determine the maximum amount of losses that we could incur related to such indemnifications.

 

Director and Officer Indemnities and Contractual Guarantees

 

We have entered into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers, which require us to indemnify such individuals to the fullest extent permitted by Nevada law.  Our indemnification obligations under such agreements are not limited in amount or duration.  Certain costs incurred in connection with such indemnifications may be recovered under certain circumstances under various insurance policies.  Given that the amount of any potential liabilities related to such indemnities cannot be determined until a lawsuit has been filed, we are unable to determine the maximum amount of losses that we could incur relating to such indemnities.

 

We have also entered into an employment agreement with Steven N. Bronson, our Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer.  This agreement contains certain severance and change in control obligations.  Under the agreement, if Mr. Bronson’s employment is terminated due to his death or disability (as such terms are defined in the agreement), Mr. Bronson or his beneficiaries will be entitled to receive: (i) his base compensation to the end of the monthly pay period immediately following the date of termination; (ii) accrued bonus payments; and (iii) all unvested equity and/or options issued by the Company shall immediately fully vest.  If Mr. Bronson’s employment is terminated by him for good reason (as such term is defined in the agreement), or by us without cause, then Mr. Bronson will be entitled to receive: (i) his base compensation to the date of termination; (ii) a severance payment equal to twelve months of his base compensation; (iii) any earned bonus compensation; (iv) employee benefits for twelve months following the date of termination; (v) any vested company match 401k or other retirement contribution; and (vi) all unvested equity and/or options issued by the Company shall immediately fully vest.

 

In the event of a change in control of the Company (as such term is defined in the agreement), Mr. Bronson is entitled to receive: (i) a change in control payment in an amount equal to twelve months of his base compensation, payable as of the date the change in control occurs; and (ii) all unvested equity and/or options issued by the Company shall immediately fully vest.

 

Guarantees and Indemnities 

 

In the normal course of business, we are occasionally required to undertake indemnification for which we may be required to make future payments under specific circumstances.  We review our exposure under such obligations no less than annually, or more frequently as required.  The amount of any potential liabilities related to such obligations cannot be accurately determined until a formal claim is filed.  Historically, any such amounts that become payable have not had a material negative effect our business, financial condition or results of operations.  We maintain general and product liability insurance which may provide a source of recovery to us in the event of an indemnification claim.