DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS	3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS	Overview As used in this Quarterly Report, “we”, “us”, “our”, “ImageWare”, “ImageWare Systems” or the “Company” refers to ImageWare Systems, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries. ImageWare Systems, Inc. is incorporated in the state of Delaware. The Company is a pioneer and leader in the emerging market for biometrically enabled software-based identity management solutions. Using those human characteristics that are unique to us all, the Company creates software that provides a highly reliable indication of a person’s identity. The Company’s “flagship” product is the patented IWS Biometric Engine®. The Company’s products are used to manage and issue secure credentials, including national IDs, passports, driver licenses and access control credentials. The Company’s products also provide law enforcement with integrated mug shot, fingerprint LiveScan and investigative capabilities. The Company also provides comprehensive authentication security software using biometrics to secure physical and logical access to facilities or computer networks or internet sites. Biometric technology is now an integral part of all markets the Company addresses, and all the products are integrated into the IWS Biometric Engine. The Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), trades under the symbol "IWSY" on the OTCQB Marketplace. Liquidity, Going Concern and Management’s Plan Historically, our principal sources of cash have included customer payments from the sale of our products, proceeds from the issuance of common and preferred stock and proceeds from the issuance of debt. Our principal uses of cash have included cash used in operations, product development, and payments relating to purchases of property and equipment. We expect that our principal uses of cash in the future will be for product development, including customization of identity management products for enterprise and consumer applications, further development of intellectual property, development of Software-as-a-Service (“SaaS”) capabilities for existing products as well as general working capital requirements. Management expects that, as our revenue grows, our sales and marketing and research and development expense will continue to grow, albeit at a slower rate and, as a result, we will need to generate significant net revenue to achieve and sustain positive cash flows from operations. Historically the Company has not been able to generate sufficient net revenue to achieve and sustain positive cash flows from operations and management has determined that there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had negative working capital of $20,887,000 and $19,349,000, respectively. Included in our negative working capital as of March 31, 2021 are $22,850,000 of derivative liabilities which are not required to be settled in cash except in the event of the consummation of a Change of Control or at any time after the fourth anniversary of the Series D Preferred issuance, at which time the holders of the Series D Preferred may require the Company to redeem in cash any or all of the holder’s outstanding Series D Preferred at an amount equal to the Series D Liquidation Preference Amount. At March 31, 2021 the Liquidation Preference Amount totaled $22,757,000. Considering the financings consummated in 2020, as well as our projected cash requirements, and assuming we are unable to generate incremental revenue, our available cash will be insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements for the next twelve months from the date of this filing. At May 14, 2021, cash on hand approximated $3,661,000. Based on the Company’s rate of cash consumption in the first quarter of 2021 and the last quarter of 2020, the Company estimates it will need additional capital in the third quarter of 2021 and its prospects for obtaining that capital are uncertain. As a result of the Company’s historical losses and financial condition, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the United States and global economies and may affect the Company's operations and those of third parties on which the Company relies. Additionally, as the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic is difficult to assess or predict, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the financial markets may reduce our ability to access capital, which could negatively impact the Company's short-term and long-term liquidity. These effects could have a material impact on the Company's liquidity, capital resources, operations and business and those of the third parties on which the Company relies. To address our working capital requirements, management has begun instituting several cost cutting measures and may seek additional equity and/or debt financing through the issuance of additional debt and/or equity securities. Other than the Lincoln Purchase Agreement, there are currently no financing arrangements to support our projected cash shortfall, including commitments to purchase additional debt and/or equity securities, or other agreements, and no assurances can be given that we will be successful in raising additional debt and/or equity securities, or entering into any other transaction that addresses our ability to continue as a going concern. In view of the matters described in the preceding paragraph, recoverability of a major portion of the recorded asset amounts shown in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet is dependent upon continued operations of the Company, which, in turn, is dependent upon the Company’s ability to continue to raise capital and generate positive cash flows from operations. However, the Company operates in markets that are emerging and highly competitive. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain additional capital, operate at a profit or generate positive cash flows in the future. Therefore, management’s plans do not alleviate the substantial doubt of the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts and classifications of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern. Recent Developments *Charter Amendment* Our Certificate of Incorporation as of March 31, 2021 authorizes a total of 1.0 billion shares of Common Stock for issuance. Effective as of January 28, 2021 and February 16, 2021, respectively, our Board of Directors and the Majority Shareholders approved and authorized an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 1.0 billion shares to 2.0 billion shares, resulting in a total increase of 1.0 billion authorized shares of Common Stock. The increase in the number of authorized shares of Common Stock became effective upon filing the Certificate of Amendment with the Delaware Division of Corporations on April 21, 2021. *Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic* On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) a global pandemic and recommended containment and mitigation measures worldwide. As of May 2021, the global outbreak of COVID-19 continues to rapidly evolve, and the extent to which COVID-19 may impact our business and markets we serve will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, such as the duration of the outbreak, travel restrictions and social distancing in the United States and other countries, business closures or business disruptions, and the effectiveness of actions taken both in the United States and other countries. We are continuing to vigilantly monitor the situation with our primary focus on health and safety of our employees and clients. *The Series D Financing* On November 12, 2020 and December 23, 2020, the Company consummated private placements of 12,060 shares of its Series D Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Series D Preferred"), resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of $12.06 million, less fees and expenses (the “Series D Financing”). The gross proceeds include approximately $2.2 million in principal amount due and payable under the terms of certain term loans issued by the Company on September 29, 2020 (“Bridge Notes”), which Bridge Notes were converted into Series D Preferred at Closing (the “Conversion”). The issuance of the Series D Preferred was made pursuant to securities purchase agreements, dated September 28, 2020 (the "Purchase Agreement"), by and between the Company and certain accredited investors (the "Purchasers"), for the sale of the Series D Preferred at a purchase price of $1,000 per share of Series D Preferred. The holders of Series D Preferred may voluntarily convert their shares of Series D Preferred into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at any time that is at least ninety days following the issuance date, at the conversion price calculated by dividing the Stated Value by the conversion price of $0.0583 per share of Common Stock, subject to adjustments as set forth in Section 5(e) of the Certificate of Designations, Preferences, and Rights of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series D Certificate"). Dividends on shares of Series D Preferred will be paid prior to any junior securities and are to be paid at the rate of 4% of the Stated Value (as defined in the Series D Certificate) per share per annum in the form of shares of Series D Preferred. On the fourth anniversary of the Issuance Date (as defined in the Series D Certificate), or in the event of the consummation of a Change of Control (as defined in the Series D Certificate), if any shares of Series D Preferred are outstanding, then each holder of Series D Preferred shall have the right (the “Holder Redemption Right”), at such holder’s option, to require the Company to redeem all or any portion of such holder’s shares of Series D Preferred at the Liquidation Preference Amount per share of Series D Preferred plus an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends, if any, (such price, the “Holder Redemption Price”), which Holder Redemption Price shall be paid in cash. In connection with the sale of the Series D Preferred, we granted certain registration rights to the Investors with respect to the Conversion Shares and Dividend Shares, pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement by and among us and the Investors. The registration statement registering the Conversion Shares and Dividend Shares was declared effective by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 12, 2021.

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND OPERATIONS

3 Months Ended

Mar. 31, 2021

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]

Overview

As used in this Quarterly Report, “we”, “us”, “our”, “ImageWare”, “ImageWare Systems” or the “Company” refers to ImageWare Systems, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries. ImageWare Systems, Inc. is incorporated in the state of Delaware. The Company is a pioneer and leader in the emerging market for biometrically enabled software-based identity management solutions. Using those human characteristics that are unique to us all, the Company creates software that provides a highly reliable indication of a person’s identity. The Company’s “flagship” product is the patented IWS Biometric Engine®. The Company’s products are used to manage and issue secure credentials, including national IDs, passports, driver licenses and access control credentials. The Company’s products also provide law enforcement with integrated mug shot, fingerprint LiveScan and investigative capabilities. The Company also provides comprehensive authentication security software using biometrics to secure physical and logical access to facilities or computer networks or internet sites. Biometric technology is now an integral part of all markets the Company addresses, and all the products are integrated into the IWS Biometric Engine.

The Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), trades under the symbol "IWSY" on the OTCQB Marketplace.

Liquidity, Going Concern and Management’s Plan

Historically, our principal sources of cash have included customer payments from the sale of our products, proceeds from the issuance of common and preferred stock and proceeds from the issuance of debt. Our principal uses of cash have included cash used in operations, product development, and payments relating to purchases of property and equipment. We expect that our principal uses of cash in the future will be for product development, including customization of identity management products for enterprise and consumer applications, further development of intellectual property, development of Software-as-a-Service (“SaaS”) capabilities for existing products as well as general working capital requirements. Management expects that, as our revenue grows, our sales and marketing and research and development expense will continue to grow, albeit at a slower rate and, as a result, we will need to generate significant net revenue to achieve and sustain positive cash flows from operations. Historically the Company has not been able to generate sufficient net revenue to achieve and sustain positive cash flows from operations and management has determined that there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

At March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had negative working capital of $20,887,000 and $19,349,000, respectively. Included in our negative working capital as of March 31, 2021 are $22,850,000 of derivative liabilities which are not required to be settled in cash except in the event of the consummation of a Change of Control or at any time after the fourth anniversary of the Series D Preferred issuance, at which time the holders of the Series D Preferred may require the Company to redeem in cash any or all of the holder’s outstanding Series D Preferred at an amount equal to the Series D Liquidation Preference Amount. At March 31, 2021 the Liquidation Preference Amount totaled $22,757,000. Considering the financings consummated in 2020, as well as our projected cash requirements, and assuming we are unable to generate incremental revenue, our available cash will be insufficient to satisfy our cash requirements for the next twelve months from the date of this filing. At May 14, 2021, cash on hand approximated $3,661,000. Based on the Company’s rate of cash consumption in the first quarter of 2021 and the last quarter of 2020, the Company estimates it will need additional capital in the third quarter of 2021 and its prospects for obtaining that capital are uncertain. As a result of the Company’s historical losses and financial condition, there is substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the United States and global economies and may affect the Company's operations and those of third parties on which the Company relies. Additionally, as the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic is difficult to assess or predict, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the financial markets may reduce our ability to access capital, which could negatively impact the Company's short-term and long-term liquidity. These effects could have a material impact on the Company's liquidity, capital resources, operations and business and those of the third parties on which the Company relies.

To address our working capital requirements, management has begun instituting several cost cutting measures and may seek additional equity and/or debt financing through the issuance of additional debt and/or equity securities. Other than the Lincoln Purchase Agreement, there are currently no financing arrangements to support our projected cash shortfall, including commitments to purchase additional debt and/or equity securities, or other agreements, and no assurances can be given that we will be successful in raising additional debt and/or equity securities, or entering into any other transaction that addresses our ability to continue as a going concern.

In view of the matters described in the preceding paragraph, recoverability of a major portion of the recorded asset amounts shown in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet is dependent upon continued operations of the Company, which, in turn, is dependent upon the Company’s ability to continue to raise capital and generate positive cash flows from operations. However, the Company operates in markets that are emerging and highly competitive. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain additional capital, operate at a profit or generate positive cash flows in the future. Therefore, management’s plans do not alleviate the substantial doubt of the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

The condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments relating to the recoverability and classification of recorded asset amounts and classifications of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company be unable to continue as a going concern.

Recent Developments

Charter Amendment

Our Certificate of Incorporation as of March 31, 2021 authorizes a total of 1.0 billion shares of Common Stock for issuance. Effective as of January 28, 2021 and February 16, 2021, respectively, our Board of Directors and the Majority Shareholders approved and authorized an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock from 1.0 billion shares to 2.0 billion shares, resulting in a total increase of 1.0 billion authorized shares of Common Stock. The increase in the number of authorized shares of Common Stock became effective upon filing the Certificate of Amendment with the Delaware Division of Corporations on April 21, 2021.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the novel strain of coronavirus (“COVID-19”) a global pandemic and recommended containment and mitigation measures worldwide. As of May 2021, the global outbreak of COVID-19 continues to rapidly evolve, and the extent to which COVID-19 may impact our business and markets we serve will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, such as the duration of the outbreak, travel restrictions and social distancing in the United States and other countries, business closures or business disruptions, and the effectiveness of actions taken both in the United States and other countries. We are continuing to vigilantly monitor the situation with our primary focus on health and safety of our employees and clients.

The Series D Financing

On November 12, 2020 and December 23, 2020, the Company consummated private placements of 12,060 shares of its Series D Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Series D Preferred"), resulting in gross proceeds to the Company of $12.06 million, less fees and expenses (the “Series D Financing”). The gross proceeds include approximately $2.2 million in principal amount due and payable under the terms of certain term loans issued by the Company on September 29, 2020 (“Bridge Notes”), which Bridge Notes were converted into Series D Preferred at Closing (the “Conversion”). The issuance of the Series D Preferred was made pursuant to securities purchase agreements, dated September 28, 2020 (the "Purchase Agreement"), by and between the Company and certain accredited investors (the "Purchasers"), for the sale of the Series D Preferred at a purchase price of $1,000 per share of Series D Preferred. The holders of Series D Preferred may voluntarily convert their shares of Series D Preferred into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at any time that is at least ninety days following the issuance date, at the conversion price calculated by dividing the Stated Value by the conversion price of $0.0583 per share of Common Stock, subject to adjustments as set forth in Section 5(e) of the Certificate of Designations, Preferences, and Rights of Series D Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series D Certificate"). Dividends on shares of Series D Preferred will be paid prior to any junior securities and are to be paid at the rate of 4% of the Stated Value (as defined in the Series D Certificate) per share per annum in the form of shares of Series D Preferred.

On the fourth anniversary of the Issuance Date (as defined in the Series D Certificate), or in the event of the consummation of a Change of Control (as defined in the Series D Certificate), if any shares of Series D Preferred are outstanding, then each holder of Series D Preferred shall have the right (the “Holder Redemption Right”), at such holder’s option, to require the Company to redeem all or any portion of such holder’s shares of Series D Preferred at the Liquidation Preference Amount per share of Series D Preferred plus an amount equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends, if any, (such price, the “Holder Redemption Price”), which Holder Redemption Price shall be paid in cash.

In connection with the sale of the Series D Preferred, we granted certain registration rights to the Investors with respect to the Conversion Shares and Dividend Shares, pursuant to a Registration Rights Agreement by and among us and the Investors. The registration statement registering the Conversion Shares and Dividend Shares was declared effective by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on February 12, 2021.