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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

FORM 10-K

 

(Mark One)

 

x Annual Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2003

 

OR

 

¨ Transition Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the transition period from                      to                     

 

Commission File Number 000-25977

 


 

LQ CORPORATION, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware   77-0421089
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

888 Seventh Ave., 17th Floor,
New York, NY
  10019
(address of principal executive offices)   (zip code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (212) 974-5730

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of Each Class


 

Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered


None   None

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

Common Stock, $0.001 par value

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

Yes x No ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. ¨

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

Yes ¨ No x

 

The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of the Registrant as of June 30, 2003 (the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter) was approximately $3,593,459 based on the closing price of the Common Stock as reported on The Nasdaq OTC Bulletin Board for that date.

 

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock, par value $.001 per share, as of March 19, 2004: 23,176,858.

 



Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

          PAGE

PART I

    

ITEM 1.

  

BUSINESS

   1

ITEM 2.

  

PROPERTIES

   6

ITEM 3.

  

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

   6

ITEM 4.

  

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

   7

PART II

    

ITEM 5.

  

MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

   7

ITEM 6.

  

SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

   9

ITEM 7.

  

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

   10

ITEM 7A.

  

QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

   20

ITEM 8.

  

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

   20

ITEM 9.

  

CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

   20

ITEM 9A.

  

CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

   21

PART III

    

ITEM 10.

  

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

   22

ITEM 11.

  

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

   24

ITEM 12.

  

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

   29

ITEM 13.

  

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

   31

ITEM 14.

  

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

   32

PART IV.

    

ITEM 15.

  

EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

   32

 


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PART I

 

ITEM 1. BUSINESS

 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K contains forward-looking statements that have been made in reliance on the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about our industry, management’s beliefs, and certain assumptions made by management. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks” and “estimates” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, and actual actions or results may differ materially. These statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by law. Readers should, however, carefully review the risk factors included herein and in other reports or documents filed by us from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Overview

 

LQ Corporation, Inc. was incorporated in California as “Liquid Audio, Inc.” in January 1996 and reincorporated in Delaware in April 1999. In July 1999, we completed our initial public offering of common stock. Our Board of Directors (the “Board”) received stockholder approval on July 30, 2003 to change our name to “LQ Corporation, Inc.” Our name was formally changed on January 7, 2004. Our principal executive offices are located at 888 Seventh Avenue, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10019, and our telephone number is (212) 974-5730.

 

Through January 2003, we provided an open platform that enabled the digital delivery of media over the Internet.

 

Through the first quarter of 2002, we pursued a strategy of maintaining and extending our digital distribution business. This strategy expanded our catalog of digital music recordings available for digital distribution to more than 400,000 digital music recordings.

 

During the spring of 2002, it became apparent to our management that we could not achieve financial success as an independent company with our current business model. In June 2002, we announced a definitive agreement to merge with Alliance Entertainment Corporation (“Alliance”), with the intent of combining into a physical and digital media distribution company. In November 2002, we terminated this agreement based upon the publicly expressed opposition to the proposed merger by a significant percentage of our stockholders. We consequently paid a termination fee of $2.1 million to Alliance.

 

In September 2002, we sold the domestic and foreign rights to our entire patent portfolio for $7.0 million in cash to Microsoft Corporation. In addition to the cash consideration, we received an assignable perpetual royalty-free license to continue using the patented technology in our digital distribution system (the “Microsoft License”).

 

On December 6, 2002, we announced a return of capital cash distribution to our stockholders of $2.50 per share, payable on December 20, 2002 to stockholders of record as of December 10, 2002. Following the cash distribution, our management continued to explore options for disposition or use of our remaining assets. On January 29, 2003, we distributed $2.50 cash per share as return of capital, for a total of $57.8 million, to our common stockholders of record as of December 10, 2002.

 

On January 24, 2003, we announced the sale of our digital music fulfillment business and related assets to Geneva Media, LLC (“Geneva”), an affiliate of Anderson Merchandisers, LP for $3.2 million. As part of the sale, we transferred ownership of certain “Liquid Audio” related trademarks to Geneva and the Microsoft License. As a result of the sale, we are currently not operating any business and are exploring options for the use of our remaining assets.

 

We are reviewing alternatives for the use or disposition of our remaining assets while settling our remaining claims and liabilities. We intend to pursue other business opportunities and investments unrelated to the downloading of digital music. Neither our Board nor our stockholders have yet approved any such opportunities. If we are unable to find any suitable business opportunities and/or investments, we may pursue a plan of complete

 


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liquidation and dissolution. If a complete liquidation and dissolution is approved, pursuant to Delaware General Corporation Law, we will continue to exist for three years after the dissolution becomes effective or for such longer period as the Delaware Court of Chancery shall direct, for the purpose of prosecuting and defending suits against us and enabling us gradually to close our business, to dispose of our property, to discharge our liabilities and to distribute to our stockholders any remaining assets.

 

As discussed more fully in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements at Note 1, “The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies: Investments,” we traded shares of an available-for-sale security in August and September of 2003. Although we liquidated our entire remaining position in this security as of November 12, 2003 and do not intend to make any additional purchases of available-for-sale securities, we may inadvertently have become, or may become in the future, an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as a result of our lack of an operating business, our significant cash balance as a percentage of our total assets and our recent trading activities. Registration as an investment company would be very expensive, further depleting our cash reserves and would also subject us to restrictions that may be inconsistent with any future business strategy we may decide upon.

 

We entered into a Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release on February 12, 2004 with BeMusic which finally resolved all matters between BeMusic and us with respect to the litigation matter with SightSound, Inc. Under the terms of this Agreement we paid approximately $1,452,000 to BeMusic as settlement expenses and approximately $314,000 in legal fees relating to the SightSound litigation. These payments were in addition to $335,827 previously paid by us for our share of attorney fees incurred in connection with this matter. For a more detailed discussion regarding the SightSound litigation see Item 3, “Legal Proceedings.”

 

Our common stock currently trades over the counter on The Nasdaq OTC Bulletin Board. Our common stock was traded on The Nasdaq National Market, but was delisted on June 5, 2003. The market price per share of our stock dropped significantly subsequent to the payment of the $2.50 per share return of capital cash distribution to our common stockholders. The market price of our common stock as of March 19, 2004 was $0.38 per share. An investment in an OTC security is speculative and involves a degree of risk. Many OTC securities are relatively illiquid, or “thinly traded,” which can enhance volatility in the share price and make it difficult for investors to buy or sell without dramatically effecting the quoted price or may be unable to sell a position at a later date. Moreover, if we pursue a plan of complete liquidation and dissolution, we will close our stock transfer books, discontinue recording transfers of our common stock, and our common stock will no longer be traded on any exchange, and certificates representing our common stock will no longer be assignable or transferable on our books. Accordingly, the proportionate interests of all of our stockholders will be fixed on the basis of their respective stock holdings at the close of business on the date of dissolution, and any distributions made by us after such date will be made solely to the stockholders of record at the close of business on the date of dissolution.

 

At our September 29, 2003 meeting of our stockholders, our stockholders approved amendments to our certificate of incorporation to effect a 1- for-250 reverse stock split, to be followed immediately by a 35-for-1 forward stock split (collectively, the “Reverse/Forward Stock Split”), as well as a reduction in the number of common shares authorized for issuance from 50,000,000 shares to 30,000,000 shares (the ”Share Reduction”).

 

Although our Board has received stockholder approval to implement the Reverse/Forward Stock Split and the Share Reduction, we have not yet consummated these corporate actions. We intend to file the amendments necessary to implement the Reverse/Forward Stock Split and the Share Reduction as soon as practicable. In the case of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split, we will issue a press release announcing the Reverse/Forward Stock Split prior to its effectiveness. For a more detailed discussion of the effect of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split and the Share Reduction on the capitalization of the Company, see Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements at Note 16, “Reverse/Forward Stock Split.” No retroactive effect has been given to any of the share or earnings per share information in these financial statements as a result of the Reverse/Forward Stock Split or the Share Reduction. Any retroactive effect on the share or earnings per share information will be recorded in the period it takes effect.

 

International Offices

 

We closed our international offices in 2002.

 

Information regarding financial data by geographic area, as well as information regarding operating segments, is set forth in Part II, Item 8 on this Form 10-K in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements at Note 1, “Segment Information,” which information is hereby incorporated by reference.

 

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Employees

 

Following the sale of our digital music fulfillment business and related assets in January 2003, we terminated substantially all of our employees and as of December 31, 2003, we had 1 full-time employee. Our employee is not covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

 

COMPANY RISK FACTORS

 

We Currently Do Not Have an Operating Business, But Also Do Not Intend to Pursue a Course of Complete Liquidation and Dissolution, and Accordingly, the Value of Your Shares May Decrease

 

We currently do not have any operating business; we are considering various options for the use of our remaining assets, but have yet to approve any definitive plans. In the meantime, we will continue to incur operating expenses while we consider alternative operating plans. These plans may include business combinations with or investments in other operating companies, or entering into a completely new line of business. We have not yet identified any such opportunities, and thus, you will not be able to evaluate the impact of such a business strategy on the value of your stock. In addition, we cannot assure you that we will be able to identify any appropriate business opportunities. Even if we are able to identify business opportunities that our Board deems appropriate, we cannot assure you that such a strategy will provide you with a positive return on your investment, and it may in fact result in a substantial decrease in the value of your stock. These factors will substantially increase the uncertainty, and thus the risk, of investing in our shares. You should also not expect any further cash distributions.

 

We May Not Be Able to Identify or Fully Capitalize on Any Appropriate Business Opportunities

 

We are considering various options for the use of our remaining assets, which may include business combinations with or investments in other operating companies, or entering into a completely new line of business. Nevertheless, we have not yet identified any appropriate business opportunities, and, due to a variety of factors outside of our control, we may not be able to identify or fully capitalize on any such opportunities. These factors include: (1) competition from other potential acquirors and partners of and investors in potential acquisitions, many of whom may have greater financial resources than we do; (2) in specific cases, failure to agree on the terms of a potential acquisition, such as the amount or price of our acquired interest, or incompatibility between us and management of the company we wish to acquire; and (3) the possibility that we may lack sufficient capital and/or expertise to develop promising opportunities. Even if we are able to identify business opportunities that our Board deems appropriate, we cannot assure you that such a strategy will provide you with a positive return on your investment, and may in fact result in a substantial decrease in the value of your stock. In addition, if we enter into a combination with a business that has operating income, we cannot assure you that we will be able to utilize all or even a portion of our existing net operating loss carryover for federal or state tax purposes following such a business combination. If we are unable to make use of our existing net operating loss carryover, the tax advantages of such a combination may be limited, which could negatively impact the price of our stock and the value of your investment. These factors will substantially increase the uncertainty, and thus the risk, of investing in our shares.

 

We May Have to Take Actions that Are Disruptive to Our Business Strategy to Avoid Registration Under the Investment Company Act of 1940.

 

As discussed more fully in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements at Note 1, “The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies: Investments,” we traded shares of an available-for-sale security in August and September of 2003. Although we liquidated our entire remaining position in this security as of November 12, 2003 and do not intend to make any additional purchases of available-for-sale securities, we may inadvertently have become, or may become in the future, an investment company under the Investment Company Act as a result of our lack of an operating business, our significant cash balance as a percentage of our total assets and our recent trading activities. Although we continue to consider future operating alternatives, including the possible acquisition of one or more operating businesses, we could become subject to regulation under the Investment Company Act. Registration as an investment company would be very expensive and further deplete our cash balances, which would leave us with fewer resources to pursue further operating alternatives. Registration would also subject us to restrictions that may be inconsistent with any future business strategy we may decide upon. In order to avoid these regulations, we may have to take actions that we would not otherwise choose to take to avoid registration under the Investment Company Act.

 

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Stockholders May Be Liable to Our Creditors for Up to Amounts Received From Us if Our Reserves Are Inadequate

 

If we pursue a plan of complete liquidation and dissolution, a Certificate of Dissolution will be filed with the State of Delaware after such plan is approved by our stockholders. Pursuant to the Delaware General Corporation Law, we will continue to exist for three years after the dissolution becomes effective or for such longer period as the Delaware Court of Chancery shall direct, for the purpose of prosecuting and defending suits against us and enabling us gradually to close our business, to dispose of our property, to discharge our liabilities and to distribute to our stockholders any remaining assets. Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, in the event we fail to create an adequate contingency reserve for payment of our expenses and liabilities during this three-year period, each stockholder could be held liable for payment to our creditors for such stockholder’s pro rata share of amounts owed to creditors in excess of the contingency reserve. The liability of any stockholder would be limited, however, to the amounts previously received by such stockholder from us (and from any liquidating trust or trusts), including the return of capital cash distribution of $2.50 per share paid to stockholders on January 29, 2003. Accordingly, in such event a stockholder could be required to return all distributions previously made to such stockholder. In such event, a stockholder could receive nothing from us under a plan of complete liquidation and dissolution. Moreover, in the event a stockholder has paid taxes on amounts previously received, a repayment of all or a portion of such amount could result in a stockholder incurring a net tax cost if the stockholder’s repayment of an amount previously distributed does not cause a commensurate reduction in taxes payable. There can be no assurance that the contingency reserve maintained by us will be adequate to cover any expenses and liabilities.

 

Success of a Plan of Complete Liquidation and Dissolution Depends on Qualified Personnel to Execute It

 

If we pursue a plan of complete liquidation and dissolution, the success of any such plan depends in large part upon our ability to retain the services of qualified personnel to handle the sale of our remaining assets and settlement of remaining liabilities. We may retain the services of a consulting firm specializing in such purpose, however the retention of qualified personnel is particularly difficult under our current circumstances.

 

If Our Stock Transfer Books Are Closed on a Final Record Date, We Will Not Record Any Trades

 

If we pursue a plan of complete liquidation and dissolution, we will close our stock transfer books and discontinue recording transfers of our common stock at the close of business on the date of effectiveness, the final record date, of the filing of the Certificate of Dissolution with the Delaware Secretary of State. Thereafter, certificates representing our common stock will not be assignable or transferable on our books except by will, interstate succession or operation of law. The proportionate interests of all of our stockholders will be fixed on the basis of their respective stock holdings at the close of business on the final record date, and any distributions made by us will be made solely to the stockholders of record at the close of business on the final record date, except as may be necessary to reflect subsequent transfers recorded on our books as a result of any assignments by will, interstate succession or operation of law. For any other trades after the final record date, the seller and purchaser of the stock will need to negotiate and rely on “due-bill” contractual obligations between themselves with respect to the allocation of stockholder proceeds arising from ownership of the shares.

 

Our Stock Has Been Delisted from The Nasdaq National Market, And Is Therefore Significantly Less Liquid than Before

 

Our stock has been delisted from trading on The Nasdaq National Market by reason of not maintaining listing requirements due to the lack of tangible business operations and significantly reduced market price of our common stock. As a result, our common stock currently trades over the counter on the Nasdaq OTC Bulletin Board and the ability of our stockholders to obtain liquidity and fair market prices for our shares has been significantly impaired.

 

After Our Wind-Up There May Be No Additional Cash to Distribute to Our Stockholders and If There Is Additional Cash to Distribute, the Timing of Any Such Future Distribution is Uncertain

 

If we pursue a plan of complete liquidation and dissolution, there will be no firm timetable for the distribution of proceeds to our stockholders, because of contingencies inherent in winding up a business. If we pursue a plan of

 

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complete liquidation and dissolution, the liquidation should be concluded prior to the third anniversary of the filing of the Certificate of Dissolution in Delaware. If we pursue a plan of complete liquidation and dissolution, the actual nature, amount and timing of all distributions will be determined by our Board, in its sole discretion, and will depend in part upon our ability to resolve our remaining contingencies.

 

If we pursue this strategy, uncertainties as to the ultimate amount of our liabilities make it impracticable to predict the aggregate net value ultimately distributable to our stockholders. Claims, liabilities and expenses from operations (including costs associated with any retained firm’s efforts to sell our remaining assets and settle our remaining liabilities, taxes, legal and accounting fees and miscellaneous office expenses) will continue to be incurred. These expenses will reduce the amount of cash available for ultimate distribution to stockholders. However, no assurances can be given that available cash and amounts received on the sale of assets will be adequate to provide for our obligations, liabilities, expenses and claims and to make cash distributions to stockholders. If such available cash and amounts received from the sale of assets are not adequate to provide for our obligations, liabilities, expenses and claims, we may not be able to distribute meaningful cash, or any cash, to our stockholders.

 

The Proceeds from a Sale of Our Assets May Be Less than Anticipated

 

If we pursue a plan of complete liquidation and dissolution, sales of our remaining assets will be made on such terms as are approved by the Board and may be conducted by competitive bidding, public sales or privately negotiated sales. The prices at which we will be able to sell these assets will depend largely on factors beyond our control, including, without limitation, the condition of financial markets, the availability of financing to prospective purchasers of the assets, United States and foreign regulatory approvals, public market perceptions and limitations on transferability of certain assets. Because some of our remaining assets may decline in value over time, we may not be able to consummate the sale of these assets in time to generate meaningful value. In addition, we may not obtain as high a price for a particular asset as we might secure if we were not in liquidation.

 

We Might Face Intellectual Property Infringement Claims that Might Be Costly to Resolve

 

From time to time, we have received letters from corporations and other entities suggesting that we review patents to which they claim rights or claiming that we infringe on their intellectual property rights. Such claims may result in our being involved in litigation. Further, we cannot assure you that parties will not assert additional claims in the future or that we will prevail against any such claims. We could incur substantial costs to defend any claims relating to proprietary rights, which would deplete our remaining cash assets. In addition, we are obligated under certain agreements to indemnify the other party for claims that we infringe on the proprietary rights of third parties. If we are required to indemnify parties under these agreements, our remaining assets could be substantially reduced. If someone asserts a claim against us relating to proprietary technology or information, we might seek settlement of such claim. We might not be able to agree to a settlement on reasonable terms, or at all. The failure to obtain a settlement on acceptable terms would decrease cash for other purposes. See Item 3 - “Legal Proceedings.”

 

We Will Continue to Incur the Expense of Complying with Public Company Reporting Requirements

 

We have an obligation to continue to comply with the applicable reporting requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, even though compliance with such reporting requirements is economically burdensome. In order to curtail expenses, if we elect to pursue a liquidation and dissolution strategy, after we file our Certificate of Dissolution, we will seek relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission from the reporting requirements under the Exchange Act, which may or may not be granted. Until such relief is granted we will continue to make obligatory Exchange Act filings. We anticipate that even if such relief is granted in the future, we will continue to file current reports on Form 8-K to disclose material events relating to our liquidation and dissolution along with any other reports that the Securities and Exchange Commission may require.

 

Our Charter Documents and Delaware Law May Impede Or Discourage A Takeover, Which Could Lower Our Stock Price

 

If we elect to pursue a strategy other than liquidation and dissolution, provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and provisions of Delaware law, may have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or of discouraging a third party from attempting to acquire, control of us. For example, we have a classified board of directors which may tend to discourage a third party from making a tender offer or

 

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otherwise attempting to obtain control of us and may maintain the incumbency of our board of directors, as the classification of the board of directors increases the difficulty of replacing a majority of the directors. These provisions may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers, delaying changes in our control of management, or may make it more difficult for stockholders to take certain corporate actions. Consequently, these provisions could limit the price that certain investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our common stock.

 

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

 

Our principal executive offices are located in New York, New York, in a space maintained by Barington Capital Group, L.P., a limited partnership whose general partner is a corporation of which James Mitarotonda is Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Mitarotonda is also our Co-Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer. We also occupy a small office located in Foster City, California, which we rent on a month to month basis. In July 2003, we terminated the remaining term of our property lease on our former headquarters located in Redwood City, California, and paid a one-time termination fee of $3,569,000. In October 2003, we paid $30,000 to terminate the remaining term of the property lease of our office located in Los Angeles, California.

 

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

 

On or about April 7, 2000 SightSound, Inc. (“SightSound”) filed an Amended Complaint in a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania (the ”Pennsylvania Court”) alleging that certain of our former customers, N2K, Inc., CDNow, Inc. and CDNow Online, Inc., which have since merged into BeMusic, infringed one or more of three United States patents (Nos. 5,191,573; 5,675,734; and 5,996,440). SightSound claimed compensatory damages of approximately $16.0 million. SightSound also seeked treble damages and attorneys fees under certain statutory provisions. BeMusic asserted a claim for indemnification against us based on certain licensing agreements between us and BeMusic’s predecessors. In January, 2002, we entered into an agreement with BeMusic’s predecessor, CDNow Online, Inc., in which we agreed to share evenly with CDNow Online, Inc. all legal fees incurred by CDNow Online, Inc. in defending the patent infringement action. The fee-sharing agreement entitles BeMusic, to control the defense of the patent infringement action, but requires BeMusic to consult in good faith with us regarding its defense and/or settlement of the patent infringement action. On February 20, 2004, an Order was entered in the Pennsylvania Court ending the lawsuit by SightSound against BeMusic. As a result of the entry of the Order and pursuant to a separate agreement between SightSound and BeMusic executed on February 12, 2004, SightSound dismissed the SightSound litigation and released all claims against us. Entry of the Order also made effective a Settlement Agreement and Mutual Release executed on February 13, 2004 by us and BeMusic (the “Settlement Agreement”). The Settlement Agreement finally resolves all matters between BeMusic and us relating to the SightSound litigation. Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement, we paid approximately $1,452,000 to BeMusic as settlement expenses and approximately $314,000 in legal fees relating to the SightSound litigation. These payments were in addition to $335,827 previously paid by us to BeMusic for their share of attorneys fees incurred in connection with this matter. As a result of the Settlement Agreement, we have no further obligation to maintain available cash on hand in connection with the SightSound litigation. Neither party to the Settlement Agreement admitted any wrongdoing or any indemnification obligations in connection with this litigation.

 

We, certain of our former officers and directors, and various of the underwriters in our initial public offering (“IPO”) and secondary offering, were named as defendants in a consolidated action filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, In re Liquid Audio, Inc. Initial Public Offering Securities Litigation, CV-6611. The consolidated amended complaint generally alleges that various investment bank underwriters engaged in improper and undisclosed activities related to the allocation of shares in our IPO and secondary offering of securities. The plaintiffs brought claims for violation of several provisions of the federal securities laws against those underwriters, and also against us and certain of our former directors and officers, seeking unspecified damages on behalf of a purported class of purchasers of our common stock between July 8, 1999 and December 6, 2000. Various plaintiffs filed similar actions asserting virtually identical allegations against more than 40 investment banks and 250 other companies. All of these “IPO allocation” securities class actions currently pending in the Southern District of New York have been assigned to Judge Shira A. Scheindlin for coordinated pretrial proceedings as In re Liquid Audio, Inc. Initial Public Offering Securities Litigation, 21 MC 92. Defendants have filed motions to dismiss the actions. In October 2002, such directors and officers were dismissed without prejudice. A proposal has been made for the settlement and release of claims against the issuer defendants, including us, in exchange for

 

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a contingent payment to be made by the issuer defendants’ insurance carriers and an assignment of certain claims. On July 16, 2003, our Board approved participation in the settlement. The settlement is subject to a number of conditions, including approval of the proposed settling parties and the court. If the settlement does not occur, and litigation against us continues, we believe that we have meritorious defenses to the claims against us and intend to defend ourselves vigorously.

 

From time to time we receive letters from corporations or other business entities notifying us of alleged infringement of patents held by them or suggesting that we review patents to which they claim rights. These corporations or entities often indicate a willingness to discuss licenses to their patent rights.

 

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

 

There were no submissions of matters to a vote of securities holders during the quarter ended December 31, 2003.

 

PART II

 

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

 

Market Price of Common Stock

 

Our common stock was quoted on the Nasdaq National Market under the symbol “LQID” since July 8, 1999, but was delisted on June 5, 2003. On June 5, 2003, our common stock began trading over the counter as a “pink sheet” security. On June 20, 2003, our common stock began trading on the Nasdaq OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol “LQID.OB.” The following table presents, for the periods indicated, the high and low closing prices per share of our common stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market and/or the Nasdaq OTC Bulletin Board, as applicable.

 

     High

   Low

Year Ended December 31, 2002

             

First Quarter

   $ 2.47    $ 2.25

Second Quarter

     2.60      2.27

Third Quarter

     2.60      2.36

Fourth Quarter

     2.79      2.44

Year Ended December 31, 2003

             

First Quarter

   $ 2.79    $ 0.31

Second Quarter

     0.37      0.35

Third Quarter

     0.32      0.32

Fourth Quarter

     0.36      0.27

 

The closing price per share of our common stock at March 19, 2004 was $0.38. As of March 19, 2004, there were approximately 128 holders of record of our common stock. Because many shares of our common stock are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of stockholders, we are unable to estimate the total number of stockholders represented by these record holders.

 

Dividend Policy

 

On December 6, 2002, we declared a non-dividend, return of capital cash distribution of $2.50 per share to shareholders of record as of December 10, 2002 to be paid on December 20, 2002. We paid this cash distribution on January 29, 2003, for a total of $57.8 million. We have not declared any other distributions since January 1, 2002.

 

We continue to explore various ways of using and/or disposing of our remaining assets and settling our final claims and liabilities. Depending on the alternatives chosen, and the success of maximizing the return on assets and minimizing the cost of settling claims and liabilities, we may or may not declare future cash distributions to stockholders. If we choose to adopt a plan of complete liquidation and dissolution, we intend to make a final cash

 

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distribution to our stockholders in connection with this dissolution once all our assets have been sold and obligations satisfied, in approximately three to four years.

 

Preferred Stock Rights Agreement

 

On April 15, 2003, our Board of Directors approved the repeal of our Preferred Stock Rights Agreement. The Preferred Stock Rights Agreement gave rights to stockholders, exercisable after a person or group announced acquisition of 10% or more of our common stock or announced commencement of a tender or exchange offer the consummation of which would have resulted in ownership by the person or group of 10% or more of our common stock to acquire shares of our common stock or shares of any company in which we were merged.

 

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Table of Contents
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

 

The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included in Item 8 included elsewhere in this document to fully understand factors that may affect the comparability of the information presented below.

 

     Year Ended December 31,

 
     2003

    2002

    2001

    2000

    1999

 
     (in thousands, except per share data)  

Statement of Operations Data:

                                        

Net revenues:

                                        

License

   $ 4     $ 108     $ 682     $ 1,284     $ 1,537  

Services

     39       374       1,173       2,977       733  

Business development (related party)

     —         —         2,873       7,307       2,137  
    


 


 


 


 


Total net revenues

     43       482       4,728       11,568       4,407  
    


 


 


 


 


Cost of net revenues:

                                        

License

     5       388       491       290       235  

Services

     2       654       1,503       2,722       1,122  

Business development (related party)

     —         —         —         75       79  

Non-cash cost of revenues

     —         82       349       28       25  
    


 


 


 


 


Total cost of net revenues

     7       1,124       2,343       3,115       1,461  
    


 


 


 


 


Gross profit (loss)

     36       (642 )     2,385       8,453       2,946  
    


 


 


 


 


Operating expenses:

                                        

Sales and marketing

     277       3,765       11,404       17,114       10,217  

Non-cash sales and marketing

     —         (28 )     (43 )     314       783  

Research and development

     165       9,111       16,957       22,917       11,706  

Non-cash research and development

     —         6       —         80       371  

General and administrative

     6,658       10,712       9,077       7,131       2,770  

Non-cash general and administrative

     —         1       (14 )     13       190  

Impairment loss

     —         689       —         —         —    

Strategic marketing-equity instruments

     —         —         607       1,935       3,130  

Restructuring

     4,411       1,163       4,497       —         —    
    


 
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