BIO KEY INTERNATIONAL INC - Annual Report: 2015 (Form 10-K)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2015

Commission File Number 1-13463

BIO-KEY INTERNATIONAL, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

3349 HIGHWAY 138, BUILDING A, SUITE E, WALL, NJ 07719

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(732) 359-1100

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code.

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

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.   Yes  ☐    No  ☒

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.   Yes  ☐    No  ☒

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  ☒   No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes ☒   No  ☐

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) 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 a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.:

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

The aggregate market value of the registrant’s voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common equity was last sold, as of the last business day of the registrant’s most recently completed second fiscal quarter was $14,054,160.

As of March 28, 2016, the registrant had 66,198,482 shares of common stock outstanding.

Documents Incorporated by Reference: None

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT

All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including statements regarding our future financial position, business strategy and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “will,” “may,” “future,” “plan,” “intend” and “expect” and similar expressions generally identify forward-looking statements. Although we believe our plans, intentions and expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot be sure they will be achieved. Actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained herein due to a number of factors. Many of these factors are set forth under the caption “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of this Annual Report and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the general or specific factors that may affect us. It should be recognized that other factors, including general economic factors and business strategies, may be significant, presently or in the future. Except as required by law, we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

PART I

ITEM 1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

BIO-key International, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company,” “BIO-key,” “we,” or “us), was founded in 1993 to develop and market advanced fingerprint biometric technology and related security software solutions. First incorporated as BBG Engineering, the company was renamed SAC Technologies in 1994 and, again, renamed BIO-key International, Inc. in 2002.

We develop and market advanced fingerprint biometric identification and identity verification technologies, as well as related identity management and credentialing software solutions. We were pioneers in developing automated, finger identification technology that supplements or compliments other methods of identification and verification, such as personal inspection identification, passwords, tokens, smart cards, ID cards, PKI, credit card, passports, driver’s licenses, OTP or other form of possession or knowledge-based credentialing. Additionally, advanced BIO-key® technology has been, and is, used to improve both the accuracy and speed of competing finger-based biometrics.

In 2015, we entered into the fingerprint hardware device business through a strategic relationship with China Goldjoy Group (“CGG”), an entity that is affiliated with two of our directors. We distribute directly to end users our SideSwipe™ and EcoID™ readers which can be used on any laptop, tablet or other device which contains a USB port. For additional information on our strategic relationship with CGG, refer to “Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence.” and “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data - Note J – Related Party.”

We have developed what we believe is the most discriminating and effective commercially available finger-based biometric technology. Our primary focus is in marketing and selling this technology into commercial logical and physical privilege entitlement and access control markets. Our primary market focus includes mobile payments and credentialing, healthcare records and data security, among other things. Our secondary focus includes government markets, large scale identity projects such as voter’s registration, driver’s license, national ID programs, and SIM card registration.

We continue to develop advancements in our capabilities, as well as explore potential strategic relationships, including business combinations and acquisitions, which could help us leverage our capability to deliver our solutions. We have built a direct sales force, and additionally, utilize resellers, integrators and partners with substantial experience in selling technology solutions to government and corporate customers in their respective markets.

Products

Finger-based Biometric Identification and Personal Identity Verification

We are a leader in finger-based biometric identification and personal identity verification, as well as authentication-transaction security. Stand-alone, or in partnerships with OEMs, integrators, and solution providers, we provide biometric security solutions to private and public sector customers. We help customers reduce risk by providing the ability to control access to facilities and services, in either the logical or physical domain. Our solutions positively identify individuals and verify, or confirm, their identity before granting access to, among other things, corporate resources, subscribed data and services, web portals, applications, physical locations or assets.

We also develop and distribute hardware components, through our strategic relationship with CGG that are used in conjunction with our software. Additionally, we sell third-party hardware components with our software in various configurations required by our customers, as do our partners. Our products are interoperable with all major fingerprint reader and hardware manufacturers, enabling application developers, value added resellers (“VARs”), and channel partners to integrate our fingerprint biometrics into their application, while dramatically reducing maintenance, upgrade and life-cycle costs. Our core technology supports interoperability on over 40 different commercially available fingerprint readers. The technology is also interoperable across Windows and Linux, as well as Apple iOS and Android mobile operating systems. This interoperability is unique in the industry and a key differentiator for our products in the biometric market and, in our opinion, makes our technology more viable than competing technologies and expands the size of the overall market for our products.

In November 2015, we entered into a license agreement with CGG pursuant to which we obtained a license to certain software from CGG, known as FingerQ, which is currently being integrating into our core WEB-key® platform and will be used in a number of application areas, including mobile payments and personal identity devices for the Asia Pacific markets.

Our biometric identification technology improves both the accuracy and speed of screening individuals, for identification purposes or for personal identity verification, by extracting unique data from a fingerprint and comparing it to existing similar fingerprint data. The technology has been built to be completely scalable and can handle databases containing millions of fingerprints. We achieve the highest levels of discrimination without requiring any other identifying data (multi-factor) such as a user ID, smart ID cards, or tokens, although our technology can be used in conjunction with such additional factors. Users of our technology have the option of on device or cloud authentication. This flexible authentication option in conjunction with our interoperable capabilities, is another key differentiator of our biometric identification solutions.

We support industry standards, such as FIDO, BioAPI, and have received National Institute of Standards and Technology independent laboratory certification of our ability to support Homeland Security Presidential Directive #12 (HSPD-12) and ANSI/INCITS-378 templates, as well as validation of our fingerprint match speed and accuracy in large database environments.

Our finger identification algorithm, Vector Segment Technology (VST™), is the core intellectual property behind our full suite of biometric products that include:

In 2015, Microsoft announced native support for biometrics in the Windows 8.1 and Windows 10 Operating platforms as well as Office 2016. With Microsoft Hello any user can replace their PIN or password to access their device without any special software downloads by using our recently introduced finger scanners, SideSwipe and EcoID, which are plug and play compatable with the Microsoft platforms. BIO-key has been the exclusive partner, in particular at the Microsoft “Ignite your Business” Windows 10 and Office 2016 launch events, which has generated a number of leads and opportunities for both our hardware and software offerings. Moving forward, we intend to aggressively pursue these opportunities.

Authentication Transaction Security

Our authentication-transaction security technology, WEB-key®, provides the ability to conduct identification and identity verification transactions in potentially insecure environments, including the World Wide Web or in off-site cloud environments.

WEB-key makes cloud-based biometric user-authentication viable and eliminates technology constraints on online service providers, who are otherwise held dependent on handset provider hardware and software platform decisions. It extends all features and functionalities of the VST algorithm to customers looking to add an enhanced level of security to their thin client and client/server applications. WEB-key is currently supported by both Windows and Linux operating systems. Clients are available on Windows, iOS and Android operating systems.

Intellectual Property Rights

We develop and own significant intellectual property and believe that our intellectual property is fundamental to our biometric operation:

Patents

We own patented technologies and trade secrets developed or acquired by us.

In May 2005, the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office issued patent 6,895,104 for our Vector Segment fingerprint technology (VST), BIO-key’s core biometric analysis and identification technology. With the payment of all maintenance fees, this patent will expire on March 4, 2023.

On October 3, 2006, we announced that our patent for a biometric authentication security framework had been granted by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. The patent No. 7,117,356 was issued to us for a biometric authentication security framework that enhances commercial and civil biometric use. Our authentication security framework protects privacy and security of cloud or network based authentications while also facilitates ease of use of biometric systems. The technology that this patent is based on is the foundation for the authentication security incorporated in our WEB-key product line. WEB-key is a mature enterprise authentication solution that functions in a wide variety of application environments. The solution supports a variety of implementation alternatives including card technologies for “two-factor” authentication and also supports “single-factor” authentication. Partners and customers implementing our WEB-key software to provide convenient and secure user identity include a number of institutions including the Allscripts Healthcare Solutions, Computer Associates Site Minder, Oracle Access Manager and many other enterprise and solutions based systems. With the payment of all maintenance fees, this patent will expire on May 20, 2023.

On December 26, 2006, we were issued US patent No. 7,155,040 covering our unique image processing technology, which is critical for enhancing information used in the extraction of biometric minutiae. The issued patent protects a critical part of an innovative four-phase image enhancement process developed by us. With the payment of all maintenance fees, this patent will expire on January 29, 2025.

On April 15, 2008, we were issued US patent No. 7,359,553 covering our image enhancement and data extraction core algorithm components. The solution protected under this patent provides the capability to quickly and accurately transform a fingerprint image into a computer image that can be analyzed to determine the critical data elements. With the payment of all maintenance fees, this patent will expire on January 3, 2025.

On August 19, 2008, we were issued US patent No. 7,415,605 for our “Biometric Identification Network Security” method. The solution protected under this patent provides a defense against hackers and system attacks, while leveraging the industry standard Trusted Platform Module (TPM) specification for encryption key management. With the payment of all maintenance fees, this patent will expire on May 20, 2023.

On November 18, 2008, we were issued US patent No. 7,454,624 for our “Match Template Protection within a Biometric Security System” method. The solution protected under this patent limits the scope of enrollment templates usage and also eliminates the need for revocation or encryption processes, which can be expensive and time consuming. With the payment of all maintenance fees, this patent will expire on May 17, 2025.

On March 10, 2009, we were issued US patent No. 7,502,938 for our “Trusted Biometric Device” which covers a simple, yet secure method of protecting a user’s biometric information. It covers the transmission of information from the point the information is collected at the biometric reader until the data reaches the computer or device that is authenticating the user’s identity. With the payment of all maintenance fees, this patent will expire on October 25, 2025.

On May 26, 2009, we were issued US patent No. 7,539,331 for our “Image Identification System” method for improving the performance and reliability of image analysis within an image identification system. With the payment of all maintenance fees, this patent will expire on March 22, 2022.

On November 8, 2011, we were issued US Patent No. 8,055,027 for our “Generation of Directional Information in the Context of Image Processing” method for image enhancement and processing. With the payment of all maintenance fees, this patent will expire on October 10, 2027.

On July 3, 2012, we were issued US Patent No. 8,214,652 for our “Biometric Identification Network Security”, an expanded method of network and related network authentication security systems utilizing hardware based support for encryption and key management for authentication purposes. With the payment of all maintenance fees, this patent will expire on April 24, 2024.

We have also been granted parallel patents to the US Patent portfolio to certain of our patents in many foreign countries offering protection of our intellectual property rights around the world.

Licensed Technology

In the fourth quarter of 2015, we entered into a license agreement with affiliates of CGG. The license agreement provides for the grant to our subsidiary, BIO-key Hong Kong Limited, of a perpetual, irrevocable, exclusive, worldwide, fully-paid license to all software and documentation regarding the software code, toolkit, electronic libraries and related technology currently known as or offered under the Finger Q name, together with perpetual license under all related patents held by the licensors and any other intellectual property rights owned by the licensors related to the forgoing software.  This portfolio includes 16 patents focused on, among other things, mobile payment systems and mobile payment methods based on biometric authentication as well finger print authentication systems and a finger print authentication method based on NFC. The license agreement grants us the exclusive right to reproduce, create derivative works and distribute copies of the FingerQ software and documentation, create new FingerQ related products, and grant sublicenses of the licensed technology to end users. In addition, in the event the licensors make any derivatives or improvement in the FingerQ software or make any product or service that may compete with or which includes functionality similar to the FingerQ technology, they are required to license such derivative, improvement, product or service to us on the terms set forth in the license agreement at no additional charge. The license arrangement also allows us to create new, innovative solutions to address the growing demand for secure mobile transactions.

Trademarks

We have registered our trademarks “BIO-key”, “True User Identification”, “Intelligent Image Indexing”, “WEB-key”, “SideSwipe” and “EcoID” with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office, as well as many foreign countries, protecting our companies name and key technology offering names.

Copyrights and trade secrets

We take measures to ensure copyright and license protection for our software releases prior to distribution. When possible, the software is licensed in an attempt to ensure that only licensed and activated software functions to its full potential. We also take measures to protect the confidentiality of our trade secrets.

Markets

Identity Management, User Authentication, Privilege Entitlement and Access Control

Our products reduce risk of theft, fraud, loss and attack by limiting access to valuable assets, privileges, data, services, networks and places, to only authorized individuals. Conversely, our products enhance the monetary value and/or viability of privileged assets, places and services by ensuring only subscribers and otherwise entitled holders can enjoy full access to their privileges. In effect, our products replace traditional credentialing systems, which utilize a physical or electronic credential document to represent the holder’s privilege entitlement, and access control systems that guard access to such privileges. Examples of such privileges include, but are not limited to: international travel and immigration privileges; employment ID, campus ID and corporate ID privileges; healthcare service privileges; citizen entitlement privileges such as Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security; and bank, credit account and financial transaction privileges such as checking accounts, debit and credit cards, payments, online services and subscription privileges. Examples of access points include doorways, gates, computers, point-of-sale terminals, smart-phones or web-portals and automobiles. In our opinion, the market for advanced user authentication, including fingerprint biometrics, is conceptually enormous, represented by virtually any doorway, gate, computer network or internet end-point like smart-phones, desktops, laptops PCs and tablets, and compounded by the number of individuals privileged to access something guarded by those access points. We believe the market opportunity for our products is massive, global and growing encompassing nearly all privilege entitlement and access control systems.

Historically, our largest market has been access control within highly regulated industries like healthcare. However, we believe the mass adoption of advanced smart-phone and hand-held wireless devices have caused commercial demand for advanced user authentication to emerge as viable. The introduction of smart-phone capabilities, like mobile payments and credentialing, could effectively require biometric user authentication on mobile devices to reduce risks of identity theft, payment fraud and other forms of fraud in the mobile or cellular based World Wide Web. As more services and payment functionalities, like mobile wallets and NFC, migrate to smart-phones, the value and potential risk associated with such systems should grow substantially and drive demand and mass adoption of advanced user authentication technologies, including fingerprint biometrics and our solutions.

Upon introducing a series of compact fingerprint readers, we saw an immediate uptick in inquiries from both large commercial companies seeking an alternative to passwords, and from consumers recognizing that they could use SideSwipe or EcoID to replace their Windows password.  

In October 2015, we established a wholly owned subsidiary in Hong Kong “BIO-key Hong Kong” for purposes of establishing relationships and conducting business is the Asia Pacific Region. Through our new Hong Kong subsidiary, we will staff to support the growing demand for secure identification and authentication in the region.

We believe there is potential for significant market growth in five key areas:

Business Model

Our business model for 2016 and beyond is focused on the following key areas:

Research and Development

We concentrate our research and development efforts on enhancing the functionality, reliability and integration of our current products as well as developing new and innovative products and solutions. Although we believe that our identification technology is one of the most advanced and discriminating fingerprint technologies available today, the markets in which we compete are characterized by rapid technological change and evolving standards. In order to maintain our position in the market, we will continue to upgrade and refine our existing technologies. We have also licensed mobile platform software from China Goldjoy Group which will be integrated with our core WEB-key offerings and introduced to the Asian markets during 2016. This presents a significant opportunity for us going forward.

Products On Demand (POD)

Our technology and development team welcomes the opportunity to develop customer specific solutions if they are funded. Our strategy to support POD is to utilize internal resources, outsource support services and strategic partners to satisfy unique customer requirements. Our flexible, nimble business model and interoperable capabilities are key differentiators.

Competition

In addition to companies that provide existing commonplace methods of restricting access to facilities and logical access points such as pass cards, PIN numbers, passwords, locks and keys, there are numerous companies involved in the development, manufacturing and marketing of fingerprint biometrics products to commercial, government, law enforcement and prison markets. These companies include, but are not limited to, 3M (Cogent), NEC, and MorphoTrak.

The majority of sales for automated fingerprint identification products in the market to date have been deployed for government agencies, healthcare facilities, and law enforcement applications. The consumer and commercial markets represent areas of significant growth potential for biometrics, led by the use of mobile devices.

The epidemic of security and data breaches reported over the past few years is one of the driving factors for identifying new methods of protecting valuable data. After attempting to create a more sophisticated password or more efficient token or PIN, it has become apparent that each of these methods are easily compromised, and the downside risks are significant.

With respect to competing biometrics technologies, each has its strengths and weaknesses and none has emerged as a market leader:

Government Regulations

We are not currently subject to direct regulation by any government agency, other than regulations generally applicable to businesses or related to specific project requirements. In the event of any international sales, we would be subject to various domestic and foreign laws regulating such exports and export activities.

Environmental Regulations

As of the date of this report, we have not incurred any material expenses relating to our compliance with federal, state, or local environmental laws and do not expect to incur any material expenses in the foreseeable future.

Employees and Consultants

As of March 25, 2016, we employed nineteen individuals on a full-time basis as follows: (i) ten in engineering, customer support, research and development; (ii) three in finance and administration; and (iii) six in sales and marketing. We also use the services of four consultants (full-time) who provide engineering and technical services, and one part-time contracts administrator. Additionally, our Hong Kong subsidiary employs two administrative individuals.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Set forth below are the risks that we believe are material to our investors. This section contains forward-looking statements. You should refer to the explanation of the qualifications and limitations on forward-looking statements appearing just before our Description of Business section above. Effective February 3, 2015, we implemented a reverse stock split of our outstanding common stock at a ratio of 1-for-2 shares. All share figures and results are reflected on a post-split basis.

Business and Financial Risks

Based on our lack of sufficient revenue since inception and recurring losses from operations, our auditors have included an explanatory paragraph in their opinion as to the substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern.

Due to, among other factors, our history of losses and limited revenue, our independent auditors have included an explanatory paragraph in their opinion for the year ended December 31, 2015 as to the substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, which contemplate that we will continue to operate as a going concern. Our financial statements do not contain any adjustments that might result if we are unable to continue as a going concern.

Since our formation, we have historically not generated significant revenue and have sustained substantial operating losses.

As of December 31, 2015, we had an accumulated deficit of approximately $59 million. In order to increase revenue, we have developed a direct sales force and anticipate the need to retain additional sales, marketing and technical support personnel and may need to incur substantial expenses. We cannot assure you that we will be able to secure these necessary resources, that a significant market for our technologies will develop, or that we will be able to achieve our targeted revenue. If we are unable to achieve revenue or raise capital sufficient to cover our ongoing operating expenses, we will be required to scale back operations, including marketing and research initiatives, or in the extreme case, discontinue operations.

Our biometric technology has yet to gain widespread market acceptance and we do not know how large of a market will develop for our technology.

Biometric technology has received only limited market acceptance, particularly in the private sector. Our technology represents a novel security solution and we have not yet generated significant sales. Although recent security concerns relating to identification of individuals and appearance of biometric readers on popular consumer products, including the Apple iPhone, have increased interest in biometrics generally, it remains an undeveloped, evolving market. Biometric based solutions compete with more traditional security methods including keys, cards, personal identification numbers and security personnel. Acceptance of biometrics as an alternative to such traditional methods depends upon a number of factors including:

      ●     national or international events which may affect the need for or interest in biometric solutions;

      ●     the performance and reliability of biometric solutions;

      ●     marketing efforts and publicity regarding these solutions;

      ●     public perception regarding privacy concerns;

      ●     costs involved in adopting and integrating biometric solutions;

      ●     proposed or enacted legislation related to privacy of information; and

      ●     competition from non-biometric technologies that provide more affordable, but less robust, authentication (such as tokens and smart cards).

For these reasons, we are uncertain whether our biometric technology will gain widespread acceptance in any commercial markets or that demand will be sufficient to create a market large enough to produce significant revenue or earnings. Our future success depends, in part, upon business customers adopting biometrics generally, and our solution specifically.

Biometric technology is a new approach to Internet security, which must be accepted in order for our WEB-key ® solution to generate significant revenue.

Our WEB-key authentication initiative represents a new approach to Internet security, which has been adopted on a limited basis by companies that distribute goods, content or software applications over the Internet. The implementation of our WEB-key solution requires the distribution and use of a finger scanning device and integration of database and server side software. Although we believe our solutions provide a higher level of security for information transmitted over the Internet than existing traditional methods, unless business and consumer markets embrace the use of a scanning device and believe the benefits of increased accuracy outweigh implementation costs, our solution will not gain market acceptance.

The market for our solutions is still developing and if the biometrics industry adopts standards or a platform different from our standards or platform, our competitive position would be negatively affected.

The market for identity solutions is still developing. The evolution of this market may result in the development of different technologies and industry standards that are not compatible with our current solutions, products or technologies. Several organizations set standards for biometrics to be used in identification and documentation. Although we believe that our biometric technologies comply with existing standards, these standards may change and any standards adopted could prove disadvantageous to or incompatible with our business model and current or future solutions, products and services.

Our software products may contain defects which will make it more difficult for us to establish and maintain customers.

Although we have completed the development of our core biometric technology, it has only been used by a limited number of business customers. Despite extensive testing during development, our software may contain undetected design faults and software errors, or “bugs” that are discovered only after it has been installed and used by a greater number of customers. Any such defect or error in new or existing software or applications could cause delays in delivering our technology or require design modifications. These could adversely affect our competitive position and cause us to lose potential customers or opportunities. Since our technologies are intended to be utilized to secure physical and electronic access, the effect of any such bugs or delays will likely have a detrimental impact on us. In addition, given that biometric technology generally, and our biometric technology specifically, has yet to gain widespread acceptance in the market, any delays would likely have a more detrimental impact on our business than if we were a more established company.  

In order to generate revenue from our biometric products, we are dependent upon independent original equipment manufacturers, system integrators and application developers, which we do not control. As a result, it may be more difficult to generate sales.

We market our technology through licensing arrangements with:

       ●     Original equipment manufacturers, system integrators and application developers which develop and market products and applications which can then be sold to end users

       ●     Companies which distribute goods, services or software applications over the Internet

As a technology licensing company, our success will depend upon the ability of these manufacturers and developers to effectively integrate our technology into products and services which they market and sell. We have no control over these licensees and cannot assure you that they have the financial, marketing or technical resources to successfully develop and distribute products or applications acceptable to end users or generate any meaningful revenue for us. These third parties may also offer the products of our competitors to end users. While we have commenced a significant sales and marketing effort, we have only begun to develop a significant distribution channel and may not have the resources or ability to sustain these efforts or generate any meaningful sales.

We face intense competition and may not have the financial and human resources necessary to keep up with rapid technological changes, which may result in our technology becoming obsolete.

The Internet, facility access control and information security markets are subject to rapid technological change and intense competition. We compete with both established biometric companies and a significant number of startup enterprises as well as providers of more traditional methods of access control. Most of our competitors have substantially greater financial and marketing resources than we do and may independently develop superior technologies, which may result in our technology becoming less competitive or obsolete. We may not be able to keep pace with this change. If we are unable to develop new applications or enhance our existing technology in a timely manner in response to technological changes, we will be unable to compete in our chosen markets. In addition, if one or more other biometric technologies such as voice, face, iris, hand geometry or blood vessel recognition are widely adopted, it would significantly reduce the potential market for our fingerprint identification technology. 

We intend to introduce our products in Asian markets in 2016. Our financial performance will be subject to risks associated with changes in the value of the U.S. dollar versus local currencies.

Our primary exposure to movements in foreign currency exchange rates relates to non-U.S. dollar-denominated sales and operating expenses worldwide. Weakening of foreign currencies relative to the U.S. dollar will adversely affect the U.S. dollar value of our foreign currency-denominated sales and earnings, if any, and could lead to us raising international pricing, potentially reducing the demand for our products. In addition, margins on sales of our products in foreign countries and on sales of products that include components obtained from foreign suppliers could be materially adversely affected by foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.

We depend on key employees and members of our management team, including our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Technology Officer, in order to achieve our goals. We cannot assure you that we will be able to retain or attract such persons.

Our employment contracts with Michael W. DePasquale, our Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and Mira LaCous, our Chief Technology Officer, expire annually, and renew automatically for successive one year periods unless notice of non-renewal is provided by the Company. Although the contracts do not prevent them from resigning, they do contain confidentiality and non-compete clauses, which are intended to prevent them from working for a competitor within one year after leaving our Company. Our success depends on our ability to attract, train and retain employees with expertise in developing, marketing and selling software solutions. In order to successfully market our technology, we will need to retain additional engineering, technical support and marketing personnel. The market for such persons remains highly competitive and our limited financial resources will make it more difficult for us to recruit and retain qualified persons.

We cannot assure you that the intellectual property protection for our core technology provides a sustainable competitive advantage or barrier to entry against our competitors.

Our success and ability to compete is dependent in part upon proprietary rights to our technology. We rely primarily on a combination of patent, copyright and trademark laws, trade secrets and technical measures to protect our propriety rights. We have filed a patent application relating to both the optic technology and biometrics solution components of our technology wherein several claims have been allowed. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued us a series of patents for our Vector Segment fingerprint technology (VST), and our other core biometric analysis and identification technologies. However, we cannot assure you that we will be able to adequately protect our technology or other intellectual property from misappropriation in the U.S. and abroad. Any patent issued to us could be challenged, invalidated or circumvented or rights granted thereunder may not provide a competitive advantage to us. Furthermore, patent applications that we file may not result in issuance of a patent or, if a patent is issued, the patent may not be issued in a form that is advantageous to us. Despite our efforts to protect our intellectual property rights, others may independently develop similar products, duplicate our products or design around our patents and other rights. In addition, it is difficult to monitor compliance with, and enforce, our intellectual property rights on a worldwide basis in a cost-effective manner. In jurisdictions where foreign laws provide less intellectual property protection than afforded in the U.S. and abroad, our technology or other intellectual property may be compromised, and our business would be materially adversely affected. If any of our proprietary rights are misappropriated or we are forced to defend our intellectual property rights, we will have to incur substantial costs. Such litigation could result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources, including diverting the time and effort of our senior management, and could disrupt our business, as well as have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. We can provide no assurance that we will have the financial resources to oppose any actual or threatened infringement by any third party. Furthermore, any patent or copyrights that we may be granted may be held by a court to infringe on the intellectual property rights of others and subject us to the payment of damage awards. 

We may be subject to claims with respect to the infringement of intellectual property rights of others, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of our financial and management resources.

Third parties may claim that we are infringing on their intellectual property rights. We may violate the rights of others without our knowledge. We may expose ourselves to additional liability if we agree to indemnify our customers against third party infringement claims. While we know of no basis for any claims of this type, the existence of and ownership of intellectual property can be difficult to verify and we have not made an exhaustive search of all patent filings. Additionally, most patent applications are kept confidential for twelve to eighteen months, or longer, and we would not be aware of potentially conflicting claims that they make. We may become subject to legal proceedings and claims from time to time relating to the intellectual property of others in the ordinary course of our business. If we are found to have violated the intellectual property rights of others, we may be enjoined from using such intellectual property, and we may incur licensing fees or be forced to develop alternative technology or obtain other licenses. In addition, we may incur substantial expenses in defending against these third party infringement claims and be diverted from devoting time to our business and operational issues, regardless of the merits of any such claim.

In addition, in the event that we recruit employees from other technology companies, including certain potential competitors, and these employees are used in the development of portions of products which are similar to the development in which they were involved at their former employers, we may become subject to claims that such employees have improperly used or disclosed trade secrets or other proprietary information. If any such claims were to arise in the future, litigation or other dispute resolution procedures might be necessary to retain our ability to offer our current and future services, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of our financial and management resources. Successful infringement or licensing claims against us may result in substantial monetary damages, which may materially disrupt the conduct of our business and have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations. Even if intellectual property claims brought against us are without merit, they could result in costly and time consuming litigation, and may divert our management and key personnel from operating our business.

If we are unable to effectively protect our intellectual property rights on a worldwide basis, we may not be successful in the international expansion of our business.

Access to worldwide markets depends in part on the strength of our intellectual property portfolio. There can be no assurance that, as our business expands into new areas, we will be able to independently develop the technology, software or know-how necessary to conduct our business or that we can do so without infringing the intellectual property rights of others. To the extent that we have to rely on licensed technology from others, there can be no assurance that we will be able to obtain licenses at all or on terms we consider reasonable. The lack of a necessary license could expose us to claims for damages and/or injunction from third parties, as well as claims for indemnification by our customers in instances where we have a contractual or other legal obligation to indemnify them against damages resulting from infringement claims. With regard to our own intellectual property, we actively enforce and protect our rights. However, there can be no assurance that our efforts will be adequate to prevent the misappropriation or improper use of our protected technology in international markets.

We face inherent product liability or other liability risks that could result in large claims against us. 

We have inherent risk of exposure to product liability and other liability claims resulting from the use of our products, especially to the extent customers may depend on our products in public safety situations that may involve physical harm or even death to individuals, as well as exposure to potential loss or damage to property. Despite quality control systems and inspection, there remains an ever-present risk of an accident resulting from a faulty manufacture or maintenance of products, or an act of an agent outside of our or our supplier’s control. Even if our products perform properly, we may become subject to claims and costly litigation due to the catastrophic nature of the potential injury and loss. A product liability claim, or other legal claims based on theories including personal injury or wrongful death, made against us could adversely affect operations and financial condition. Although we may have insurance to cover product liability claims, the amount of coverage may not be sufficient. 

We expect that we will need to obtain additional financing to execute our business plan over the long-term, which may not be available. If we are unable to raise additional capital or generate significant revenue, we may not be able to continue operations.

We have historically financed our operations through access to the capital markets by issuing secured and convertible debt securities, convertible preferred stock, common stock, and recently through factoring receivables. We currently require approximately $512,000 per month to conduct our operations, a monthly amount that we have been unable to consistently achieve through revenue generation.  During 2015, we generated approximately $5,261,000 of revenue, which is below our average monthly requirements. With the addition of the dividend obligations for the Series A-1 and B-1 shares, our monthly amount will increase by approximately $67,000. With our recent fourth quarter capital raise, we believe our current cash resources are sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next twelve months. If we are unable to generate sufficient revenue to cover operating expenses and fund our business plan, we will need to obtain additional third-party financing to (i) conduct the sales, marketing and technical support necessary to execute our plan to substantially grow operations, increase revenue and serve a significant customer base; and (ii) provide working capital. We may, therefore, need to obtain additional financing through the issuance of debt or equity securities. We cannot assure you that we will be able to secure any such additional financing on terms acceptable to us or at all. If we cannot obtain such financing, we will not be able to execute our business plan, will be required to reduce operating expenses, and in the extreme case, discontinue operations.

We may not achieve sustainable profitability with respect to the biometric component of our business if we are unable to maintain, improve and develop the wireless data services we offer.

We believe that our future business prospects depend in part on our ability to maintain and improve our current services and to develop new ones on a timely basis. Our services will have to achieve market acceptance, maintain technological competitiveness, and meet an expanding range of customer requirements. As a result of the complexities inherent in our service offerings, major new wireless data services and service enhancements require long development and testing periods. We may experience difficulties that could delay or prevent the successful development, introduction or marketing of new services and service enhancements. Additionally, our new services and service enhancements may not achieve market acceptance. If we cannot effectively develop and improve services, we may not be able to recover our fixed costs or otherwise become profitable.

If we fail to adequately manage our resources, it could have a severe negative impact on our financial results or stock price.

We could be subject to fluctuations in technology spending by existing and potential customers. Accordingly, we will have to actively manage expenses in a rapidly changing economic environment. This could require reducing costs during economic downturns and selectively growing in periods of economic expansion. If we do not properly manage our resources in response to these conditions, our results of operations could be negatively impacted.

Our business could be negatively impacted by security threats, including cybersecurity threats, and other disruptions.

As a technology company, we face various security threats, including cybersecurity threats to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information. Although we utilize various procedures and controls to monitor these threats and mitigate our exposure to such threats, there can be no assurance that these procedures and controls will be sufficient in preventing security threats from materializing. If any of these events were to materialize, they could lead to losses of sensitive information, critical infrastructure, personnel or capabilities, essential to our operations and could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.

Cybersecurity attacks in particular are evolving and include but are not limited to, malicious software, attempts to gain unauthorized access to data, and other electronic security breaches that could lead to disruptions in critical systems, unauthorized release of confidential or otherwise protected information and corruption of data. These events could damage our reputation and lead to financial losses from remedial actions, loss of business or potential liability.

Risks Related To Our Common Stock

We have issued a substantial number of securities that are convertible into shares of our common stock which could result in substantial dilution to the ownership interests of our existing shareholders.

As of December 31, 2015, approximately 97,834,247 shares of our common stock were reserved for issuance upon exercise or conversion of outstanding stock options, convertible preferred stock and warrants. Our Series A-1 and Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock and certain warrants, contain “blocker provisions” which prohibit the conversion or exercise of such securities if such conversions would result in the holder of such securities beneficially owing in excess of 9.99% or 4.99%, respectively, of our outstanding shares. Although these provisions may be waived on 61 days written notice, they may have the effect of reducing the number of shares of common stock we are required to issue at any one time. The exercise or conversion of these securities will result in a significant increase in the number of outstanding shares and substantially dilute the ownership interests of our existing stockholders. 

The availability of a substantial number of shares of our common stock for public sale may cause the price of our common stock to decline. 

Our most recent registration statement, which was declared effective in February 2016, covers the public resale of 65,000,000 shares of our common stock, including 30,000,000 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock issued in our October 2015 and November 2015 private offerings and 35,000,000 shares of common stock issuable upon conversion of Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock issued in our November 2015 private offering. The Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock and Series B-1 Convertible Preferred stock are each subject to a “blocker provision” which prohibits conversion if such conversion would result in the holder being the beneficial owner of in excess of 9.99% of our common stock. Although these provisions may be waived on 61 days written notice, they may have the effect of reducing the number of shares of common stock we are required to issue at any one time. Absent such blocker provisions, the shares of common stock being offered by the selling security holders represent approximately 98% of our outstanding shares. In addition, we have effective registration statements covering the public resale of an aggregate of 18,061,172 additional shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of warrants exercisable between $0.30 and $0.50 per share, and 17,581,618 additional shares of issued and outstanding common stock. The availability of these shares for sale to the public, whether or not sales have occurred or are occurring, and the sale of such shares in the public markets could have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. Such an adverse effect on the market price would make it more difficult for us to raise additional financing through the sale of equity or equity-related securities in the future at a time and price that we deem reasonable or appropriate.

Applicable SEC Rules governing the trading of “penny stocks” limits the trading and liquidity of our common stock, which may affect the trading price of our common stock.

Our common stock currently trades on the OTCQB. Since our common stock continues to trade below $5.00 per share, our common stock is considered a “penny stock” and is subject to SEC rules and regulations, which impose limitations upon the manner in which our shares can be publicly traded. These regulations require the delivery, prior to any transaction involving a penny stock, of a disclosure schedule explaining the penny stock market and the associated risks. Under these regulations, certain brokers who recommend such securities to persons other than established customers or certain accredited investors must make a special written suitability determination regarding such a purchaser and receive such purchaser’s written agreement to a transaction prior to sale. These regulations have the effect of limiting the trading activity of our common stock and reducing the liquidity of an investment in our common stock. 

We intend to raise additional funds in the future through issuances of securities and such additional funding may be dilutive to stockholders or impose operational restrictions.

We expect that we will need to raise additional capital in the future to help fund our operations through sales of shares of our common stock or securities convertible into shares of our common stock, as well as issuances of debt. Such additional financing may be dilutive to our stockholders, and debt financing, if available, and may involve restrictive covenants which may limit our operating flexibility. If additional capital is raised through the issuance of shares of our common stock or securities convertible into shares of our common stock, the percentage ownership of existing stockholders will be reduced. These stockholders may experience additional dilution in net book value per share and any additional equity securities may have rights, preferences and privileges senior to those of the holders of our common stock.

Because we do not expect to pay dividends for the foreseeable future, investors seeking cash dividends should not purchase shares of common stock.

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our common stock. Our Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock accrues dividends at the rate of 6% per annum payable quarterly on April 1, July 1, October 1 and January 1 of each year, payable in cash through October 1, 2017 and thereafter, in cash or kind through the issuance of additional shares of common stock. Our Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock accrues dividends at the rate of 2.5% per annum payable quarterly on April 1, July, 1, October 1, and January 1 of each year payable in cash. Following the payment of dividends on our Series A-1 and B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock, we currently intend to retain future earnings, if any, to finance the expansion of our business. As a result, we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Our payment of any future dividends will be at the discretion of our board of directors after taking into account various factors, including but not limited to our financial condition, operating results, cash needs, growth plans and the terms of any credit agreements that we may be a party to at the time. Accordingly, investors seeking cash dividends should not purchase shares of our common stock. 

Provisions of our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and Delaware law may make a contested takeover of our Company more difficult.

Certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware ("DGCL") could deter a change in our management or render more difficult an attempt to obtain control of us, even if such a proposal is favored by a majority of our stockholders. For example, we are subject to the provisions of the DGCL that prohibit a public Delaware corporation from engaging in a broad range of business combinations with a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns 15% or more of the corporation’s outstanding voting shares (an "interested stockholder") for three years after the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. Our certificate of incorporation also includes undesignated preferred stock, which may enable our board of directors to discourage an attempt to obtain control of us by means of a tender offer, proxy contest, merger or otherwise. Finally, our bylaws include an advance notice procedure for stockholders to nominate directors or submit proposals at a stockholders meeting. Delaware law and our charter may, therefore, inhibit a takeover. 

The trading price of our common stock may be volatile.

The trading price of our shares has from time to time fluctuated widely and in the future may be subject to similar fluctuations. The trading price may be affected by a number of factors including the risk factors set forth in this prospectus as well as our operating results, financial condition, announcements of innovations or new products by us or our competitors, general conditions in the biometrics and access control industries, and other events or factors. We cannot assure you that any of the broker-dealers that currently make a market in our common stock will continue to serve as market makers or have the financial capability to stabilize or support our common stock. A reduction in the number of market makers or the financial capability of any of these market makers could also result in a decrease in the trading volume of and price of our shares. In recent years broad stock market indices, in general, and the securities of technology companies, in particular, have experienced substantial price fluctuations. Such broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the future-trading price of our common stock.  

ITEM 2. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY

We do not own any real estate. We conduct operations from leased premises in Eagan, Minnesota (5,544 square feet), and Wall, New Jersey (4,517 square feet), as well as in several home-office locations across the country. We are in the process of assessing the required facilities to support our Hong Kong subsidiary.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

In the normal course of business, we periodically become involved in litigation. We are not a party to any material pending litigation.

ITEM 4.      MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

N/A

PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our common stock currently trades on the OTCQB Marketplace under the symbol “BKYI”. The following table sets forth the range of high and low bid prices per share of our common stock for each of the calendar quarters identified below as reported by the OTCQB Marketplace. These quotations represent inter-dealer prices, without retail mark-up, markdown or commission, and may not represent actual transactions. The quotations for all periods reflect BIO-key’s 1-for-2 reverse stock split, which was effective February 3, 2015.

Holders

As of March 28, 2016, the number of stockholders of record of our common stock was 144.

Dividends

We have not paid any cash dividends on our common stock to date, and have no intention of paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. The declaration and payment of dividends on our common stock is also subject to the discretion of our Board of Directors and certain limitations imposed under the DGCL. The timing, amount and form of dividends, if any, will depend on, among other things, our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements and other factors deemed relevant by our Board of Directors.

Equity Compensation Plan Information

For information regarding our equity compensation plans, see Item 12 included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers

None.

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This Management’s Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations, and other parts of this Report contain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. All forward-looking statements included in this Report are based on information available to us on the date hereof, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those set forth in the section captioned “RISK FACTORS” in Item 1A and elsewhere in this Report. The following should be read in conjunction with our audited financial statements included elsewhere herein.

The following Management’s Discussion And Analysis Of Financial Condition And Results Of Operations (“MD&A”) is intended to help you understand the Company. The MD&A is provided as a supplement to and should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the accompanying notes.

Effective February 3, 2015, we implemented a reverse stock split of our outstanding common stock at a ratio of 1-for-2 shares. All share figures are reflected on a post-split basis.

OVERVIEW

We develop and market advanced fingerprint biometric identification and identity verification technologies, cryptographic authentication-transaction security technologies, as well as related identity management and credentialing software solutions. We were pioneers in developing automated, finger identification technology that supplements or compliments other methods of identification and verification, such as personal inspection identification, passwords, tokens, smart cards, ID cards, PKI, credit card, passports, driver’s licenses, OTP or other form of possession or knowledge-based credentialing.  Advanced BIO-key® technology has been and is used to improve both the accuracy and speed of competing finger-based biometrics.

In partnerships with OEMs, integrators, and solution providers, we provide biometric software solutions to private and public sector customers.  We provide the ability to positively identify and authenticate individuals before granting access to valuable corporate resources, web portals or applications in seconds.  Powered by our patented Vector Segment Technology™ or VST™, WEB-key® and BSP development kits are fingerprint biometric solutions that provide interoperability with all major reader manufacturers, enabling application developers and integrators to integrate fingerprint biometrics into their applications. 

More recently, we have begun to distribute directly to consumers and commercial users our SideSwipe™ and EcoID™ products. SideSwipe and EcoID are stand-alone fingerprint readers that can be used on any laptop, tablet or other device with a USB port.

We have developed what we believe is the most discriminating and effective commercially available finger-based biometric technology. Our primary focus is in marketing and selling this technology into commercial logical and physical privilege entitlement & access control markets.  Our primary market focus includes, among others, mobile payments & credentialing, online payments and credentialing, and healthcare record and payment data security.  Our secondary focus includes government and educational markets.

STRATEGIC OUTLOOK AND RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

Historically, our largest market has been access control within highly regulated industries such as healthcare.  However, we believe the mass adoption of advanced smart-phone and hand-held wireless devices have caused commercial demand for advanced user authentication to emerge as viable.  The introduction of smart-phone capabilities, like mobile payments and credentialing, could effectively require biometric user authentication on mobile devices to reduce risks of identity theft, payment fraud and other forms of fraud in the mobile or cellular based world wide web. As more services and payment functionalities, such as mobile wallets and near field communication (NFC), migrate to smart-phones, the value and potential risk associated with such systems should grow and drive demand and adoption of advanced user authentication technologies, including fingerprint biometrics and BIO-key solutions.

As devices with onboard fingerprint sensors continue to deploy to consumers, we expect that third party application developers will demand the ability to authenticate users of their respective applications (app’s) with the onboard fingerprint biometric. We further believe that authentication will occur on the device itself for potentially low-value, and therefore low-risk, use-transactions and that user authentication for high-value transactions will migrate to the application provider’s authentication server, typically located within their supporting technology infrastructure, or Cloud. We have developed our technology to enable, on-device authentication as well as network or cloud-based authentication and believe we may be the only technology vendor capable of providing this flexibility and capability. Our core technology works on over 40 commercially available fingerprint readers, across both Windows and Linux platforms, and Apple iOS and Android mobile operating systems. This interoperability, coupled with the ability to authentic users via the device or cloud, is unique in the industry, provides a key differentiator for us, and in our opinion, makes our technology more viable than competing technologies and expands the size of the overall market for our products.

We believe there is potential for significant market growth in five key areas:

In the near-term, we expect to grow our business within government services and highly-regulated industries in which we have historically had a strong presence, such as the healthcare industry.  We believe that continued heightened security and privacy requirements in these industries will generate increased demand for security solutions, including biometrics. In addition, we expect that the integration of our technology into Windows 10, will accelerate the demand for our computer network log-on solutions and fingerprint readers. Finally, our entry into the Asian market and licensing arrangement with CGG is expected to further expand our business by opening new markets.

Over the longer term, we intend to expand our business into the cloud and mobile computing industries. The emergence of cloud computing and mobile computing are primary drivers of commercial and consumer adoption of advanced authentication applications, including biometric and BIO-key authentication capabilities.  As the value of assets, services and transactions increases on such networks, we expect that security and user authentication demand should rise proportionately. Our integration partners include major web and network technology providers, who we believe will deliver our cloud-applicable solutions to interested service-providers. These service-providers could include, but are not limited to, financial institutions, web-service providers, consumer payment service providers, credit reporting services, consumer data service providers, healthcare providers and others. Additionally, our integration partners include major technology component providers and OEM manufacturers, who we believe will deliver our device-applicable solutions to interested hardware manufacturers. Such manufacturers could include cellular handset and smartphone manufacturers, tablet manufacturers, laptop and PC manufacturers, among other hardware manufacturers. 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Consolidated Results of Operations

Two Year % trend

Revenues and Costs of goods sold

Revenues

Revenue increased $1,255,369 or 31% to $5,261,225 in 2015 as compared to $4,005,856 in 2014. As described more fully below, the increase was primarily due to material growth in our core business of licensing our software and new revenue stream from sales of our fingerprint readers.

For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, service revenues included approximately $679,000 and $627,000, respectively, of recurring maintenance and support revenue, and approximately $252,000 and $863,000, respectively, of non-recurring custom services revenue.  Recurring service revenue increased 8% from 2014 to 2015, due to the increase in bundled maintenance agreements to our expanding customer license base. Non-recurring custom services decreased 71% due to a completion of a customer project at the end of 2014.

For the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, license and other revenue (comprised of third party and BIO-key hardware, and royalty) increased approximately 72% as a result of several contributing factors.  Software license revenue increased by approximately $957,000 or 49% during the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to the year ended December 31, 2014. We continued to expand our relationship with NCR, developed new partnerships, continued to ship orders to Aesynt for their continued deployment of our identification technology in their AccuDose® product line, and for ongoing expansion of biometric ID deployments with commercial partners LexisNexis, Educational Biometric Technology, Identimetrics, and a large supplemental order from single international customer.  Hardware sales increased by approximately $841,000 (181%), as a result of the introduction of our new low cost fingerprint readers, the establishment of our Hong Kong subsidiary, and expanding healthcare industry deployments.  Royalty income, from an OEM agreement for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased 18% to approximately $103,000 from $87,000 during 2014, due to adding a new OEM partner.

Costs of goods sold

For the year ended December 31, 2015, cost of service decreased approximately $185,000 primarily as a result of costs associated with non-recurring custom services revenue. License and other costs for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased approximately $716,000 due primarily to the increase in hardware revenue, and third party software revenue.

Selling, general and administrative

Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2015 increased 12% from the year ended December 31, 2014.  Increases were driven by expanded sales and marketing personnel expenses, commission expense associated with increased revenue, factoring fees, settlement of litigation and related legal fees, and legal fees associated with the license agreement with CGG.

Research, development and engineering

For the year ended December 31, 2015, research, development and engineering costs decreased 4% as we did not engage temporary outside consulting services for any personnel for specific projects that we had in 2014.

Other income and expense

Interest income for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014 consisted of bank interest.

Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2015 represented the amortized original issue discount, the amortized debt discount from the warrant liabilities, and the interest charge under a promissory note we issued in September 2015.

During the fourth quarters of 2013 and 2014 and third quarter of 2015, we issued various warrants that contained derivative liabilities. Such derivative liabilities are required to be marked-to-market each reporting period.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Operating activities overview

Net cash used for operations during the year ended December 31, 2015 was approximately $15,560,000. Items of note were as follows:

Investing activities overview

Net cash used for investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2015 was approximately $3,000 and was due to the purchase of capital expenditures.

Financing activities overview

Net cash provided by financing activities during the year ended December 31, 2015 was approximately $19,041,000 and attributable primarily to the following:

CAPITAL RESOURCES

Since our inception, our capital needs have been principally met through proceeds from the sale of equity and debt securities.  We expect capital expenditures to be less than $100,000 during the next twelve months.  We do not currently maintain a line of credit or term loan with any commercial bank or other financial institution.

The following sets forth our primary sources of capital during the previous two years:

As of December 2011, we entered into a 24-month accounts receivable factoring arrangement with a financial institution (the “Factor”). Pursuant to the terms of this arrangement, from time to time, we sell to the Factor certain of our accounts receivable balances on a non-recourse basis for credit approved accounts. The Factor remits 35% of the foreign and 75% of the accounts receivable balance to us (the “Advance Amount”), with the remaining balance, less fees to be forwarded to the Company once the Factor collects the full accounts receivable balance from the customer. In addition, the Company, from time to time, receives over advances from the factor. Factoring fees range from 2.75% to 21% of the face value of the invoice factored and are determined by the number of days required for collection of the invoice. In April 2012, the terms were updated from monthly to quarterly, and the 24-month arrangement was extended to August 1, 2014. In July of 2014, the arrangement was extended to July 31, 2016. We expect to continue to use this factoring arrangement periodically to assist with our general working capital requirements due to contractual requirements.  

In November 2014, we issued an aggregate of 7,974,999 shares of our common stock and warrants to purchase an additional 11,962,499 shares of common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $1,595,000 prior to a deduction for expenses. The warrants have a term of five years and an exercise price of $0.30 per share.

On September 23, 2015, we issued a promissory note and a warrant to purchase 833,333 shares of common stock for an aggregate principal sum of $250,000. The warrants have a term of five years and have an exercise price of $0.30 per share. The note was repaid in full in October 2015.

On October 22 and 29, 2015, we issued 84,500 shares (the “Series A-1 Shares”) of Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $100.00 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $8,450,000. The Series A-1 Shares are convertible at any time at the option of the holder into shares of common stock at an initial conversion price of $0.30 per share, subject to adjustment for stock dividends, stock splits, combinations, and reclassifications of our capital stock, and subject to a “blocker provision” which prohibits conversion if such conversion would result in the holder being the beneficial owner of in excess of 9.99% of our common stock. The Series A-1 Shares accrue dividends at the rate of 6% per annum payable quarterly on April 1, July, 1, October 1, and January 1 of each year payable in cash through October 1, 2017 and thereafter, in cash or kind through the issuance of additional shares of common stock having a value equal to the volume weighted average trading price of the Company’s common stock for the ten (10) days preceding the applicable dividend payment date.

On November 11, 2015, we issued 105,000 shares (the “Series B-1 Shares”) of Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $100.00 per share, for gross proceeds of $10,500,000, and 5,500 additional shares of Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $100.00 per share, for gross cash proceeds of $550,000. The Series B-1 Shares are convertible at any time at the option of the holder into shares of common stock at an initial conversion price of $0.30 per share, subject to adjustment for stock dividends, stock splits, combinations, and reclassifications of our capital stock, and subject to a “blocker provision” which prohibits conversion if such conversion would result in the holder being the beneficial owner of in excess of 9.99% of our common stock. The Series B-1 Shares accrue dividends at the rate of 2.5% per annum payable quarterly on April 1, July, 1, October 1, and January 1 of each year payable in cash.

LIQUIDITY OUTLOOK

At December 31, 2015, our total cash and cash equivalents were approximately $4,321,000, as compared to approximately $844,000 at December 31, 2014.

As discussed above, we have historically financed our operations through access to the capital markets by issuing secured and convertible debt securities, convertible preferred stock, common stock, and through factoring receivables. We currently require approximately $512,000 per month to conduct our operations, a monthly amount that we have been unable to consistently achieve through revenue generation.  During 2015, we generated approximately $5,261,000 of revenue, which is below our average monthly requirements. With the addition of the dividend obligations for the Series A-1 and B-1 shares, our monthly amount will increase by approximately $67,000. With our recent fourth quarter capital raise, we believe our current cash resources are sufficient to fund our operations for at least the next twelve months.

If we are unable to generate sufficient revenue to fund current operations or meet our goals, we will need to obtain additional third-party financing to (i) conduct the sales, marketing and technical support necessary to execute our plan to substantially grow operations, increase revenue and serve a significant customer base; and (ii) provide working capital. We may, therefore, need to obtain additional financing through the issuance of debt or equity securities.

Due to several factors, including our history of losses and limited revenue, our independent auditors have included an explanatory paragraph in their opinion related to our annual financial statements as to the substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our long-term viability and growth will depend upon the successful commercialization of our technologies and our ability to obtain adequate financing. To the extent that we require such additional financing, no assurance can be given that any form of additional financing will be available on terms acceptable to us, that adequate financing will be obtained to meet our needs, or that such financing would not be dilutive to existing stockholders. If available financing is insufficient or unavailable or we fail to continue to generate sufficient revenue, we may be required to further reduce operating expenses, delay the expansion of operations, be unable to pursue merger or acquisition candidates, or continue as a going concern.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have, or are in the opinion of management reasonably likely to have, a current or future effect on our financial condition or results of operations.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires that we make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. We evaluate our estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis. Our actual results may differ significantly from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. There have been no material changes to these estimates for the periods presented in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

We believe that of our significant accounting policies, which are described in Note A of the notes to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, the following accounting policies involve a greater degree of judgment and complexity. Accordingly, these are the policies we believe are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our financial condition and results of operations.

1. Revenue Recognition

Revenues from software licensing are recognized in accordance with ASC 985-605, “Software Revenue Recognition." Accordingly, revenue from software licensing is recognized when all of the following criteria are met: persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the fee is fixed or determinable, and collectability is probable.

The Company intends to enter into arrangements with end users for items which may include software license fees, and services or various combinations thereof. For each arrangement, revenues will be recognized when evidence of an agreement has been documented, the fees are fixed or determinable, collection of fees is probable, delivery of the product has occurred and no other significant obligations remain.

Multiple-Element Arrangements: For multiple-element arrangements, the Company applies the residual method in accordance with ASC 985-605. The residual method requires that the portion of the total arrangement fee attributable to the undelivered elements be deferred based on its VSOE of fair value and subsequently recognized as the service is delivered. The difference between the total arrangement fee and the amount deferred for the undelivered elements is recognized as revenue related to the delivered elements, which is generally the software license. VSOE of fair value for all elements in an arrangement is based upon the normal pricing for those products and services when sold separately. VSOE of fair value for support services is additionally determined by the renewal rate in customer contracts. The Company has established VSOE of fair value for support as well as consulting services.

License Revenues: Amounts allocated to license revenues are recognized at the time of delivery of the software and all other revenue recognition criteria discussed above have been met.

Revenue from licensing software, which requires significant customization and modification, is recognized using the percentage of completion method, based on the hours of effort incurred by the Company in relation to the total estimated hours to complete. In instances where third party hardware, software or services form a significant portion of a customer’s contract, the Company recognizes revenue for the element of software customization by the percentage of completion method described above. Otherwise, third party hardware, software, and services are recognized upon shipment or acceptance as appropriate. If the Company makes different judgments or utilizes different estimates of the total amount of work expected to be required to customize or modify the software, the timing and revenue recognition, from period to period, and the margins on the project in the reporting period, may differ materially from amounts reported. Anticipated contract losses are recognized as soon as they become known and are estimable.

Service Revenues: Revenues from services are comprised of maintenance and consulting and implementation services. Maintenance revenues include providing for unspecified when-and-if available product updates and customer telephone support services, and are recognized ratably over the term of the service period. Consulting services are generally sold on a time-and-materials basis and include a range of services including installation of software and assisting in the design of interfaces to allow the software to operate in customized environments. Services are generally separable from other elements under the arrangement since performance of the services are not essential to the functionality of any other element of the transaction and are described in the contract such that the total price of the arrangement would be expected to vary as the result of the inclusion or exclusion of the services. Revenues from services are generally recognized as the services are performed.

The Company provides customers, free of charge or at a minimal cost, testing kits which potential licensing customers may use to test compatibility/acceptance of the Company’s technology with the customer’s intended applications.

Costs and other expenses: Includes professional compensation and other direct contract expenses, as well as costs attributable to the support of client service professional staff, depreciation and amortization costs related to assets used in revenue-generating activities, and other costs attributable to serving the Company’s client base. Professional compensation consists of payroll costs and related benefits including stock-based compensation and bonuses. Other direct contract expenses include costs directly attributable to client engagements, such as out-of-pocket costs including travel and subsistence for client service professional staff, costs of hardware and software and costs of subcontractors. The allocation of lease and facilities charges for occupied offices is included in costs of service.

The Company accounts for its warranties under the FASB ASC 450 “Contingencies.” The Company generally warrants that its products are free from defects in material and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of initial delivery to its customers. The warranty does not cover any losses or damage that occurs as a result of improper installation, misuse or neglect or repair or modification by anyone other than the Company or its authorized repair agent. The Company’s policy is to accrue anticipated warranty costs based upon historical percentages of items returned for repair within one year of the initial sale. The Company’s repair rate of products under warranty has been minimal, and a historical percentage has not been established. The Company’s software license agreements generally include certain provisions for indemnifying customers against liabilities if the Company’s software products infringe upon a third party’s intellectual property rights. The Company has not provided for any reserves for warranty liabilities as it was determined to be immaterial.

2. Impairment or Disposal of Long Lived Assets, including Intangible Assets

We review our long-lived assets, including intangible assets subject to amortization, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of such an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of these assets is measured by comparison of their carrying amount to the future undiscounted cash flows the assets are expected to generate. If such assets are considered impaired, the impairment to be recognized is equal to the amount by which the carrying value of the assets exceeds their fair value determined by either a quoted market price, if any, or a value determined by utilizing a discounted cash flow technique. In assessing recoverability, we must make assumptions regarding estimated future cash flows and discount factors. If these estimates or related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to record impairment charges. Intangible assets with determinable lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives, based upon the pattern in which the expected benefits will be realized, or on a straight-line basis, whichever is greater. We did not record any impairment charges in any of the years presented.

3. Research and Development Expenditures

Research and development expenses include costs directly attributable to the conduct of research and development programs primarily related to the development of our software products and improving the efficiency and capabilities of our existing software. Such costs include salaries, payroll taxes, employee benefit costs, materials, supplies, depreciation on research equipment, services provided by outside contractors, and the allocable portions of facility costs, such as rent, utilities, insurance, repairs and maintenance, depreciation and general support services. All costs associated with research and development are expensed as incurred.

4. Income Taxes

The provision for, or benefit from, income taxes includes deferred taxes resulting from the temporary differences in income for financial and tax purposes using the liability method. Such temporary differences result primarily from the differences in the carrying value of assets and liabilities. Future realization of deferred income tax assets requires sufficient taxable income within the carryback, carryforward period available under tax law. The Company evaluates, on a quarterly basis whether, based on all available evidence, if it is probable that the deferred income tax assets are realizable. Valuation allowances are established when it is more likely than not that the tax benefit of the deferred tax asset will not be realized. The evaluation, as prescribed by ASC 740-10, “Income Taxes,” includes the consideration of all available evidence, both positive and negative, regarding historical operating results including recent years with reported losses, the estimated timing of future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, estimated future taxable income exclusive of reversing temporary differences and carryforwards, and potential tax planning strategies which may be employed to prevent an operating loss or tax credit carryforward from expiring unused. Because of the Companies historical performance and estimated future taxable income a full valuation allowance has been established.

5. Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation

The Company accounts for share based compensation in accordance with the provisions of ASC 718-10, “Compensation — Stock Compensation,” which requires measurement of compensation cost for all stock awards at fair value on date of grant and recognition of compensation over the service period for awards expected to vest. The majority of our share-based compensation arrangements vest over either a three or four year vesting schedule. The Company expenses its share-based compensation under the ratable method, which treats each vesting tranche as if it were an individual grant. The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes valuation model, and requires the input of highly subjective assumptions. These assumptions include estimating the length of time employees will retain their vested stock options before exercising them (the “expected option term”), the estimated volatility of our common stock price over the option’s expected term, the risk-free interest rate over the option’s expected term, and the Company’s expected annual dividend yield. Changes in these subjective assumptions can materially affect the estimate of fair value of stock-based compensation and consequently, the related amount recognized as an expense in the consolidated statements of operations. As required under the accounting rules, we review our valuation assumptions at each grant date and, as a result, are likely to change our valuation assumptions used to value employee stock-based awards granted in future periods. The values derived from using the Black-Scholes model are recognized as expense over the service period, net of estimated forfeitures (the number of individuals that will ultimately not complete their vesting requirements). The estimation of stock awards that will ultimately vest requires significant judgment. We consider many factors when estimating expected forfeitures, including types of awards, employee class, and historical experience. Actual results, and future changes in estimates, may differ substantially from our current estimates.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

See financial statements appearing at pages 40-66 of this report

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

N/A

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2015. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2015, our CEO and CFO concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at the reasonable assurance level.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations. Internal control over financial reporting is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. Internal control over financial reporting also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. Because of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore, it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, the risk. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, we have conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2015, based upon the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2015.

As the Company is a smaller reporting company, this annual report does not include an attestation report of the Company’s registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. Management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s registered public accounting firm pursuant to rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission that permit the company to provide only management’s report in this annual report.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

No change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2015 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION

None.

PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The following sets forth certain information about each director, executive officer, and key employee of the Company.

Directors

We believe that our board of directors should be composed of individuals with sophistication and experience in many substantive areas that impact our business. We believe that experience, qualifications, or skills in the following areas are most important: legal/regulatory and government affairs; accounting and finance; design, innovation and engineering; strategic planning; and human resources and development practices; and board practices of other corporations. These areas are in addition to the personal qualifications described in this section. We believe that our current board members possess the professional and personal qualifications necessary for board service, and have highlighted particularly noteworthy attributes for each board member below. The principal occupation and business experience, for at least the past five years, of each current director is as follows: 

MICHAEL W. DEPASQUALE has served as our Chief Executive Officer and a Director since January 3, 2003, and Chairman of the Board since January 29, 2014. He served as Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Company from July 2005 to August 2006. Mr. DePasquale brings more than 27 years of executive management, sales and marketing experience to the Company. Prior to joining us, Mr. DePasquale served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Prism eSolutions, Inc., a Pennsylvania-based provider of professional consulting services and online solutions for ISO-9001/14000 certification for customers in manufacturing, healthcare and government markets, since February 2001. From December 1999 through December 2000, Mr. DePasquale served as Group Vice President for WRC Media, a New York-based distributor of supplemental education products and software. From January 1996 until December 1999, Mr. DePasquale served as Senior Vice President of Jostens Learning Corp., a California-based provider of multimedia curriculum. Prior to Jostens, Mr. DePasquale held sales and marketing management positions with McGraw-Hill and Digital Equipment Corporation. Mr. DePasquale earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the New Jersey Institute of Technology. He serves on the Board of Directors and as Treasurer of the International Biometrics and Identification Industry Association. Mr. DePasquale has extensive general management experience in the technology sector and has served as a Director for number of non-profit organizations and private companies.

CHARLES P. ROMEO has served as a Director since February 28, 2005 and from January 29, 2003 to April 19, 2004. From April 2004 until February 2005, he served as our Vice President of Sales, Public Safety Division. From November 2005 to November 2007, Mr. Romeo served as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing for UNICOM, a Rhode Island systems integrator. From September 2002 until April 2004, Mr. Romeo was the President and Chief Executive Officer of FreedomBridge Technologies, Inc., a Rhode Island-based consulting firm to technology companies in the homeland security industry specializing in implementing direct and channel selling programs, strategic alliances and partnerships in the law enforcement market. Prior to founding FreedomBridge, Mr. Romeo had a 33 year sales and marketing management career with Digital Equipment Corporation, Compaq Computer Corporation and Hewlett Packard. During his career, Mr. Romeo served as Vice President of Service Sales for a $500 million business unit, and Director of Public Sector Sales for a $275 million division of Hewlett Packard. Mr. Romeo authored The Sales Manager’s Troubleshooter, Prentice Hall 1998, which was named as one of the “top 10 must reads” by Sales and Marketing Magazine. Mr. Romeo earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Economics from the University of Massachusetts and an Executive MBA from Babson College. Mr. Romeo has significant sales and marketing management experience in the infrastructure and computer hardware and software industries.

JOHN SCHOENHERR has served as a Director since December 30, 2004. Mr. Schoenherr served as Vice President of Corporate Performance Management for Oracle Corporation from 1995 through 2006. Prior to Oracle he served as Senior Vice President of Business Intelligence and Analytics at Information Resources, Inc. Mr. Schoenherr has over 25 years of experience in the area of business intelligence and strategic planning. His career includes a number of product development and management positions. Mr. Schoenherr has extensive product management and information services experience in both the large and small enterprise sectors.

THOMAS E. BUSH, III has served as a Director of the Company since January 29, 2014. Since 2009, Mr. Bush has provided business consulting services through his firm, Tom Bush Consulting. Prior to that, Mr. Bush served with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for over 33 years. Mr. Bush joined the FBI in September 1975, ultimately becoming the Director of the CJIS division, with over 2,500 employees and a budget of approximately one billion dollars. Mr. Bush is known for providing critical services in support of the criminal justice community, with two significant IT projects; Next Generation Identification and N-Dex, were awarded by CJIS with early increments delivered during his tenure at the FBI. He was the recipient of many awards during his tenure, most notably a Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service in 2007. Mr. Bush's extensive experience in law enforcement, security matters, and the use of biometric technologies in the government sector provides the Board with a unique perspective on security and public sector matters.

THOMAS GILLEY has served as a Director of the Company since January 29, 2014. Mr. Gilley is an entrepreneur, hands on technologist for mobile technologies, digital media, internet of things and social computing. Mr. Gilley served at Apple Computer, in the Advance Technology Group and Portable Products Group.  Before and after Apple, Mr. Gilley founded several successful companies including PicoStar, a Silicon Valley incubator-technology investment company where he has been CEO since 1996.  In New York City Mr. Gilley served as a strategic advisor, investor and technology company founder. Most recently, Mr. Gilley sold his on-demand web media company to Vignette and acted as CTO throughout the transaction and through the company's ultimate acquisition by OpenText. Mr. Gilley’s substantial experience in starting, operating and financing technology companies provides the Board with a deep knowledge of the sales and development cycles applicable to growth businesses in the technology industry

WONG KWOK FONG has served as a Director of the Company since December 4, 2015. He is the co-founder of China Goldjoy Group (previously World Wide Touch Technology Holdings Limited), a Company listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. From 1997 until August 2015, Mr. Wong served as the Chairman of China Goldjoy Group and currently serves as its Chief Technology Officer. During this time, Mr. Wong played a significant role in the substantial growth of the business.  Mr. Wong brings over 14 years of senior management experience in manufacturing, supply chain, and marketing functions in the electronics and technology industries, including establishing manufacturing plants in Hong Kong and China, and building an extensive network in the electronics and technology industries. Mr. Wong’s substantial experience in the technology industry, including biometrics and payment systems, and serving the Asian markets, broadens and strengthens the Board’s collective qualifications, skills, and experience.

YAO JIANHUI has served as a Director of the Company since December 4, 2015. He has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of the China Goldjoy Group Ltd., a Company listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, since August 2015.  Since June 2006, Mr. Yao has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Baoneng Holding (China) Co. Ltd., a company principally engaged in property development. From July 2010 to October 2014, Mr. Yao was the General Manager and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Baocheng Investment Co. Ltd., a company listed on Shanghai Stock Exchange principally engaged in the manufacturing of cables as well as the hotel and trading business. Mr. Yao has held senior management positions with a number of enterprises and listed companies across a wide range of industries including food, construction materials, real estate, commerce, agriculture and forestry, logistics, technology and finance. Mr. Yao’s extensive industry experience, particularly in serving the Asian markets, further broadens and strengthens the Board’s collective qualifications, skills, and experience.

Executive Officers

CECILIA WELCH has served as our Chief Financial Officer since December 21, 2009. Ms. Welch joined us in 2007 as our Corporate Controller. Prior to joining us, from January 2006 to December 2006, she was the Controller for Savaje Technologies (acquired by Sun Microsystems), a developer of advanced mobile telephone software. From October 2004 to January 2006, she was Controller for Crystal Systems, a manufacturer of sapphire crystals used for industrial, semiconductor, defense and medical applications. From December 1988 to July 2004, she was the Controller for ATN Microwave (acquired by Agilent Technologies), a manufacturer of automated test equipment. Ms. Welch has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Franklin Pierce University.

MIRA K. LACOUS has served as Chief Technology Officer of the Company since March 13, 2014. Prior to her appointment as Chief Technology Officer, she served as our Senior Vice President of Technology & Development since 2012, and as our Vice President of Technology and Development since 2000. Ms. LaCous has over 28 years of product/project management, solution architecture, software development, team leadership and customer relations experience, with a background that includes successfully bringing numerous technologies to market, including automated voice response systems, automated building control systems, software piracy protection, intranet training materials and testing, page layout and design software, image scanning software and systems, biometric security, biometric algorithms and more. Ms. LaCous is also the author of six US patented technologies, multiple international patents, and other patent pending solutions. She has been an officer or director of two other companies; National Computer Systems (NCS), and TEL-Line Systems. Ms. LaCous has a Bachelor’s in Computer Science from North Dakota State University. Ms. LaCous also served on the Board of Directors of the Minnesota Sinfonia, a not-for-profit arts and education organization, as well as its chairperson for two years. 

Key Employees

RENAT Z. ZHDANOV has served as our Chief Scientist since November 2001. He has over fifteen years of academic experience in various fields of mathematics and physics; fifteen years of image processing, pattern recognition, and big data analysis algorithm development experience and more than ten years of software development experience ranging from database programming to statistical and analytical programming. Dr. Zhdanov is a recognized expert in mathematical physics and is the author of two books and more than 130 papers published in leading mathematics and physics journals. Before joining us, he worked as Chief Mathematician and Visiting Scientist in universities in Ukraine, Germany, Great Britain, Sweden and Spain. Dr. Zhdanov has two PhD degrees in Mathematical Physics and Differential Equations from the Institute of Mathematics in Kiev, Ukraine. He serves as the member of the Editorial Board of the “Journal of Applied Mathematics”.

JAMES SULLIVAN has served as our Senior Vice President of Global Sales since August 2015, and is a recognized expert in biometric authentication for consumer and mobile applications.  In over 10 years at BIO-key, Mr. Sullivan has directly worked with dozens of BIO-key’s customers, including AT&T, LexisNexis, NCR and McKesson on large-scale biometric-centered identity management projects that interface daily with millions of corporate and consumer users.  Mr. Sullivan holds a Computer Science degree from Brown University, and has 24 years of experience in IT projects and implementation, 14 of them directly working with identity management solutions at BIO-key, Computer Associates, Platinum Technology, and Memco Software.

Directors’ Terms of Office

Mr. DePasquale was initially elected as a director in 2003, and was re-elected in 2004. Mr. Schoenherr was initially elected as a director in 2004. Mr. Romeo was initially elected as a director in 2005. Mr. Bush and Mr. Gilley were initially appointed as directors in 2014. Mr. Wong and Mr. Yao were initially appointed as directors in 2015. Each such director was elected to serve until the Company’s next annual meeting or until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified in accordance with the By-laws of the Company.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee is comprised solely of John Schoenherr. The Board has determined that Mr. Schoenherr is an “audit committee financial expert” under the applicable rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Additionally, the Audit Committee has the ability on its own to retain independent accountants or consultants whenever it deems appropriate.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), requires the Company’s officers and directors and persons who own more than ten percent (10%) of the Company’s Common Stock to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of the Company’s Common Stock. Such officers, directors and ten percent (10%) stockholders are also required by applicable SEC rules to furnish the Company with copies of all forms filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act. Based solely on its review of the copies of such forms received by it, or written representations from such persons that no other reports were required for such persons, the Company believes that during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to the Company’s officers, directors and ten percent (10%) stockholders were satisfied in a timely fashion, except for the late filing of the following forms:

Code of Ethics

We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions. Our Code of Ethics is designed to deter wrongdoing and promote: (i) honest and ethical conduct, including the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships; (ii) full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable disclosure in reports and documents that we file with, or submit to, the SEC and in our other public communications; (iii) compliance with applicable governmental laws, rules, and regulations; (iv) the prompt internal reporting of violations of the code to an appropriate person or persons identified in the code; and (v) accountability for adherence to the code.  The Company intends to disclose amendments or waivers of the Code of Ethics on its website within four business days.  Any person may obtain a copy of our Code of Ethics free of charge by sending a written request for such to the attention of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, 3349 Highway 138, Building A Suite E, Wall, NJ 07719.

Internet Address and SEC Reports

We maintain a website with the address www.BIO-key.com. We are not including the information contained on our website as a part of, or incorporating it by reference into, this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We make available free of charge through our website our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish such material to, the SEC. Our SEC filings are also available over the Internet at the SEC’s website www.sec.gov. Members of the public may read and copy any materials the Company files with the SEC at the SEC’s public reference room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. Information on the operation of the public reference room is available by calling the SEC on 1-800-SEC-0330.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The following table sets forth a summary of the compensation paid to or accrued by our chief executive officer (principal executive officer) and the two most highly compensated executive officers other than the principal executive officer, who were serving as executive officers at the end of December 31, 2015, for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014:

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table

Compensation for BIO-key’s executives is comprised of three main components: base salary, annual performance-based cash bonus, and long-term equity awards. We do not target a specific weighting of these three components or use a prescribed formula to establish pay levels. Rather, the board of directors and compensation committee considers changes in the business, external market factors and our financial position each year when determining pay levels and allocating between long-term and current compensation for the named executive officers.

Cash compensation is comprised of base salary and an annual performance-based cash bonus opportunity. The committee generally seeks to set a named executive officer’s targeted total cash compensation opportunity within a range that is the average of the applicable peer company and/or general industry compensation survey data, adjusted as appropriate for individual performance and internal pay equity and labor market conditions. Due to limited cash resources, we did not pay any cash bonuses over the past two years.

In setting cash compensation levels, we favor a balance in which base salaries are generally targeted at slightly below the peer average and a bonus opportunity that is targeted at slightly above the average. The committee believes that this higher emphasis on performance-based cash bonuses places an appropriate linkage between a named executive officer’s pay, his or her individual performance and the achievement of specific business goals by placing a higher proportion of annual cash compensation at risk, thereby aligning executive opportunity with the interests of stockholders.

We include an equity component as part of our compensation package because we believe that equity-based compensation aligns the long-term interests of our named executive officers with those of stockholders.

These cash and equity compensation components of pay are supplemented by various benefit plans that provide health, life, accident, disability and severance benefits, most of which are the same as the benefits provided to all of our US based employees.

Employment Agreements

On March 26, 2010, the Company entered into an employment agreement, effective as of March 25, 2010, with Michael W. DePasquale to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company until March 24, 2011. The agreement automatically renews for subsequent one-year terms, unless the employment relationship is terminated by either party, or modified in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement. Under the Agreement, Mr. DePasquale will be paid an annual base salary of $250,000, subject to adjustment by the Board or Compensation Committee. In addition to the Base Salary, a “Performance Bonus” may be awarded to Mr. DePasquale on the basis of the Company achieving certain corporate and strategic performance goals, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion. The employment agreement contains standard and customary confidentiality, non-solicitation and “work made for hire” provisions as well as a covenant not to compete which prohibits Mr. DePasquale from doing business with any current or prospective customer of the Company or engaging in a business competitive with that of the Company during the term of his employment and for the one year period thereafter. This agreement also contains a number of termination and change in control provisions as described in “Termination and Change in Control Arrangements” in this Item.

On March 13, 2014, in connection with her appointment as Chief Technology Officer, the Company amended and restated Ms. LaCous’ employment agreement to increase Ms. LaCous’ annual base salary to $202,000. The employment agreement contains standard and customary confidentiality, technical invention provisions, as well as a covenant not to compete, which prohibits Ms. LaCous from doing business with any current or prospective customer of the Company or engaging in a business competitive with that of the Company during the term of her employment and for the one year period thereafter. This agreement also contains a number of termination provisions as described in “Termination and Change in Control Arrangements” in this Item.

On May 15, 2013, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Cecilia Welch to serve as the Chief Financial Officer of the Company until May 2014. The agreement automatically renews for subsequent one-year terms, unless the employment relationship is terminated by either party, or modified in accordance with the terms and conditions of the agreement. The employment agreement contains standard and customary confidentiality, technical invention provisions, as well as a covenant not to compete, which prohibits Ms. Welch from doing business with any current or prospective customer of the Company or engaging in a business competitive with that of the Company during the term of her employment and for the one year period thereafter. This agreement also contains a number of termination provisions as described in “Termination and Change in Control Arrangements” in this Item.

Stock Option Grants

In the event of any change in the outstanding shares of our common stock by reason of a stock dividend, stock split, combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, transfer of assets, reorganization, conversion or what the board deems to be similar circumstances, the number and kind of shares subject to outstanding options, and the exercise price of such options shall be appropriately adjusted in a manner to be determined in the sole discretion of the board. Furthermore, these option agreements contain a change of control provision as described in “Termination Arrangements” in this Item.

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR END

DECEMBER 31, 2015

The following table sets forth for each named executive officer, information regarding outstanding equity awards as at December 31, 2015. The option awards and per share amounts for all periods reflect BIO-key’s 1-for-2 reverse stock split, which was effective February 3, 2015.

Narrative Disclosure to Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End Table

The following are the material terms of each agreement, contract, plan or arrangement that provide for payments to one or more of our named executive officers at, following or pursuant to their resignation, retirement or termination, or in connection with a change in control of the Company.

Termination Arrangements

Our employment agreement with Mr. DePasquale automatically renews for subsequent one-year terms, unless the employment relationship is terminated by either party, or modified in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement. We may terminate the Agreement at any time with or without cause. In the event of termination by us without cause, we will continue to pay Mr. DePasquale his then current base salary for the greater of nine months from the date of such termination or the number of months remaining until the end of the term of the Agreement.

We may terminate our employment agreement with Ms. LaCous at any time with or without cause. In the event of termination by us without cause, we will continue to pay Ms. LaCous her then current base salary for nine months from the date of such termination.

Our employment agreement with Ms. Welch automatically renews for subsequent one-year terms, unless the employment relationship is terminated by either party, or modified in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Agreement. We may terminate our employment agreement with Ms. Welch at any time with or without cause. In the event of termination by us without cause, we will continue to pay Ms. Welch her then current base salary for the greater of six months from the date of such termination or the number of months remaining until the end of the term of the Agreement.

Change in Control Provisions

Awards under the Company’s 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2015 Plan”) may be subject to acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after a “Change in Control” as may be provided in the award agreement for such award but in the absence of such provision, no such acceleration shall occur. A Change in Control under the 2015 Plan generally means (i) the acquisition by a person or entity of more than 50% of our combined voting power other than by merger, consolidation or similar transaction; (ii) a consummated merger, consolidation or similar transaction immediately after which our stockholders cease to own more than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving entity; (iii) a complete dissolution or liquidation of the company, except for a liquidation into a parent corporation; (iv) a consummated sale, lease or exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially of our consolidated assets; or (v) when a majority of our board of directors becomes composed of individuals whose nomination, appointment, or election was not approved by a majority of our board members or their approved successors. As of the date of this report, no awards have been issued under the 2015 Plan.

The Company’s 1999 Stock Option Plan and 2004 Stock Incentive Plan (the “1999 Plan” and together with the 2004 Plan, the “Plans”) provide for the acceleration of the vesting of unvested options upon a “Change in Control” of the Company. A Change in Control is defined in the Plans to include (i) a sale or transfer of substantially all of the Company’s assets; (ii) the dissolution or liquidation of the Company; (iii) a merger or consolidation to which the Company is a party and after which the prior shareholders of the Company hold less than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving corporation’s outstanding securities; (iv) the incumbent directors cease to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors; or (v) a change in control of the Company which would otherwise be reportable under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

In the event of a “Change In Control” each Plan provides for the immediate vesting of all options issued thereunder. The 1999 Plan provides for the Company to deliver written notice to each optionee under the 1999 Plan fifteen (15) days prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control during which all options issued under the 1999 Plan may be exercised. Thereafter, all options issued under the 1999 Plan which are neither assumed nor substituted in connection with such transaction, automatically expire unless otherwise determined by the Board. The 2004 Plan enables the Board to provide that all outstanding options be assumed, or equivalent options be substituted by the acquiring or succeeding corporation upon the occurrence of a “Reorganization Event” as defined. If such Reorganization Event also constitutes a Change In Control, then such assumed or substituted options shall be immediately exercisable in full. If the acquiring or succeeding corporation does not agree to assume, or substitute for such options, then the Board, upon written notice to the Participants, may provide that all unexercised options become exercisable in full as of a specified time prior to the Reorganization Event and terminate prior to the consummation of the Reorganization Event. Alternatively, if under the terms and conditions of the Reorganization Event, holders of common stock will receive a cash payment for their shares, then the Board may provide that all Participants receive a cash payment equal to the difference between the Acquisition Price and the Option Price multiplied by the number of options held by such Participants.

Options issued to executive officers outside of the Plans contain change in control provisions substantially similar to those contained in the 1999 Plan.

Our employment agreement with Mr. DePasquale contains a change in control provision that is triggered if Mr. DePasquale is not offered continued employment with us or any successor, or within five years following such Change of Control, we or any successor terminates Mr. DePasquale’s employment without cause. If this occurs, then we will pay Mr. DePasquale his base salary and benefits earned but unpaid through the date of termination, and any prorated bonus earned during the then current bonus year, plus two times his then current base salary.

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED

DECEMBER 31, 2015

The following table sets forth for each director, information regarding their compensation for the year ended December 31, 2015:

(1)   Mr. DePasquale has been omitted from the above table because he does not receive any additional compensation for serving on our Board of Directors.

(2)   The aggregate fair value of the common stock issued was calculated based on the closing price of our common stock on the date of issuance.

(3)   The aggregate grant date fair value of the option awards was estimated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, with the assumptions listed in Note A to the Company’s financial statements. The amount shown in this column represents the grant date fair value calculated under ASC 718

(4) Ms. Rivera resigned from the Company’s Board of Directors on July 15, 2015.

(5) Appointed effective December 4, 2015. Did not receive any fees for the year ended December 31, 2015.

Narrative Disclosure to Director Compensation Table

During 2014, the Company had a policy to pay to each non-employee director $3,000 per board meeting and $1,000 per telephonic board meeting attended and to make an annual grant of options in the discretion of the Board upon recommendation of the Compensation Committee. In August 2015, the Company modified its director compensation policy such that fees for attendance at regularly quarterly board meetings held during the first three quarters of each fiscal year are paid through the issuance of shares of common stock and payment for the last meeting of the year is paid in cash or, at the option of the director, in shares of common stock. In 2015, we granted to four of our non-employee directors an option to purchase 25,000 shares of common stock. The options vest in three equal annual installments and expire seven years after the date of grant.

We reimburse each of our non-employee directors for their reasonable expenses incurred in connection with attending meetings of the board of directors and related committees.

ITEM 12.   SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The following table sets forth, as of March 28, 2016 information with respect to the securities holdings of all persons which the Company, pursuant to filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, has reason to believe may be deemed the beneficial owners of more than five percent (5%) of the Company’s outstanding common stock. The following table also sets forth, as of such date, the beneficial ownership of the Company’s common stock by all officers and directors, individually and as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each person listed below is c/o BIO-key International, Inc., 3349 Highway 138, Building A, Suite E, Wall, NJ 07719. The share amounts reflect BIO-key’s 1-for-2 reverse stock split, which was effective February 3, 2015

  The following table sets forth, as of December 31, 2015, information with respect to securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans. The shares and per share amounts reflect BIO-key’s 1-for-2 reverse stock split, which was effective February 3, 2015

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

The Company’s 1999 Stock Option Plan (the “1999 Plan”) was adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company on or about August 31, 1999. The material terms of the 1999 Plan are summarized below.

The 1999 Plan is currently administered by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Plan Administrator”). The Plan Administrator is authorized to construe the 1999 Plan and any option issued under the 1999 Plan, select the persons to whom options may be granted, and determine the number of shares to be covered by any option, the exercise price, vesting schedule and other material terms of such option. Under the 1999 Plan 1,000,000 shares of common stock were reserved for issuance to officers, employees, directors and consultants of the Company at exercise prices not less than 85% of the last sale price of the Company’s common stock as reported on the OTC Bulletin Board on the date of grant. Options have terms of not more than 10 years from the date of grant, are subject to vesting as determined by the Plan Administrator and are not transferable without the permission of the Company except by will or the laws of descent and distribution or pursuant to a domestic relations order. Options terminate three (3) months after termination of employment or other association with the Company or one (1) year after termination due to disability, death or retirement. In the event that termination of employment or association is for a cause, as that term is defined in the 1999 Plan, options terminate immediately upon such termination. The Plan Administrator has the discretion to extend options for up to three years from the date of termination or disassociation with the Company.

The 1999 Plan provides for the immediate vesting of all options in the event of a “Change In Control” of the Company. In the event of a Change In Control, the Company is required to deliver written notice to each optionee under the 1999 Plan fifteen (15) days prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control, during which time all options issued under 1999 Plan may be exercised. Thereafter, all options issued under the 1999 Plan which are neither assumed nor substituted in connection with such transaction, automatically expire, unless otherwise determined by the Board. Under the 1999 Plan, a “Change In Control” is defined to include (i) a sale or transfer of substantially all of the Company’s assets; (ii) the dissolution or liquidation of the Company; (iii) a merger or consolidation to which the Company is a party and after which the prior shareholders of the Company hold less than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving corporation’s outstanding securities; (iv) the incumbent directors cease to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors; or (v) a change in control of the Company which would otherwise be reportable under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. The 1999 Plan expired in August 2009.

As of December 31, 2015, there were outstanding options under the 1999 Plan to purchase 250,000 post-split shares of common stock, and no shares were available for future grants.

On October 12, 2004, the Board of Directors of the Company approved the 2004 Stock Option Plan (the 2004 Plan). The 2004 Plan has not yet been presented to stockholders for approval and thus incentive stock options are not available under this plan. Under the terms of this plan, 2,000,000 post-split shares of common stock are reserved for issuance to employees, officers, directors, and consultants of the Company at exercise prices which may not be below 85% of fair market value. The term of stock options granted may not exceed ten years. Options issued under the 2004 Plan vest pursuant to the terms of stock option agreements with the recipients. In the event of a change in control, as defined, all options outstanding vest immediately. The 2004 Plan expired in October 2014.

As of December 31, 2015, there were outstanding options under the 2004 Plan to purchase 1,020,000 post-split shares of common stock, and no shares were available for future grants.

On December 4, 2015, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2015 Plan), which the stockholders approved on January 27, 2016. The material features of the 2015 Plan are outlined below.

The 2015 Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors. Subject to the terms of the 2015 Plan, the plan administrator may determine the recipients, numbers and types of awards to be granted, and terms and conditions of the awards, including the period of their exercisability and vesting. The terms of the 2015 Plan provide for the grant of incentive stock options (ISOs), nonstatutory stock options (NSOs), restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, stock appreciation rights, other stock awards, and performance awards that may be settled in stock, or other property. Under the terms of this plan, 8,000,000 shares of common stock are reserved for issuance to employees, non-employee directors, and consultants at exercise prices which may not be less than 100%-110% of the fair market value of the common stock subject to the stock option on the date of grant. A maximum of 400,000 shares of our common stock may be granted to any one participant during any one calendar year pursuant to stock options, stock appreciation rights or other stock awards. The term of stock options granted may not exceed ten years. If a stock award granted under the 2015 Plan, or any portion thereof, expires, is forfeited or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by the stock award having been issued, such expiration, termination or settlement will not reduce or otherwise offset the number of shares available for issuance under the 2015 Plan. In the event of a change in control, a stock award under the 2015 Plan may be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability. Unless terminated sooner by our Board of Directors, the 2015 Plan will automatically terminate on December 3, 2025.  

As of December 31, 2015, there were outstanding options under the 2015 Plan to purchase 0 post-split shares of common stock, and 8,000,000 shares were available for future grants.

In addition to options issued under the 1999, 2004 and 2015 Plans, the Company has issued options to employees, officers, directors and consultants to purchase common stock under the non-plan. As of December 2015, there were outstanding options under the non-plan to purchase 3,108,833 post-split shares of common stock. The terms of outstanding options under the non-plan are substantially similar to the provisions of the 1999 Plan and options issued thereunder.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Employment Arrangements

The Company has entered into employment agreements with Michael W. DePasquale, Mira LaCous, and Cecilia Welch. See “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION—Employment Agreements.”

Consulting Arrangement with Thomas J. Colatosti

In connection with his appointment to the Board of Directors in September 2002, and as acting Chief Financial Officer from November 2008 to December 2009, the Company had entered into a number of consulting arrangements with Thomas Colatosti. Under the most recent arrangement, which was entered into on January 12, 2010, Mr. Colatosti provided services to the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates for the two-year term ended December 31, 2011 at a rate of $5,000 per month. All amounts owing to Mr. Colatosti were paid during 2014.

Licensing Agreement with Subsidiaries of China Goldjoy Group Limited.

In November 2015, our subsidiary BIO-key Hong Kong Limited entered into a license purchase agreement with certain subsidiaries of China Goldjoy Group Limited (“CGG”). The license agreement provides for the grant of a perpetual, irrevocable, exclusive, worldwide, fully-paid license to all software and documentation regarding the software code, toolkit, electronic libraries and related technology currently known as or offered under the Finger Q name, together with perpetual license under all related patents held by the licensors and any other intellectual property rights owned by the licensors related to the forgoing software.  We made a one-time payment of $12,000,000 to the licensors. Mr. Yao Jianhu is the chairman and chief executive officer of CGG. Mr. Wong Kwok Fong is the chief technology officer of CGG and the beneficial owner of 9.9% of our common stock.

October – November 2015 Private Placements

On October 22, October 29, and November 11, 2015, Wong Kwok Fong purchased 90,000 shares of our Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $100.00 per share for gross proceeds of $9,000,000. Shares of the Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock are convertible at any time at the option of the holder into shares of common stock at an initial conversion price of $0.30 per share, subject to a “blocker provision” which prohibits conversion if such conversion would result in the holder being the beneficial owner of in excess of 9.99% of the Issuer’s outstanding shares of common stock. Holders of shares of our Series A-1 Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to elect one director to our board. Wong Kwok Fong is a director of the Company, beneficially owns in excess of 5% of our common stock, and also serves as the chief technology officer of CGG.

On November 11, 2015, Giant Leap International, Ltd., which is a subsidiary of CGG, purchased 30,000 shares of our Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $100.00 per share for gross proceeds of $3,000,000. Shares of the Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock are convertible at any time at the option of the holder into shares of common stock at an initial conversion price of $0.30 per share, subject to a “blocker provision” which prohibits conversion if such conversion would result in the holder being the beneficial owner of in excess of 9.99% of the Issuer’s outstanding shares of common stock. Holders of shares of our Series B-1 Convertible Preferred Stock are entitled to elect one director to our board. Yao Jianhui is a director of the Company, and serves as the chairman of the board of directors of CGG.

Director Independence

The Board applies the definition of independent director as set forth in NASDAQ Stock Market Rule 5605 (a)(2), as well as Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

In accordance with this guidance, the Board considers Mr. Schoenherr, Mr. Romeo, Mr. Bush and Mr. Gilley, to be independent. Mr. Schoenherr is the sole member of the Company’s Audit Committee, while Mr. Romeo, and Mr. Bush are the members of the Company’s Compensation Committee. 

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES

The following table shows fees for professional services and quarterly audit fees billed to us by Rotenberg Meril Solomon Bertiger & Guttilla, P.C. (“RMSBG”) for the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014: