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Protagenic Therapeutics, Inc.\new - Quarter Report: 2010 September (Form 10-Q)

Unassociated Document
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
x
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010 or

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

For the transition period from __________ to __________
Commission File Number: 001-12555


ATRINSIC, INC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware
 
06-1390025
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
  
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

469 7 th Avenue, 10 th Floor, New York, NY 10018

(Address of principal executive offices) (ZIP Code)

(212) 716-1977

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 (Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

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 and Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Yes x No    ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Date 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 x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer  ¨
Accelerated filer  ¨
Non-accelerated filer  ¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller reporting company  x

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes x No ¨

As of November 10, 2010, the Company had 25,077,311 shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding, which excludes 2,726,036 shares held in treasury.

 

 

Table of Contents
   
Page
     
PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     
Item 1
Financial Statements
 3
     
Item 2
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
17
     
Item 3
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
28
     
Item 4T
Controls and Procedures
28
     
PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
29
     
Item 1A
Risk Factors
29
     
Item 2
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 34
     
Item 6
Exhibits
 35

 

 

Item 1 Financial Statements

ATRINSIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

   
As of
   
As of
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
(Unaudited)
       
ASSETS
           
Current Assets
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 4,249     $ 16,913  
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,302 and $4,295
    6,678       7,985  
Income tax receivable
    3,492       4,373  
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    878       2,643  
                 
Total Current Assets
    15,297       31,914  
                 
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,297 and $1,078
    3,172       3,553  
INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net of accumulated amortization of $3,640 and $8,605
    6,733       7,253  
INVESTMENTS, ADVANCES AND OTHER ASSETS
    1,446       1,878  
                 
TOTAL ASSETS
  $ 26,648     $ 44,598  
                 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
               
Current Liabilities
               
Accounts payable
  $ 4,264     $ 6,257  
Accrued expenses
    4,125       9,584  
Other current liabilities
    945       725  
                 
Total Current Liabilities
    9,334       16,566  
                 
DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY, NET
    1,735       1,697  
OTHER LONG TERM LIABILITIES
    906       988  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES
    11,975       19,251  
                 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (see note 12)
    -       -  
                 
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
               
Common stock - par value $0.01, 100,000,000 authorized, 23,621,078 and 23,583,581 shares issued at September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively; and, 20,895,042 and 20,842,263 shares outstanding at September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
    236       236  
Additional paid-in capital
    179,282       178,442  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    17       (20 )
Common stock, held in treasury, at cost, 2,726,036 and 2,741,318 shares at 2010 and 2009, respectively.
    (4,981 )     (4,992 )
Accumulated deficit
    (159,881 )     (148,319 )
                 
Total Stockholders' Equity
    14,673       25,347  
                 
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
  $ 26,648     $ 44,598  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 
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ATRINSIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Subscription
  $ 4,261     $ 4,889     $ 15,234     $ 15,099  
Transactional and Marketing Services
    4,916       9,984       16,956       40,330  
NET REVENUE
    9,177       14,873       32,190       55,429  
                                 
OPERATING EXPENSES
                               
Cost of media-third party
    4,589       9,911       17,943       35,859  
Product and distribution
    4,396       3,651       13,886       8,502  
Selling and marketing
    938       2,168       3,225       7,095  
General, administrative and other operating
    2,597       3,659       7,538       10,563  
Depreciation and amortization
    325       549       972       3,111  
      12,845       19,938       43,564       65,130  
                                 
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS
    (3,668 )     (5,065 )     (11,374 )     (9,701 )
                                 
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE
                               
Interest income and dividends
    (4 )     (5 )     (9 )     (67 )
Interest expense
    1       1       2       76  
Other (income) expense
    (77 )     -       (87 )     5  
      (80 )     (4 )     (94 )     14  
                                 
LOSS BEFORE TAXES AND EQUITY IN LOSS OF INVESTEE
    (3,588 )     (5,061 )     (11,280 )     (9,715 )
                                 
INCOME TAXES
    35       (2,736 )     208       (4,336 )
                                 
EQUITY IN (EARNINGS) LOSS OF INVESTEE, AFTER TAX
    13       61       74       113  
                                 
NET LOSS
    (3,636 )     (2,386 )     (11,562 )     (5,492 )
                                 
LESS: NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO NONCONTROLLING INTEREST,  AFTER TAX
    -               -       28  
                                 
NET LOSS ATTRIBUTABLE TO ATRINSIC, INC
  $ (3,636 )   $ (2,386 )   $ (11,562 )   $ (5,520 )
                                 
NET LOSS PER SHARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO ATRINSIC COMMON STOCKHOLDERS
                               
Basic
  $ (0.17 )   $ (0.12 )   $ (0.55 )   $ (0.27 )
Diluted
  $ (0.17 )   $ (0.12 )   $ (0.55 )   $ (0.27 )
                                 
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:
                               
Basic
    20,865,096       20,634,558       20,859,554       20,570,326  
Diluted
    20,865,096       20,634,558       20,859,554       20,570,326  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 
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ATRINSIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
           
Net loss
  $ (11,562 )   $ (5,492 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
               
Allowance for doubtful accounts
    (20 )     1,824  
Depreciation and amortization
    972       3,111  
Stock-based compensation expense
    860       1,080  
Stock for service
    -       16  
Deferred income taxes
    37       (4,640 )
Equity in loss of investee
    74       186  
Changes in operating assets and liabilities of business, net of acquisitions:
               
Accounts receivable
    1,310       4,812  
Prepaid income tax
    896       (11 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
    1,765       1,334  
Accounts payable
    (1,993 )     (237 )
Other, principally accrued expenses
    (5,306 )     (4,330 )
Net cash used in operating activities
    (12,967 )     (2,347 )
                 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities
               
Cash received from investee
    360       1,940  
Cash paid to investees
    -       (914 )
Proceeds from sales of marketable securities
    -       4,242  
Business combinations
    -       (1,740 )
Acquisition of loan receivable
    -       (480 )
Capital expenditures
    (41 )     (675 )
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities
    319       2,373  
                 
Cash Flows From Financing Activities
               
Repayments of notes payable
    -       (1,750 )
Liquidation of non-controlling interest
    -       (288 )
Return of investment - noncontrolling interest
    -       138  
Purchase of common stock held in treasury
    (9 )     (939 )
Net cash used in financing activities
    (9 )     (2,839 )
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    (7 )     (6 )
                 
Net (Decrease) Increase In Cash and Cash Equivalents
    (12,664 )     (2,819 )
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Year
    16,913       20,410  
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period
  $ 4,249     $ 17,591  
                 
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION
               
Cash paid for interest
  $ 2     $ 72  
Cash (refunded) paid for taxes
  $ (696 )   $ 284  
Non-Cash Transactions:
               
Extinguishment of loan receivable in connection with business combination
  $ -     $ 480  
Common stock issued for extinguishment of loan receivable in connection with business combination
  $ -     $ 146  
Common stock issued in connection with business combination
  $ -     $ 575  
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 
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ATRINSIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EQUITY
(UNAUDITED)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)

                           
Accumulated
             
               
Additional
         
Other
             
   
Comprehensive
   
Common Stock
   
Paid-In
   
(Accumulated
   
Comprehensive
   
Treasury Stock
   
Total
 
   
Loss
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Capital
   
Deficit)
   
(Loss)/Income
   
Shares
   
Amount
   
Equity
 
                                                       
Balance at January 1, 2010
    -       23,583,581     $ 236     $ 178,442     $ (148,319 )   $ (20 )     2,741,318     $ (4,992 )   $ 25,347  
Net loss
  $ (11,562 )     -       -       -       (11,562 )     -       -       -       (11,562 )
Foreign currency translation adjustment
    37       -       -       -       -       37       -       -       37  
Comprehensive loss
  $ (11,525 )     -       -       -       -       -       -       -       -  
                                                                         
Stock based compensation expense
    -       37,497       -       860       -       -       -       -       860  
Treasury stock issued in connection with employee compensation
                            (20 )                     (25,000 )     20       -  
Purchase of common stock, at cost
    -                               -       -       9,718       (9 )     (9 )
                                                                         
Balance at September 30, 2010
    -       23,621,078     $ 236     $ 179,282     $ (159,881 )   $ 17       2,726,036     $ (4,981 )   $ 14,673  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

 
6

 

ATRINSIC, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note 1 - Basis of Presentation

The accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, and the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 are unaudited, but in the opinion of management include all adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of financial position, the results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented and have been prepared in a manner consistent with the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2009. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of annual results. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2009, on Form 10-K filed on March 31, 2010.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses as well as the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Management continually evaluates its estimates and judgments including those related to allowances for doubtful accounts and the associated allowances for refunds and credits, useful lives of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, fair value of stock options granted, forfeiture rate of equity based compensation grants, probable losses associated with pre-acquisition contingencies, income taxes and other contingencies. Management bases its estimates and judgments on historical experience and other factors that are believed to be reasonable in the circumstances. Actual results may differ from those estimates. Macroeconomic conditions may directly, or indirectly through our business partners and vendors, impact our financial performance and available resources. Such conditions may, in turn, impact the aforementioned estimates and assumptions.

Funding and Management’s Plans

Since the Company’s inception, it has met its liquidity and capital expenditure needs primarily through the proceeds from sales of common stock through equity financing and private placement transactions. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company’s cash used in operating activities was $13.0 million, which consisted of a net loss of $11.6 million and a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses, net of prepaid expenses, of $5.5 million, which was offset by a $0.9 million decrease in prepaid taxes (of which $0.7 million was net cash refunded for taxes).  As a result, the Company’s cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2010, after adding back non-cash items, decreased $12.7 million to $4.2 million from $16.9 million at December 31, 2009.  Subsequent to the quarter ended September 30, 2010, the Company received $2.7 million of cash refunds from the IRS relating to its $3.5 million in taxes receivable on its balance sheet as of September 30, 2010.  The cash used in operating activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 included expenditures to realign the Company’s business to focus on its direct-to-consumer entertainment and subscription products, including the Kazaa digital music service.  The Company expects that the actions it has taken in the first nine months of the year will allow it to reduce expenditures in the fourth quarter and beyond.

Our working capital requirements are significant. In order to grow its business and meet the Company’s objective of becoming a leading direct-to-consumer music and entertainment subscription business built around the Kazaa brand, the Company will need to raise additional capital in the next twelve months.  The sale of additional equity securities or convertible debt could result in dilution to the Company’s stockholders. The Company currently has no arrangements with respect to additional financing and there is no guaranty funding will be available on favorable terms or at all. If the Company cannot obtain such funds, it will likely need to decrease the rate of growth of its business, including its efforts to become a leading direct-to-consumer music and entertainment subscription business built around the Kazaa brand.
Note 2  –  Investments and Advances

Investment in The Billing Resource, LLC

 On October 30, 2008, the Company acquired a 36% noncontrolling interest in The Billing Resource, LLC (“TBR”). TBR is an aggregator of fixed telephone line billing, providing alternative billing services to the Company and unrelated third parties. The Company contributed $2.2 million in cash on formation, of which, $1.9 million was later distributed by TBR to the Company. The Company also provided an additional $0.9 million of working capital advances in 2009 to support near term growth. As of September 30, 2010, the Company’s net investment in TBR totals $0.9 million and is included in Investments, Advances and Other Assets on the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet.
 
7

 
In addition, the Company has an operating agreement with TBR whereby TBR provides billing services to the Company and its customers. The agreement reflects transactions in the normal course of business and was negotiated on an arm’s length basis.

The Company records its investment in TBR under the equity method of accounting and as such presents its pro-rata share of the equity in earnings and losses of TBR within its quarterly and year end reported results. The Company recorded $74,000 and $113,000 as equity in loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Note 3  –  Kazaa

Kazaa is a subscription-based digital music service that gives users unlimited access to hundreds of thousands of CD-quality tracks. For a monthly fee users can download unlimited music files and play those files on up to three separate computers and download unlimited ringtones to a mobile phone. Unlike other music services that charge you every time a song is downloaded, Kazaa allows users to listen to and explore as much music as they want for one monthly fee, without having to pay for every track or album. Consumers are billed for this service on a monthly recurring basis through a credit card, landline, or mobile device. Royalties are paid to the rights’ holders for licenses to the music utilized by this digital service.  Atrinsic and Brilliant Digital Entertainment, Inc. (“Brilliant Digital”) jointly offer the Kazaa digital music service pursuant to a Marketing Services Agreement and a Master Services Agreement between the two companies, each entered into effective as of July 1, 2009.

Under the Marketing Services Agreement, Atrinsic is responsible for marketing, promotional, and advertising services in respect of the Kazaa business. Pursuant to the Master Services Agreement, Atrinsic provides services related to the operation of the Kazaa business, including billing and collection services and the operation of the Kazaa online storefront. Brilliant Digital is obligated to provide certain other services with respect to the Kazaa business, including licensing the intellectual property underlying the Kazaa business to Atrinsic, obtaining all licenses to the content offered as part of the Kazaa business and delivering that content to subscribers. As part of the agreements, Atrinsic is required to make advance payments and expenditures of up to $5.0 million in respect of certain expenses incurred in order to operate the Kazaa business. These advances and expenditures are recoverable on a dollar for dollar basis against revenues generated by the business.  Although the Company is not obligated to make expenditures in excess of $5.0 million, net of revenue and recouped funds, since inception on July 1, 2009, and through September 30, 2010, the Company has contributed $7.5 million net of revenue and recouped funds.

The Marketing Services Agreement and Master Services Agreement originally required Brilliant Digital to directly repay the first $2.5 million of these advances and expenditures which are not otherwise recovered from Kazaa generated revenues and this repayment obligation was to be secured under separate agreement. As of September 30, 2010, the Company has received the $2.5 million in repayments from Brilliant Digital.

Also in accordance with the original agreements, Atrinsic and Brilliant Digital were to share equally in the “Net Profit” generated by the Kazaa music subscription service after all of the Company’s costs and expenses have been recouped. For the nine months ending September 30, 2010, the Company has presented in its statement of operations, Kazaa revenue of $8.4 million and expenses incurred for the Kazaa music service of $12.1 million, offset by $0.6 million of reimbursements from Brilliant Digital.

On October 13, 2010, Atrinsic entered into amendments to its existing Marketing Services Agreement and Master Services Agreement with Brilliant Digital and entered into an agreement with Brilliant Digital to acquire all of the assets of Brilliant Digital that relate to its Kazaa subscription based music service business.

Among other things, the amendments extend the term of each of the Marketing Services Agreement and Master Services Agreement from three years to thirty years, provide Atrinsic with an exclusive license to the Kazaa trademark in connection with Atrinsic’s services under the agreements, and modify the Kazaa digital music service profit share payable to Atrinsic under the agreements from 50% to 80%. In addition, the amendments remove Brilliant Digital’s obligation to repay up to $2.5 million of advances and expenditures which are not otherwise recovered from Kazaa generated revenues and remove the $5.0 million cap on expenditures that Atrinsic is required to advance in relation to the operation of the Kazaa business. As consideration for entering into the amendments, Atrinsic issued 4,161,430 shares of its common stock to Brilliant Digital on October 13, 2010.

The amendments to the Marketing Services Agreement and Master Services Agreement are part of a broader transaction between Atrinsic and Brilliant Digital pursuant to which Atrinsic will acquire all of the assets of Brilliant Digital that relate to its Kazaa digital music service business in accordance with the terms of an asset purchase agreement entered into between the parties. The purchase price for the acquired assets includes the issuance by Atrinsic of an additional 7,125,665 shares of its common stock at the closing of the transactions contemplated by the asset purchase agreement as well as the assumption of certain liabilities related to the Kazaa business. The closing of the transactions contemplated by the asset purchase agreement will occur when all of the assets associated with the Kazaa business, including the Kazaa trademark and associated intellectual property, as well as Brilliant Digital’s content management, delivery and customer service platforms, and licenses with third parties, have been transferred to Atrinsic. The closing of the transactions contemplated by the asset purchase agreement is subject to approval by the stockholders of Atrinsic and Brilliant Digital, receipt of all necessary third party consents as well as other customary closing conditions. At the closing of the transactions contemplated by the asset purchase agreement, Atrinsic has agreed to appoint two individuals to be selected by Brilliant Digital to serve on Atrinsic’s Board of Directors. In addition, at the closing, each of the Marketing Services Agreement and Master Services Agreement will terminate.
 
8

 

Note 4  –  Fair Value Measurements

The carrying amounts of cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses are believed to approximate fair value due to the short-term maturity of these financial instruments.  The following table presents certain information for our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009:
   
Level I
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
   
Total
 
September 30, 2010:
                       
Assets:
                       
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 4,249     $ -     $ -     $ 4,249  
Liabilities:
                               
Put options
  $ -     $ 331     $ -     $ 331  
                                 
December 31, 2009:
                               
Assets:
                               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 16,913     $ -     $ -     $ 16,913  
Liabilities:
                               
Put options
  $ -     $ 267     $ -     $ 267  

At September 30, 2010, put option liabilities on our common stock issued in connection with the Shop-It acquisition are included in other current liabilities in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. These options had certain exercise requirements and as of September 30, 2010, the Company had received notices to exercise an aggregate of 216,481 shares underlying options with a share price of $0.47, and a strike price of $2.00, resulting in a liability of $331,000.  Since the exercise notice, and subsequent to quarter end, the Company has negotiated with the holders of the put options to cancel the put options and in exchange, the Company is to pay the put option holders cash, over a six- to nine-month period.

Note 5 -   Concentration of Business and Credit Risk

Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents and accounts receivable.

Atrinsic is currently utilizing several billing aggregators in order to provide content and billings to the end users of its subscription products. These billing aggregators act as a billing interface between Atrinsic and the carriers that ultimately bill Atrinsic’s end user subscribers. Some of these billing aggregators have not had long operating histories in the U.S. or operations with traditional business models. In particular mobile billing aggregators face a greater business risk in the marketplace, due to a constantly evolving business environment that stems from the infancy of the U.S. mobile content industry. In addition, the Company also has customers other than aggregators that represent significant amounts of revenues and accounts receivable.

 
9

 

The tables below represent the company’s concentration of business and credit risk by customers and aggregators.
   
For The Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Revenues
           
Aggregator A
    19 %     3 %
Customer A
    13 %     0 %
Aggregator B
    6 %     3 %
Other Customers & Aggregators
    62 %     94 %

   
As of
 
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
2010
   
2009
 
             
Accounts Receivable
           
Aggregator A
    44 %     12 %
Customer A
    15 %     0 %
Aggregator C
    6 %     9 %
Other Customers & Aggregators
    35 %     79 %

 
  NOTE 6 - Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consists of the following:

   
Useful Life
   
September 30,
   
December 31,
 
   
in   years
   
2010
   
2009
 
   
                 
Computers and software applications  
   
3
    $ 1,687     $ 1,874  
Leasehold improvements
   
10
      1,833       1,830  
Building
   
40
      785       766  
Furniture and fixtures  
   
7
      164       161  
Gross PP&E
            4,469       4,631  
Less: accumulated depreciation  
            (1,297 )     (1,078 )
Net PP&E
          $ 3,172     $ 3,553  

Depreciation expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 totaled $0.5 million and $0.6 million, respectively, and is recorded on a straight line basis.
10

Note 7 –Intangibles

The carrying amount and accumulated amortization of intangible assets as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively, are as follows:
   
Useful Life
   
Gross Book
   
Accumulated
   
   
Net Book
 
   
in   Years
   
Value
   
Amortization
   
Impairment
   
Value
 
                               
As of September 30, 2010
                             
                               
Indefinite Lived assets
                             
Tradenames
        $ 4,325     $ -     $ -       4,325  
Domain names
          1,298       -       -       1,298  
                                       
Amortized Intangible Assets
                                     
Acquired software technology
 
3 - 5
      2,516       1,873       -       643  
Domain names
 
3
      426       404       -       22  
Tradenames
 
9
      559       310       -       249  
Customer lists
 
3
      582       535       -       47  
Restrictive covenants
 
5
      667       518       -       149  
                                       
Total
        $ 10,373     $ 3,640     $ -       6,733  
                                       
As of December 31, 2009
                                     
                                       
Indefinite Lived assets
                                     
Tradenames
        $ 6,241     $ -     $ 1,916     $ 4,325  
Domain names
          1,370       -       72       1,298  
                                       
Amortized Intangible Assets
                                     
Acquired software technology
 
3 - 5
      3,136       1,589       620       927  
Domain names
 
3
      550       351       124       75  
Licensing
 
2
      580       580       -       -  
Tradenames
 
9
      1,320       281       761       278  
Customer lists
1.5 - 3
      1,618       1,377       87       154  
Subscriber database
1
      3,956        3,956       -        -   
Restrictive covenants
 
5
      1,228       471       561       196  
                                       
Total
        $ 19,999     $ 8,605     $ 4,141     $ 7,253  
Except in the case of a triggering event prior to the fourth quarter of 2010, the Company will perform its annual impairment test on other long lived identifiable intangible assets at the end of the fourth quarter.
 
11

 
Note 8 - Stock-based compensation

The fair value of share-based awards granted is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model or binominal option model, when appropriate. The key assumptions for these models are expected term, expected volatility, risk-free interest rate, dividend yield and strike price. Many of these assumptions are judgmental and the value of share-based awards is highly sensitive to changes in these assumptions.  The following table shows the assumptions used by the Company with respect to the determination of the fair value of share based awards granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2010:
   
2010
 
       
Strike Price
  $ 0.70 - $0.91  
Expected life
 
5.6 years
 
Risk free interest rate
    1.47% - 2.36 %
Volatility
    58% - 61 %
Fair market value per share
  $ 0.17 - $0.49  

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company granted 2,085,000 stock options and 311,155 restricted stock units. During nine months ended September 30, 2010, 41,666 restricted stock units vested and shares of common stock were issued or were reserved for issuance by the Company, net of 9,718 shares that were held back by the Company to cover employee taxes on the shares issued. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, 1,280,404 options were forfeited.

Stock based compensation expense included in product and distribution, selling and marketing and general and administrative and other operating for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, are as follows:
   
For the Three Months Ended
   
For the Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Product and distribution
  $ 23     $ 32     $ 44     $ 138  
Selling and marketing
    11       -       28       -  
General and administrative and other operating
    191       226       788       942  
                                 
Total
  $ 225     $ 258     $ 860     $ 1,080  

 
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Note 9 – Loss per Share Attributable to Atrinsic, Inc.

Basic loss per share attributable to Atrinsic, Inc. is computed by dividing reported loss by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Diluted loss per share includes the effect, if any, of the potential issuance of additional shares of common stock as a result of the exercise or conversion of dilutive securities, using the treasury stock method. Potential dilutive securities for the Company include outstanding stock options and warrants.

The computational components of basic and diluted loss per share are as follows:
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
EPS Denominator:
                       
Basic weighted average shares
    20,865,096       20,634,558       20,859,554       20,570,326  
Effect of dilutive securities
    -       -       -       -  
Diluted weighted average shares
    20,865,096       20,634,558       20,859,554       20,570,326  
                                 
EPS Numerator (effect on net income):
                               
Net loss attributable to Atrinsic, Inc.
  $ (3,636 )   $ (2,386 )   $ (11,562 )   $ (5,520 )
Effect of dilutive securities
    -       -       -       -  
Diluted loss attributable to Atrinsic, Inc.
  $ (3,636 )   $ (2,386 )   $ (11,562 )   $ (5,520 )
                                 
Net loss per common share:
                               
Basic weighted average loss attributable to Atrinsic, Inc.
  $ (0.17 )   $ (0.12 )   $ (0.55 )   $ (0.27 )
Effect of dilutive securities
    -       -       -       -  
Diluted weighted average loss attributable to Atrinsic, Inc.
  $ (0.17 )   $ (0.12 )   $ (0.55 )   $ (0.27 )

Common stock underlying outstanding options and convertible securities were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive when applied to the Company’s net loss per share.

Financial instruments, which may be exchanged for equity securities are excluded in periods in which they are anti-dilutive. The following shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share:
Anti-Dilutive EPS Disclosure
                       
   
Three Months Ended
   
Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30,
   
September 30,
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
2010
   
2009
 
                         
Options
    2,681,840       1,892,123       2,681,840       1,892,123  
Warrants
    314,443       314,443       314,443       314,443  
Restricted Shares
    4,173       61,969       34,173       61,969  
Restricted Stock Units
    544,489       750,000       544,489       750,000  

The per share exercise prices of the options were $0.48 - $8.52 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009. The per share exercise prices of the warrants were $3.44 - $5.50 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

Note 10  - Income Taxes

Income tax expense (benefit) before noncontrolling interest and equity in loss of investee for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, was $0.2 million and ($4.3) million, respectively and reflects an effective tax rate of (2%) and 45%, respectively. The Company has provided a valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets because it is more likely than not that such benefits will not be realized by the Company.
 
13

 
Subsequent to the quarter ended September 30, 2010, we received $2.7 million of cash refunds from the IRS relating to our $3.5 million in taxes receivable on our balance sheet as of September 30, 2010.

Uncertain Tax Positions

The Company is subject to taxation in the United States at Federal and State levels and is also subject to taxation in certain foreign jurisdictions. The Company’s tax years for 2007, 2008 and 2009 are subject to examination by the tax authorities.  In addition, the tax returns for certain acquired entities are also subject to examination. As of September 30, 2010, an estimated liability of $42,000 for uncertain tax positions in Canada is recorded in our Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Management believes that an adequate provision has been made for any adjustments that may result from tax examinations. The outcome of tax examinations, however, cannot be predicted with certainty. If any issues addressed in the Company’s tax audits are resolved in a manner not consistent with management’s expectations, the Company could be required to adjust its provision for income tax.  Although the timing or the resolution and/or closure of the audits is highly uncertain, the Company does not believe that its unrecognized tax benefit will materially change in the next twelve months.

Note 11- New Accounting Pronouncements

Adopted in 2010

In September 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)” (“SFAS No. 167”) which has been superseded by the FASB Codification and included in ASC 810 to require an enterprise to perform an analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity. This analysis identifies the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity as one with the power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the variable interest. These revisions to ASC 810 are effective as of January 1, 2010 and the adoption of these revisions to ASC 810 had no impact on our interim results of operations or financial position.

Not Yet Adopted

In October 2009, FASB approved for issuance Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) issue 08-01, Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables which has been superseded by the FASB codification and included in ASC 605-25. This statement provides principles for allocation of consideration among its multiple-elements, allowing more flexibility in identifying and accounting for separate deliverables under an arrangement. The EITF introduces an estimated selling price method for valuing the elements of a bundled arrangement if vendor-specific objective evidence or third-party evidence of selling price is not available, and significantly expands related disclosure requirements. This standard is effective on a prospective basis for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after September 15, 2010. Alternatively, adoption may be on a retrospective basis, and early application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this pronouncement.

Note 12 - Commitments and Contingencies

On March 10, 2010, Atrinsic received final approval of its settlement of the Class Action in the case known as Allen v. Atrinsic, Inc. f/k/a New Motion, Inc., formerly pending in Los Angeles County Superior Court.  This national settlement covers all of the Company’s mobile products, web sites and advertising practices through the date the Final Judgment was entered.  All costs of the settlement and defense were accrued for in 2008; therefore this settlement did not impact the Company’s results of operations in 2009 and is not expected to impact the Company’s results of operations in 2010.  In addition to administrative costs and refunds, during the second quarter of 2010, the Company paid the $1.0 million settlement for the Class Action.

Because the terms of the settlement applied nationally, all other consumer class action cases pending against the Company were dismissed without payment of any monies.

In the ordinary course of business, the Company is involved in various disputes, which are routine and incidental to the business and the industry in which it operates. In the opinion of management, the results of such disputes will not have a significant adverse effect on the financial position or the results of operations of the Company. Of the approximately $5.3 million in total accrued expenses as of September 30, 2010, $0.3 million is associated with the legal contingencies disclosed above.
 
14

 
Note 13 – Subsequent Events

On October 13, 2010, Atrinsic entered into amendments to its existing Marketing Services Agreement and Master Services Agreement with Brilliant Digital and entered into an agreement with Brilliant Digital and Altnet, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Brilliant Digital, to acquire all of the assets of Brilliant Digital that relate to its Kazaa subscription based music service business.

The Marketing Services Agreement and Master Services Agreement govern the operation of Brilliant Digital’s Kazaa subscription based music service business which is jointly operated by the Company and Brilliant Digital. Under the Marketing Services Agreement, Atrinsic is responsible for marketing, promotional, and advertising services in respect of the Kazaa business. Pursuant to the Master Services Agreement, Atrinsic provides services related to the operation of the Kazaa business, including billing and collection services and the operation of the Kazaa online storefront. Brilliant Digital is obligated to provide certain other services with respect to the Kazaa business, including licensing the intellectual property underlying the Kazaa business to Atrinsic, obtaining all licenses to the content offered as part of the Kazaa business and delivering that content to subscribers. As part of the agreements, Atrinsic is required to make advance payments and expenditures in respect of certain expenses incurred in order to operate the Kazaa business. These advances and expenditures are recoverable on a dollar for dollar basis against revenues generated by the business.

Among other things, the amendments extend the term of each of the Marketing Services Agreement and Master Services Agreement from three years to thirty years, provide Atrinsic with an exclusive license to the Kazaa trademark in connection with Atrinsic’s services under the agreements, and modify the Kazaa digital music service profit share payable to Atrinsic under the agreements from 50% to 80%. In addition, the amendments remove Brilliant Digital’s obligation to repay up to $2.5 million of advances and expenditures which are not otherwise recovered from Kazaa generated revenues and remove the cap on expenditures that Atrinsic is required to advance in relation to the operation of the Kazaa business. As consideration for entering into the amendments, Atrinsic issued 4,161,430 shares of its common stock to Brilliant Digital subsequent to September 30, 2010.

The amendments to the Marketing Services Agreement and Master Services Agreement are part of a broader transaction between Atrinsic and Brilliant Digital pursuant to which Atrinsic will acquire all of the assets of BDE that relate to its Kazaa digital music service business in accordance with the terms of an asset purchase agreement entered into between the parties on October 13, 2010. The purchase price for the acquired assets includes the issuance by Atrinsic of an additional 7,125,665 shares of its common stock at the closing of the transactions contemplated by the asset purchase agreement as well as the assumption of certain liabilities related to the Kazaa business. The closing of the transactions contemplated by the asset purchase agreement will occur when all of the assets associated with the Kazaa business, including the Kazaa trademark and associated intellectual property, as well as Brilliant Digital’s content management, delivery and customer service platforms, and licenses with third parties, have been transferred to Atrinsic. The closing of the transactions contemplated by the asset purchase agreement is subject to approval by the stockholders of Atrinsic and Brilliant Digital, receipt of all necessary third party consents as well as other customary closing conditions. At the closing of the transactions contemplated by the asset purchase agreement, Atrinsic has agreed to appoint two individuals to be selected by Brilliant Digital to serve on Atrinsic’s Board of Directors. In addition, at the closing, each of the Marketing Services Agreement and Master Services Agreement will terminate.

Subsequent to the quarter ended September 30, 2010, the Company received $2.7 million of cash refunds from the IRS relating to its $3.5 million in taxes receivable on the Company’s balance sheet as of September 30, 2010.

On November 1, 2010, the Company received notice of final award from an arbitration panel relating to a Statement of Claim in an arbitration action against a past aggregator for amounts the Company believes are outstanding under a past aggregation agreement, plus fees and other costs.  The terms of the award are confidential, but it is expected that the Company will reflect a gain on legal settlement of approximately $1.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.

In connection with the Company’s announcement to purchase the assets of the Kazaa digital music service, on November 10, 2010 the Company approved a restructuring plan to reorganize its existing operations and also the Kazaa operations that Brilliant Digital is engaged in to rapidly reduce certain expenditures and to improve product development and sales and customer acquisition outcomes for the Kazaa digital music service, and for Atrinsic in general.  The restructuring involves the consolidation of all of the Company’s activities in New York and includes the closure of the Company’s Canadian technology facility and the retrenchment of approximately 40 employees and the intended disposition or reallocation of fixed assets at that location.  In addition, all of Brilliant Digital’s Kazaa development, backend and marketing operations, currently located in Sydney, Australia and Los Angeles, California will transition functions and activities to personnel in New York.  Approximately 30 employees or contractors will be affected by this reduction and transfer of activities.  It is expected that the bulk of the consolidation process to the Company’s headquarters in New York will be completed by the end of the fourth quarter, and that the reorganization will be fully complete by the end of the first quarter. The Company expects to take a charge of approximately $1.1 million in the fourth quarter to account for costs associated with the restructuring’s exit and disposal activities that it has identified and can reasonably estimate. The restructuring costs include termination benefits for involuntarily terminated employees.  The restructuring charge also includes costs to consolidate and close facilities and to relocate certain employees.  The Company expects that the exit activities and restructuring will be completed by the end of the first quarter.

 
15

 
The Company has evaluated events subsequent to the balance sheet date through the date of its Form10-Q filing for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 and determined there have not been any material events that have occurred that would require adjustment to its unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
16

 
Item 2 Management’s Discussion and Analysis

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

This discussion summarizes the significant factors affecting our condensed consolidated operating results, financial condition and liquidity and cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009. Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties and are based upon judgments concerning various factors that are beyond our control. Actual results could differ materially from those projected in the “forward-looking statements” as a result of, among other things, the factors described under the “Cautionary Statements and Risk Factors” included elsewhere in this report. The information contained in this Form 10-Q, as at and for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, is intended to update the information contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 of Atrinsic, Inc. (“we,” “our,” “us”, the “Company,” or “Atrinsic”) and presumes that readers have access to, and will have read, the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis” and other information contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

A NOTE CONCERNING PRESENTATION

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains information concerning Atrinsic, Inc. as it pertains to the periods covered by this report - for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

Executive Overview

We are a marketer of direct-to-consumer subscription products and an Internet search marketing agency.  We sell entertainment subscription products direct to consumers which we market through the Internet. We also sell Internet marketing services to our corporate and advertising clients. We have developed our marketing platforms, web sites, proprietary content and licensed media to attract consumers, corporate partners and advertisers. We believe our network of web properties, proprietary content, marketing and billing platforms and technology allows us to cost-effectively acquire consumers for our subscription products and for our corporate partners and advertisers.

Direct-to-Consumer Subscriptions.   The Kazaa digital music service is our principal premium direct-to-consumer subscription product.  Although we have a broad offering of direct-to-consumer subscription products, Kazaa is central to our strategy to become a leading direct-to-consumer business and as a result is an important focus for management. Kazaa gives users unlimited access to hundreds of thousands of CD-quality tracks. For a monthly fee users can download unlimited music files and play those files on up to three separate computers and download unlimited ringtones to a mobile phone. Unlike other music services that charge you every time a song is downloaded, Kazaa allows users to listen to and explore as much music as they want for one monthly fee, without having to pay for every track or album. Consumers are billed for this service on a monthly recurring basis through a credit card, landline, or mobile device. Royalties are paid to the rights’ holders for licenses to the music utilized by this digital service.

Over an extended period of time, our ability to generate incremental consumer subscription revenues relies on our ability to increase the number of subscribers to our products as well as to improve the Life Time Value (“LTV”) of those subscribers.  In order to increase LTVs, we must improve billing efficiencies and, importantly, enhance the benefits our subscription products provide our customers.

Our strategy is to offer consumers a valuable product to access music or licensed content and to combine our direct response capability with an Internet-based customer acquisition model, which allows us to generate Internet traffic at what we believe a lower effective cost of acquisition.  The success of our strategy is dependent on acquiring qualified subscribers at a low effective cost, and improving the features and benefits of Kazaa and our other subscription products to increase subscriber LTVs.

Internet Search Marketing Agency: Atrinsic Interactive.   We are also an Internet search marketing agency, developing and managing search engine marketing campaigns for advertising clients.  Using proprietary technology, we build, manage and analyze the effectiveness of hundreds of thousands of Pay Per Click (“PPC”) keywords in real time across all of the major search engines. We provide our advertisers scalable search strategies, including organic and paid search campaigns, as well as managing our clients’ media mix to minimize cannibalization across marketing channels.  We also offer a display media platform, online and business intelligence and brand protection – to mount an optimal defense against online risks to an advertisers’ brand and to provide transparency of online marketing results and actionable online intelligence.  Our search marketing agency is also developing a full service affiliate network platform to facilitate partnerships between advertisers and publishers to drive website traffic and online sales for advertisers.
 
17

 

Overall, our business principally serves two sets of customers – advertisers and consumers. Advertisers use our products and services to enhance their online marketing programs (our Transactional & Marketing Services).  Consumers subscribe to our entertainment services to receive premium content on the Internet and on their mobile device (our Subscription Services). Each of these business activities – Transactional &Marketing Services and Subscriptions – may utilize the same originating media or derive a customer from the same source (e.g. search); the difference is reflected in the type of customer billing.  In the case of Transactional & Marketing Services, the billing is generally carried out on a service fee, percentage, or on a performance basis. For Subscriptions, the end user (the consumer) is able to access premium content and in return is charged a recurring monthly fee to a credit card, mobile phone, or land-line phone.

In managing our business, we internally develop marketing programs to match users with our service offerings or with those of our advertising clients. Our prospects for growth are dependent on our ability to acquire content in a cost effective manner. Our results may also be impacted by economic conditions and the relative strengths and weakness of the U.S. economy, trends in the online marketing and telecommunications industry, including client spending patterns and increases or decreases in our portfolio of service offerings, including the overall demand for such offerings, competitive and alternative programs and advertising mediums, and risks inherent in our customer database, including customer attrition.

The principal components of our operating expense are labor, media and media related expenses (including media content costs, lead validation and affiliate compensation), product or content development and royalties or licensing fees, marketing and promotional expense (including sales commissions, customer service and customer retention expense) and corporate general and administrative expense. We consider our third party media cost and a portion of our operating cost structure to be predominantly variable in nature over a short time horizon, and as a result, we are immediately able to make modifications to our cost structure to what we believe to be increases or decreases in revenue and market trends. This factor is important in monitoring our performance in periods when revenues are increasing or decreasing. In periods where revenues are increasing as a result of improved market conditions, we will make every effort to best utilize existing resources, but there can be no guarantee that we will be able to increase revenues without incurring additional marketing or operating costs and expenses. Conversely, in a period of declining market conditions we are able to reduce certain operating expenses to reduce operating losses. Furthermore, if we perceive a decline in market conditions to be temporary, we may choose to maintain or increase operating expenses for the future maximization of operating results.

Restructuring.   In connection with our announcement to purchase the assets of the Kazaa digital music service, we are undertaking a restructuring of our existing operations and of the Kazaa operations that Brilliant Digital is engaged in to rapidly reduce certain expenditures and to improve product development and sales and customer acquisition outcomes for the Kazaa digital music service, and for Atrinsic in general.

The restructuring involves the consolidation of all of our activities in New York and includes the closure of our Canadian technology facility and the retrenchment of approximately 40 employees and the intended disposition or reallocation of fixed assets at that location.  In addition, all of Brilliant Digital’s Kazaa development, backend and marketing operations, currently located in Sydney, Australia and Los Angeles, California will transition functions and activities to personnel in New York.  Approximately 30 employees or contractors will be affected by this reduction and transfer of activities.  It is expected that the bulk of the consolidation of operations to our headquarters in New York will be completed by the end of the fourth quarter, and that the reorganization will be fully complete by the end of the first quarter 2011.

The reorganization and consolidation of activities from three locations to a single location are expected to yield cost savings as a result of the reduction in headcount, the elimination of duplicative activities and combining or eliminating networking and other overhead costs.  Management believes that the effect of the restructuring will be to reduce its quarterly fixed cash operating expense (which we define as operating expense excluding Cost of Media – 3 rd party, royalties and licenses and depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation expense) by approximately 30% to 50%.

In addition, management believes that the reorganization will yield additional benefits as a result of consolidating the activities, management and personnel of product development, sales, marketing, subscriber acquisition, customer service billing and general and administrative activities under one roof.  Management also believes that it is important for Kazaa’s marketers, developers and other product personnel to maintain close geographic and cultural ties to Kazaa’s users and subscriber base.
We expect to take a charge of approximately $1.1 million in the fourth quarter to account for costs associated with the restructuring’s exit and disposal activities that we have identified and can reasonably estimate. The restructuring costs include termination benefits for involuntarily terminated employees.  The restructuring charge also includes costs to consolidate and close facilities and to relocate certain employees.  We expect that the exit activities and restructuring will be completed by the end of the first quarter.
 
18

 

Kazaa.  Atrinsic and Brilliant Digital Entertainment, Inc. (“Brilliant Digital”) jointly offer the Kazaa digital music service pursuant to a Marketing Services Agreement and a Master Services Agreement between the two companies.  Under the Marketing Services Agreement, we are responsible for marketing, promotional, and advertising services in respect of the Kazaa business. Pursuant to the Master Services Agreement, Atrinsic provides services related to the operation of the Kazaa business, including billing and collection services and the operation of the Kazaa online storefront. Brilliant Digital is obligated to provide certain other services with respect to the Kazaa business, including licensing the intellectual property underlying the Kazaa business to us, obtaining all licenses to the content offered as part of the Kazaa business and delivering that content to subscribers. As part of the agreements, we are required to make advance payments and expenditures of up to $5.0 million in respect of certain expenses incurred in order to operate the Kazaa business. These advances and expenditures are recoverable on a dollar for dollar basis against revenues generated by the business.  Although we are not obligated to make expenditures in excess of $5.0 million, net of revenue and recouped funds, since inception on July 1, 2009, and through September 30, 2010, we have contributed $7.5 million net of revenue and recouped funds.

The Marketing Services Agreement and Master Services Agreement originally required Brilliant Digital to directly repay the first $2.5 million of these advances and expenditures which are not otherwise recovered from Kazaa generated revenues and this repayment obligation was to be secured under separate agreement. As of September 30, 2010, we have received the $2.5 million in repayments from Brilliant Digital.

Also in accordance with the original agreements, Atrinsic and Brilliant Digital were to share equally in the “Net Profit” generated by the Kazaa music subscription service after all of our costs and expenses have been recouped. For the nine months ending September 30, 2010, we have presented in our statement of operations, Kazaa revenue of $8.4 million and expenses incurred for the Kazaa music service of $12.1 million, offset by $0.6 million of reimbursements from Brilliant Digital.

On October 13, 2010, we entered into amendments to our existing Marketing Services Agreement and Master Services Agreement with Brilliant Digital and entered into an agreement with Brilliant Digital to acquire all of the assets of Brilliant Digital that relate to its Kazaa subscription based music service business.

Among other things, the amendments extend the term of each of the Marketing Services Agreement and Master Services Agreement from three years to thirty years, provide us with an exclusive license to the Kazaa trademark in connection with our services under the agreements, and modify the Kazaa digital music service profit share payable to us under the agreements from 50% to 80%. In addition, the amendments remove Brilliant Digital’s obligation to repay up to $2.5 million of advances and expenditures which are not otherwise recovered from Kazaa generated revenues and remove the $5.0 million cap on expenditures that we are required to advance in relation to the operation of the Kazaa business. As consideration for entering into the amendments, we issued 4,161,430 shares of our common stock to Brilliant Digital subsequent to September 30, 2010.

The amendments to the Marketing Services Agreement and Master Services Agreement are part of a broader transaction between us and Brilliant Digital pursuant to which we will acquire all of the assets of Brilliant Digital that relate to its Kazaa digital music service business in accordance with the terms of an asset purchase agreement entered into between the parties.  The purchase price for the acquired assets includes the issuance by us of an additional 7,125,665 shares of our common stock at the closing of the transactions contemplated by the asset purchase agreement as well as the assumption of certain liabilities related to the Kazaa business. The closing of the transactions contemplated by the asset purchase agreement will occur when all of the assets associated with the Kazaa business, including the Kazaa trademark and associated intellectual property, as well as Brilliant Digital’s content management, delivery and customer service platforms, and licenses with third parties, have been transferred to us. The closing of the transactions contemplated by the asset purchase agreement is subject to approval by our stockholders and the stockholders of Brilliant Digital, receipt of all necessary third party consents as well as other customary closing conditions. At the closing of the transactions contemplated by the asset purchase agreement, we have agreed to appoint two individuals to be selected by Brilliant Digital to serve on our Board of Directors. In addition, at the closing, each of the Marketing Services Agreement and Master Services Agreement will terminate.

In connection with the purchase of the Kazaa assets, and prior to entering into the asset purchase agreement with Brilliant Digital, our Board of directors received a fairness opinion from an independent valuation firm, concluding that the proposed asset purchase was fair to our stockholders, from a financial point of view.

Business Strategy

To become a leading marketer of direct-to-consumer subscription products and to maintain our position as an Advertising Age Top 10 Search Agency, our strategy is to develop and deliver sought-after music and entertainment content to our subscribers and to develop a broad marketing and media distribution strategy, that allows us to cost-efficiently acquire consumers for our subscription-based services and to deliver marketing services to our advertising clients.  To generate long term value for our stockholders and profitably grow our revenue over time, we are incurring media, product and distribution and marketing expenses to acquire customers today so that we can build a substantial subscriber base to generate subscription revenue in the future.  We also must continually develop best in class service offerings for our clients in the area of search related services.

 
19

 
Publish High-Quality, Branded Subscription Content, Like Kazaa.   As a direct to consumer Internet marketing company, we are focused on partnering with companies, and developing proprietary sources of content, for our direct to consumer subscription products.  The proposed purchase of the Kazaa assets is the direct result of our strategy to develop and own valuable proprietary content to attract users and deliver high quality content to our subscribers. We believe that publishing a diversified portfolio of the highest quality content, like the Kazaa digital music service, is important to our business. We intend to leverage and expand on the sought-after content from the Kazaa digital music service and to devote significant resources to the development of high-quality and innovative products and services.

Develop and Expand Marketing Distribution.   We employ a multifaceted approach to generating subscribers and Internet traffic for ourselves and for our advertisers:  (i) We use search engine optimization and search marketing efforts which attract users to our products and web sites and to our advertisers’ web sites on a PPC basis; (ii) we employ mobile marketing activities, generally in the form of display advertising on mobile devices (iii) users may navigate directly to our web properties and service offerings, and  (iv) users respond to our email marketing.  Our strategy is to improve the cost effectiveness of our customer acquisition by improving the attractiveness of our existing web properties and offerings and by employing innovative marketing techniques, to source and expand traffic.  We expect that by expanding our online distribution capability, we will be able to lower our customer acquisition costs, relative to the LTV of our subscribers.

Search Agency Online Marketing Services.   In order to be competitive in the area of online marketing services, particularly in search related marketing services, we must continue to improve our technology capabilities.  Our product offering will not remain competitive if we don’t offer our clients leading edge technology and strategies designed to drive their online sales efforts.  Adding more services revenue will involve prospecting a targeted set of clients who are natural consumers of our services.  Our initiatives include delivering an integrated suite of services, which include search engine marketing services, search engine optimization, display advertising, and affiliate marketing.  Our ability to integrate brand protection and competitive intelligence is a source of differentiation and growth for our existing and new client base.

Lead Validation and Billing Efficiency .   We are pursuing a number of value enhancing strategies to increase the conversion of leads into subscribers of our direct-to-consumer subscription services.  By validating the submission of online information through automated data lookups and validation, we are able to increase the value of a lead or visitor to our web sites.  Such lead value enhancement techniques assist us in improving the conversion of users into subscribers to our direct-to-consumer subscription services and the corresponding increases in LTV that result from more highly qualified subscribers.

Multiple Billing Platforms.   As a direct result of being proficient in multiple billing platforms, we are able to create customer acquisition efficiencies because we can acquire direct subscribers and generate third-party leads.  This provides us with a competitive advantage over traditional direct response marketers, who may only offer a single billing modality – credit cards.  We have agreements through multiple aggregators who have access to U.S. carriers – both wireless and landline – for billing.  These relationships include our 36% interest in TBR, which is an aggregator of fixed-line billing.  In addition to agreements with aggregators, we also have an agreement in place with AT&T Wireless to distribute and bill for our services directly to subscribers on their network.  As a result of our multiple billing protocols, we are able to expand our potential customer base, attracting consumers who may prefer a different billing mechanism than is traditionally offered.  Many of our new product initiatives leverage and expand upon our alternative billing capabilities.
 
20

 
Results of Operations for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009.

Revenues presented by type of activity are as follows for the three month periods ending September 30, 2010 and 2009:

   
For the Three Months Ended
   
Change
   
Change
 
   
September 30,
   
Inc.(Dec.)
   
Inc.(Dec.)
 
    
2010
   
2009
   
$
   
%
 
                           
Subscription
  $ 4,261     $ 4,889     $ (628 )     -13 %
Transactional and Marketing Services
  $ 4,916     $ 9,984     $ (5,068 )     -51 %
                                 
Total Revenues
  $ 9,177     $ 14,873     $ (5,696 )     -38 %

Revenues decreased approximately $5.7 million or 38%, to $9.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $14.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.

Subscription revenue decreased approximately $0.6 million or 13%, to $4.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $4.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. Subscription revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2010 includes an increase in Kazaa revenue of $1.6 million, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009, without which our subscription revenue would have decreased by 45%, or $2.2 million year-over-year.  The decrease in subscription revenue was the result of a lower number of subscribers for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the year ago period.  As of September 30, 2010, the Company had approximately 217,000 subscribers.  The negative impact on subscription revenue as a result of a smaller subscriber base was offset by an increase in average revenue per user (“ARPU”) which increased 31% to approximately $5.74 in the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the year ago period.  This positive ARPU effect was due to the higher retail price point of the Kazaa digital music subscription service and improvements in billing efficiency.  During the third quarter of 2010, across all of its subscription products, the Company added approximately 52,000 new subscribers, more than half of which were new Kazaa subscribers.  As of September 30, 2010, the Company estimates that it has approximately 64,000 Kazaa subscribers.

Transactional and Marketing services revenue is derived from our online marketing activities, which consist of targeted and measurable online campaigns and programs for marketing partners, and corporate advertisers or their agencies, to generate qualified customer leads, online responses and sales transactions , or increased brand recognition. Transactional and Marketing services revenue decreased by approximately $5.1 million or 51% to $4.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $10.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease in revenue was attributable to the loss of accounts and a reduction in discretionary advertising expenditures by our clients, as well as a result of a restructuring of our Transactional and Marketing Services activities. During the three months ended September 30, 2010, the Company substantially completed its actions to eliminate any unprofitable or marginally profitable lead generation campaigns and marketing programs from its Transactional and Marketing Services offerings.  As a result of this restructuring of our Transactional and Marketing Services revenue generating activities, the bulk of our Transactional and Marketing Services revenue now consists of revenue generated from our search agency business, together with higher yielding marketing campaigns.
 
21

 

Operating Expenses

   
For the Three Months  Ended
   
Change
   
Change
 
   
September 30,
   
Inc.(Dec.)
   
Inc.(Dec.)
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
$
   
%
 
Operating Expenses  
                       
Cost of Media – 3 rd party
  $ 4,589     $ 9,911       (5,322 )     -54 %
Product and distribution
    4,396       3,651       745       20 %
Selling and marketing
    938       2,168       (1,230 )     -57 %
General, administrative and other operating
    2,597       3,659       (1,062 )     -29 %
Depreciation and Amortization
    325       549       (224 )     -41 %
                                 
Total Operating Expenses
  $ 12,845     $ 19,938     $ (7,093 )     -36 %
Cost of Media

Cost of Media – 3 rd party decreased by $5.3 million or 54% to $4.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $9.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. Cost of Media – 3 rd party includes media purchased for monetization of both Transactional and Marketing Services and Subscription revenues. The decrease in Cost of Media – 3 rd party was due to two primary factors.  First, approximately 80% of the decrease in Cost of Media – 3 rd party on a year-over-year basis was due to the decline in Transactional and Marketing Services related revenue which resulted in a corresponding reduction in purchased media.  Second, the remaining 20% of the decrease in Cost of Media – 3 rd party on a year-over-year basis was due to significantly lower subscriber acquisition rates, and in turn, a lower number of subscribers acquired.

The rate of subscriber acquisitions is based on a number of factors, not least of which is subscriber acquisition cost, or “SAC.” During the quarter ended September 30, 2010, management moderated and limited the rate of subscriber acquisitions in response to (i) the need to preserve cash, (ii) changes in its alternative billing processes, and (iii) anticipation of improvements and enhancements to the Kazaa digital music service.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2010, the Company added approximately 52,000 new subscribers, over half of which were Kazaa subscribers. This level of customer acquisition was not sufficient to replace the Company’s existing subscriber base during the quarter: “Net Adds,” which represents the number of subscribers acquired, net of subscriber attrition, was a negative 66,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2010.  Cost of media for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 includes a decrease of Kazaa-related Cost of Media – 3 rd party of $0.5 million compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2009. We expect to recoup these Kazaa cost of media expenses from the future cash flows of the Kazaa music service, although there can be no assurance in this regard.

During the third quarter of 2010, the Company estimates that its SAC per subscriber was approximately $17.64, which reflects a 21% increase in SAC from the year ago period. SAC is dependent on a number of factors, including prevailing market conditions, the type of media, and the ability of the Company to convert leads into subscribers. The Company expects that SAC will fluctuate from period to period based on all of these factors. Management will continue to monitor SAC closely to ensure that the Company acquires customers in a cost effective manner.

Product and Distribution

Product and distribution expense increased by $0.7 million or 20% to $4.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $3.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. Product and distribution expenses are costs necessary to provide licensed content and development and support for our products, websites and technology platforms – which drive both our Transactional and Marketing Services and Subscription-based revenues. Compared to the year ago period, in the third quarter of 2010, we experienced higher product and distribution expenses of $1.4 million as a result of costs incurred to further develop the Kazaa music service and greater royalty and license expense payable to content owners, also associated with Kazaa. We expect to recoup these Kazaa product and distribution expenses from the future cash flows of the Kazaa music service, although there can be no assurance in this regard. Included in product and distribution cost is stock compensation expense of $23,000 and $32,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

  Selling and Marketing

Selling and marketing expense decreased $1.2 million or 57% to $0.9 million in the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $2.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. This decrease in selling and marketing expense was primarily attributable to the Company completing its efforts during the third quarter of 2010 to eliminate unprofitable or marginally profitable lead generation activities and marketing programs from its product and services offerings.  The Company’s bad debt expense, a component of selling and marketing, decreased by approximately $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease in selling and marketing was also due to a decrease in salaries and employee related costs. Included in selling and marketing cost is stock compensation expense of $11,000 and $0 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 respectively.

 
22

 
General, Administrative and Other Operating

General and administrative expenses decreased by $1.1 million, or 29%, to $2.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $3.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease is primarily due to a reduction in workforce, and associated savings, a decrease in professional fees and other efforts to reduce the Company’s overall levels of overhead.  The rate of decrease in general, administrative and other operating expense, on a year-over-year basis, is slower than for some other components of operating expenses because of the fixed nature of general and administrative costs, relative to the more variable based costs inherent in other categories of operating expense.  Included in general and administrative expense is stock compensation expense of $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $0.2 million to $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $0.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 principally as a result of the decrease in amortization expense due to the full amortization of a major intangible asset in 2009.

Loss from Operations

Operating loss decreased by $1.4 million or 28% to $3.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to an operating loss of $5.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The Company’s revenue decreased by 38%, with a corresponding decrease in operating expenses of 36%. While Cost of Media – 3 rd party, is typically variable with respect to revenue, other operating expenses, in particular, General and administrative expenses tend to consist of a higher proportion of fixed costs.

Interest Income and Dividends

Interest and dividend income decreased $1,000 to $4,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $5,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The reduction is immaterial.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $1,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

Other (Income) Expense

Other income increased to $77,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2010.  There was no other income in the three months ended September 30, 2009.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense (benefit), before noncontrolling interest and equity in loss of investee, for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was $35,000 and ($2.7) million respectively and reflects an effective tax rate of (1%) and 54% respectively. The Company had a loss before taxes of $3.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $5.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The Company has provided a valuation allowance against its tax benefits because it is more likely than not that such benefits will not be utilized by the Company.

Subsequent to the quarter ending September 30, 2010, the Company received $2.7 million of cash refunds from the IRS relating to its $3.5 million in taxes receivable on its balance sheet as of September 30, 2010.

Equity in Loss (Earnings) of Investee

Equity in losses of investee was $13,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $61,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The equity represents the Company’s 36% interest in The Billing Resource, LLC (TBR). The company acquired its interest in TBR in the 4 th   Quarter 2008.

 
23

 
Net Loss Attributable to Atrinsic, Inc

Net loss increased by $1.2 million to $3.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to a net loss of $2.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. This increase in loss resulted from the factors described above.

Results of Operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Revenues presented by type of activity are as follows for the nine month periods ending September 30, 2010 and 2009:
   
For the Nine Months Ended
   
Change
   
Change
 
   
September 30,
   
Inc.(Dec.)
   
Inc.(Dec.)
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
$
   
 
                         
Subscription
  $ 15,234     $ 15,099     $ 135       1 %
Transactional and Marketing Services
  $ 16,956     $ 40,330     $ (23,374 )     -58 %
                                 
Total Revenues
  $ 32,190     $ 55,429     $ (23,239 )     -42 %

Revenues decreased approximately $23.2 million or 42%, to $32.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $55.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Subscription revenue increased by approximately $0.1 million, or 1%, to $15.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $15.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Subscription revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 includes an increase in Kazaa revenue of $7.3 million compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009, without which, our subscription revenue would have decreased by 47%, or $7.2 million year-over-year.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 subscription revenue increased as a result of a 58% increase in ARPU, over the year ago period.  This increase in subscription revenue was offset by a lower number of subscribers for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the year ago period.  As of September 30, 2010, the Company had approximately 217,000 subscribers.  The increase in ARPU was the result of the higher retail price point of the Kazaa digital music subscription service and improvements in billing efficiency.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, across all of its subscription products, the Company added approximately 324,000 new subscribers, more than half of which were new Kazaa subscribers.  As of September 30, 2010, the Company estimates that it has approximately 64,000 Kazaa subscribers.

Transactional and Marketing services revenue is derived from our online marketing activities, which consist of targeted and measurable online campaigns and programs for marketing partners, corporate advertisers, or their agencies, to generate qualified customer leads, online responses and sales transactions , or increased brand recognition. Transactional and Marketing services revenue decreased by approximately $23.4 million or 58% to $17.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $40.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease in revenue was attributable to the loss of accounts and a reduction in discretionary advertising expenditures by our clients, as well as a result of a restructuring of our Transactional and Marketing Services activities.  Beginning in the second quarter, and substantially completed by the end of the third quarter, the Company took proactive steps to eliminate any unprofitable or marginally profitable lead generation campaigns and marketing programs from its Transactional and Marketing Services offerings.  These steps had the effect of reducing lead generation sales volume, contributing to the decrease in revenue compared to the year ago period.  As a result of this restructuring, the bulk of our Transactional and Marketing Services revenue now consists of revenue generated from our search agency business, together with higher yielding marketing campaigns.
 
24

 
Operating Expenses

   
For the Nine Months Ended
   
Change
   
Change
 
   
September 30,
   
Inc.(Dec.)
   
Inc.(Dec.)
 
   
2010
   
2009
   
$
   
%  
 
Operating Expenses  
                       
Cost of Media – 3 rd party
  $ 17,943     $ 35,859       (17,916 )     -50 %
Product and distribution
    13,886       8,502       5,384       63 %
Selling and marketing
    3,225       7,095       (3,870 )     -55 %
General, administrative and other operating
    7,538       10,563       (3,025 )     -29 %
Depreciation and Amortization
    972       3,111       (2,139 )     -69 %
                                 
Total Operating Expenses
  $ 43,564     $ 65,130     $ (21,566 )     -33 %
Cost of Media

Cost of Media – 3 rd party decreased by $17.9 million or 50% to $17.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $35.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Cost of Media – 3 rd party includes media purchased for monetization of both Transactional and Marketing Services and Subscription revenues. The decrease in Cost of Media – 3 rd party was due to two primary factors.  First, approximately 75% of the decrease in Cost of Media – 3 rd party on a year-over-year basis was due to the decline in Transactional and Marketing Services related revenue which resulted in a corresponding reduction in purchased media.  Second, the remaining 25% of the decrease in Cost of Media – 3 rd party on a year-over-year basis was due to lower subscriber acquisition rates, and in turn, a lower number of subscribers acquired – although not as pronounced as during the third quarter of 2010 only.

The rate of subscriber acquisitions is based on a number of factors, not least of which is subscriber acquisition cost, or “SAC.” Midway through the second quarter, 2010 and for all of the third quarter, 2010, management moderated and limited the rate of subscriber acquisitions in response to (i) the need to preserve cash, (ii) changes in its alternative billing processes, and (iii) anticipation of improvements and enhancements to the Kazaa digital music service.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company added approximately 324,000 new subscribers, over half of which were Kazaa subscribers. This level of customer acquisition was not sufficient to replace the Company’s existing subscriber base during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.  “Net Adds,” which represents the number of subscribers acquired, net of subscriber attrition, was a negative 121,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.  Cost of media for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, includes an increase in Kazaa-related Cost of Media – 3 rd party of $1.8 million relative to third quarter 2009. We expect to recoup these Kazaa cost of media expenses from the future cash flows of the Kazaa music service, although there can be no assurance in this regard.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company estimates that its SAC was approximately $14.02 per subscriber, which reflects a 6% decrease in SAC from the year ago period. SAC is dependent on a number of factors, including prevailing market conditions, the type of media, and the ability of the Company to convert leads into subscribers. The Company expects that SAC will fluctuate from period to period based on all of these factors. Management will continue to monitor SAC closely to ensure that the Company acquires customers in a cost effective manner.

Product and Distribution

Product and distribution expense increased by $5.4 million or 63% to $13.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $8.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Product and distribution expenses are costs necessary to provide licensed content and development and support for our products, websites and technology platforms – which drive both our Transactional and Marketing Services and Subscription based revenues. Compared to the year ago period, in the first half of 2010, we experienced higher product and distribution expense of $7.7 million as a result of costs incurred to further develop the Kazaa music service and greater royalty and license expense payable to music labels, also associated with Kazaa. We expect to recoup these Kazaa product and distribution expenses from the future cash flows of the Kazaa music service, although there can be no assurance in this regard. The Kazaa costs are offset by a decrease in non Kazaa related labor and professional fees. Included in product and distribution cost is stock compensation expense of $44,000 and $138,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.
 
25

 
Selling and Marketing

Selling and marketing expense decreased $3.9 million or 55% to $3.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $7.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. This decrease in selling and marketing expense was primarily attributable to the Company’s efforts to eliminate unprofitable or marginally profitable lead generation activities and marketing programs from its product and services offerings in 2010.  The Company’s bad debt expense, a component of selling and marketing, decreased by approximately $1.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease in selling and marketing was also due to a decrease in salaries and employee related costs. Included in selling and marketing cost is stock compensation expense of $28,000 and $0 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 respectively.

General, Administrative and Other Operating

General and administrative expenses decreased by $3.0 million to $7.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $10.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease is primarily due to a reduction in workforce, and associated savings, a decrease in professional fees and other efforts to reduce the Company’s overall levels of overhead.  The rate of decrease in general, administrative and other operating expense, on a year-over-year basis, is slower than for some other components of operating expenses because of fixed nature of general and administrative costs, relative to the more variable based costs inherent in other categories of operating expense. Included in general and administrative expense is stock compensation expense of $0.8 million and $0.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 respectively.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $2.1 million to $1.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $3.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 principally as a result of the decrease in amortization expense due to the full amortization of a major intangible in 2009.

Loss from Operations

Operating loss increased by $1.7 million or 17% to $11.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to an operating loss of $9.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The Company’s revenue decreased by 42% with a corresponding decrease in operating expenses of 33%. While Cost of Media – 3 rd party, is typically variable with respect to revenue, other operating expenses, in particular, General and administrative expenses tend to consist of a higher proportion of fixed costs.

Interest Income and Dividends

Interest and dividend income decreased $58,000 to $9,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to $67,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $2,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $76,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Other (Income) Expense

Other income increased to $87,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010.  There were $5,000 in other expenses in the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Income Taxes

Income tax expense (benefit), before noncontrolling interest and equity in loss of investee, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was $0.2 million and ($4.3) million respectively and reflects an effective tax rate of (2%) and 45% respectively. The Company had a loss before taxes of $11.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to loss before taxes of $9.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The Company has provided for a full valuation allowance against its tax benefits because it is more likely than not that such benefits will not be utilized by the Company.

Subsequent to the quarter ending September 30, 2010, the Company received $2.7 million of cash refunds from the IRS relating to its $3.5 million in taxes receivable on its balance sheet as of September 30, 2010.  The Company is currently undergoing an examination of its 2007 Federal Income Tax Return with the Internal Revenue Service regarding the utilization of Net Operating Loss carrybacks from prior periods.  As of the date of this filing, the Company can not reasonably ascertain the expected completion date of this examination or the expected results of this examination and how much of these carrybacks will be allowed to be utilized.
 
26

 

Equity in Loss of Investee

Equity in loss of investee was $74,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $113,000 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The Equity represents the Company’s 36% interest in The Billing Resource, LLC (TBR). The company acquired its interest in TBR in the 4 th   Quarter 2008.

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest for the six months ended June 30, 2009 was $28,000. This related to our investment in MECC which was dissolved in June 2009.

Net Loss Attributable to Atrinsic, Inc.

Net loss increased by $6.1 million to $11.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to a net loss of $5.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. This increase in loss resulted from the factors described above.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2010, we had cash and cash equivalents of approximately $4.2 million and working capital of approximately $6.0 million. We used approximately $13.0 million in cash for operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 which consisted of a net loss of $11.6 million, a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses, net of prepaid expenses, of approximately $5.5 million, which was offset by approximately $0.9 million decrease in prepaid taxes (of which $0.7 million was net of cash refunded for taxes). As a result, our cash and cash equivalents at September 30, 2010, after adding back non cash items, decreased $12.7 million to approximately $4.2 million from approximately $16.9 million at December 31, 2009. Subsequent to the quarter ending September 30, 2010, the Company received $2.7 million of cash refunds from the IRS relating to its $3.5 million in taxes receivable on its balance sheet as of September 30, 2010.  The cash used in operating activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 included expenditures to realign, focus on and serve the Company’s direct-to-consumer entertainment and subscription products, including the Kazaa digital music service.  We expect that the actions we have taken in the first nine months of the year will allow us to reduce expenditures in the fourth quarter and beyond.

Our working capital requirements are significant. In order to grow our business and meet our objective of becoming a leading direct-to-consumer music and entertainment subscription business built around the Kazaa brand, we will need to raise additional capital in the next twelve months.  The sale of additional equity securities or convertible debt could result in dilution to our stockholders. We currently have no arrangements with respect to additional financing and there is no guaranty funding will be available on favorable terms or at all. If we cannot obtain such funds, we will likely need to decrease the rate of growth of our business, including our efforts to become a leading direct-to-customer music and entertainment business built around the Kazaa brand.
New Accounting Pronouncements

Adopted in 2010

In September 2009, the FASB issued SFAS No. 167, “Amendments to FASB Interpretation No. 46(R)” (“SFAS No. 167”) which has been superseded by the FASB Codification and included in ASC 810 to require an enterprise to perform an analysis to determine whether the enterprise’s variable interest or interests give it a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity. This analysis identifies the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity as one with the power to direct the activities of a variable interest entity that most significantly impact the entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of the entity that could potentially be significant to the variable interest. These revisions to ASC 810 are effective as of January 1, 2010 and the adoption of these revisions to ASC 810 had no impact on our interim results of operations or financial position.

 Not Yet Adopted

In October 2009, FASB approved for issuance Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) issue 08-01, Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables which has been superseded by the FASB codification and included in ASC 605-25. This statement provides principles for allocation of consideration among its multiple-elements, allowing more flexibility in identifying and accounting for separate deliverables under an arrangement. The EITF introduces an estimated selling price method for valuing the elements of a bundled arrangement if vendor-specific objective evidence or third-party evidence of selling price is not available, and significantly expands related disclosure requirements. This standard is effective on a prospective basis for revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after September 15, 2010. Alternatively, adoption may be on a retrospective basis, and early application is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this pronouncement.

 
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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Not required.

Item 4T. Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Members of the our management, including our President, Andrew Stollman and Chief Financial Officer, Thomas Plotts, have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures, as defined by paragraph (e) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15, as of September 30, 2010, the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon that evaluation, Messrs. Stollman and Plotts concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of September 30, 2010.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting or in other factors identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 that occurred during the third quarter ended September 30, 2010 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 
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  PART II       - OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risk factors and all other information contained in this report before purchasing our common stock. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties that management is unaware of, or that it currently deems immaterial, also may become important factors that affect us. If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition, cash flows and/or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and stockholders are at risk of losing some or all of the money invested in purchasing our common stock.

If the purchase of the Kazaa assets does not close, the price of our common stock could decline and our future business and operations could be harmed.

The Company's and Brilliant Digital’s obligations to complete the purchase and sale of assets is subject to conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the parties. If the transaction is not completed for any reason, we may be subject to a number of material risks, including:
 
·
The decline in the price of our common stock;
 
·
Costs related to the transaction, such as financial advisory, legal, accounting, proxy solicitation and printing fees, must be paid even if the transaction is not completed;
 
·
Matters relating to the transaction (including the negotiation of terms and integration planning) required a substantial commitment of time and resources by our management, which could otherwise have been devoted to other opportunities that may have been beneficial to us;
 
·
We may not be able to realize the expected benefits of the acquisition;
 
·
If the transaction is not completed, we may not be able to operate as effectively under the existing Marketing Services Agreement and Master Services Agreement.

We have experienced a significant reduction in revenue and have been using cash to fund operations. If we cannot halt this revenue decline and reduce expenditures we may have to cease operations.

The Company has experienced a significant revenue decline and degradation in business prospects over the past two years, and as a result the Company has used a significant amount of cash to fund its operations.  The Company’s cash and cash equivalents were $4.2 million as of September 30, 2010, which is a $12.7 million decline from the $16.9 million as of December 31, 2009.  If we are unsuccessful at stabilizing or slowing the decline in our revenue, and our associated use of cash to fund operations, or if we cannot raise cash through financing alternatives, then we may need to significantly curtail or cease operations.

Our working capital requirements are significant and if we want to grow our business we will need to raise cash in the future.

Our working capital requirements are significant.  In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we used approximately $12.7 million in cash.  In order to grow our business and meet our objective of becoming a leading direct-to-consumer music and entertainment subscription business, built around the Kazaa brand, we will need to raise additional capital in the next twelve months.  The sale of additional equity securities or convertible debt could result in dilution to our stockholders. We currently have no arrangements with respect to additional financing and there is no guaranty funding will be available on favorable terms or at all. If we cannot obtain such funds, we will likely need to decrease the rate of growth of our business, including our efforts to become a leading direct-to-consumer music and entertainment subscription business built around the Kazaa brand.

A key focus of management is to develop, grow and expand the Kazaa digital music business.  The digital music industry is highly competitive and as a result of the industry’s characteristics, subjects market participants to significant working capital requirements, as is evidenced by the numerous companies in the industry that have experienced significant losses.  If we are to attract and retain talented employees, acquire subscribers and enhance and improve the Kazaa digital music service, which we will need to do if we are to be successful, we will have significant capital requirements.

 
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We face risks in implementing our restructuring plan.
In connection with our announcement to purchase the assets of the Kazaa digital music service, we are undertaking a restructuring of our existing operations.  Although the reorganization and consolidation of activities are expected to yield cost savings as a result of the reduction in headcount, the elimination of duplicative activities and combining or eliminating networking and other overhead costs, there can be no assurance that we will achieve the forecasted savings.  Our remaining business may also suffer as a result of the restructuring due to the loss of employees, who have been involuntarily terminated, or employees who leave voluntarily.  We may also face defections from customers who are unsure of our viability and may also receive less favorable terms than we currently receive from our vendors, as a result of their perception of the restructuring.  We expect to take a charge of approximately $1.1 million in the fourth quarter to account for costs associated with the restructuring’s exit and disposal activities that we have identified and can reasonably estimate. The restructuring costs include termination benefits for involuntarily terminated employees.  The restructuring charge also includes costs to consolidate and close facilities and to relocate certain employees.  There can be no assurance that the actual costs associated with the restructuring will not differ from estimated charge, or that the restructuring will be completed effectively, with limited negative impact on our business.

As part of our restructuring plan and in connection with the integration of activities with the Kazaa business, we will be migrating many of our technological assets.  We face risks with such migrations, including disruptions in service.  Also, the costs and time associated with any migration could be substantial, requiring the reengineering of computer systems and telecommunications infrastructure.  We may also face interruptions in the services we provide across all of our business activities. In addition to service interruptions arising from third-party service providers, unanticipated problems affecting our proprietary internal computer and telecommunications systems have the potential to occur in future fiscal periods, and could cause interruptions in the delivery of services, causing a loss of revenue and related gross margins, and the potential loss of customers, all of which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

The anticipated benefits of the acquisition of the Kazaa business may not be realized fully or at all or may take longer to realize than expected.

The integration of Atrinsic and the business of Kazaa faces challenges as a result of the differing geographical locations of the two business. In the event the transactions contemplated by the asset purchase agreement close, the combined company will be required to devote significant management attention and resources to integrating the Kazaa business and the assets into our operations.  Delays in this process could adversely affect our business, financial results, financial condition and stock price. Even if we are able to integrate the business operations successfully, there can be no assurance that this integration will result in the realization of the full benefits of synergies, cost savings, innovation and operational efficiencies that may be possible from this integration or that these benefits will be achieved within a reasonable period of time.

  We face intense competition in the sale of our subscription services and transactional and marketing services.

In our subscription service business, which includes the Kazaa music service, and our transactional and marketing services business, we compete primarily on the basis of marketing acquisition cost, brand awareness, consumer penetration and carrier and distribution depth and breadth.  We face numerous competitors, many of whom are much larger than us, who have greater financial and operating resources than we do and who have been operating in our target markets longer than we have.  In the future, likely competitors may include other major media companies, traditional video game publishers, telephone carriers, content aggregators, wireless software providers and other pure-play direct response marketers publishing content and media, and Internet affiliate and network companies.

If we are not as successful as our competitors in executing on our strategy in targeting new markets and increasing customer penetration in existing markets our sales could decline, our margins could be negatively impacted and we could lose market share, any and all of which could materially harm our business prospects, and potentially have a negative impact on our share price.

We may continue to be impacted by the affects of the current weakness of the United States economy.

Our performance is subject to United States economic conditions and its impact on levels of consumer spending.   Consumer spending recently has deteriorated significantly as a result of the current economic situation in the United States and may remain depressed, or be subject to further deterioration for the foreseeable future.  Purchases of our subscription based services as well as our transactional and marketing services have declined in periods of recession or uncertainty regarding future economic prospects, as disposable income declines. Many factors affect the level of spending for our products and services, including, among others: prevailing economic conditions, levels of employment, salaries and wage rates, interest rates, the availability of consumer credit, taxation and consumer confidence in future economic conditions. During periods of recession or economic uncertainty, we may not be able to maintain or increase our sales to existing customers or make sales to new customers on a profitable basis. As a result, our operating results may be adversely and materially affected by downward trends in the United States or global economy, including the current downturn in the United States which has impacted our business, and which may continue to affect our results of operations.

 
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Our business relies on wireless and landline carriers and aggregators to facilitate billing and collections in connection with our subscription products sold and services rendered. The loss of, or a material change in, any of these relationships could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

We generate a significant portion of our revenues from the sale of our products and services directly to consumers which are billed through aggregators and telephone carriers. We expect that we will continue to bill a significant portion of our revenues through a limited number of aggregators for the foreseeable future, although these aggregators may vary from period to period. In a risk diversification and cost saving effort, we have established a direct billing relationship with a carrier that mitigates a portion of our revenue generation risk as it relates to aggregator dependence; conversely this risk is replaced with internal performance risk regarding our ability to successfully process billable messages directly with the carrier.  Moreover, in an effort to further mitigate such operational risk, we obtained a 36% equity stake in a landline telephone aggregator, TBR, to give us more visibility in the billing and collection process associated with subscription services billed to customers of local exchange carriers.

Our aggregator agreements are not exclusive and generally have a limited term of less than three years with automatic renewal provisions upon expiration in the majority of the agreements. These agreements set out the terms of our relationships with the aggregator and carriers, and provide that either party to the contract can terminate such agreement prior to its expiration, and in some instances, terminate without cause.

Many other factors exist that are outside of our control and could impair our carrier relationships, including:
 
·
a carrier’s decision to suspend delivery of our products and services to its customer base;
 
·
a carrier’s decision to offer its own competing subscription applications, products and services;
 
·
a carrier’s decision to offer similar subscription applications, products and services to its subscribers for price points less than our offered price points, or for free;
 
·
a network encountering technical problems that disrupt the delivery of, or billing for, our applications;
 
·
the potential for concentrations of credit risk embedded in the amounts receivable from the aggregator should any one, or group if aggregators encounter financial difficulties, directly or indirectly, as a result of the current period of slower economic growth affecting the United States; or
 
·
a carrier’s decision to increase the fees it charges to market and distribute our applications, thereby increasing its own revenue and decreasing our share of revenue.

If one or more carriers decide to suspend the offering of our subscription services, we may be unable to replace such revenue source with an acceptable alternative, within an acceptable time frame. This could cause us to lose the capability to derive revenue from those subscribers, which could materially harm our business, operating results and financial condition.

We depend on third-party Internet and telecommunications providers, over whom we have no control, for the conduct of our subscription business and transactional and marketing business. Interruptions in or the discontinuance of the services provided by one of the providers could have an adverse effect on revenue; and securing alternate sources of these services could significantly increase expenses and cause significant interruption to both our transactional and marketing and subscription businesses.

We depend heavily on several third-party providers of Internet and related telecommunication services, including hosting and co-location facilities, in conducting our business. These companies may not continue to provide services to us without disruptions in service, at the current cost or at all. The costs and time associated with any transition to a new service provider would be substantial, requiring the reengineering of computer systems and telecommunications infrastructure to accommodate a new service provider to allow for a rapid replacement and return to normal network operations. In addition, failure of the Internet and related telecommunications providers to provide the data communications capacity in the time frame required by us could cause interruptions in the services we provide across all of our business activities. In addition to service interruptions arising from third-party service providers, unanticipated problems affecting our proprietary internal computer and telecommunications systems have the potential to occur in future fiscal periods, and could cause interruptions in the delivery of services, causing a loss of revenue and related gross margins, and the potential loss of customers, all of which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We depend on partners and third-parties for our content and for the delivery of services underlying our subscriptions.

We depend heavily on partners and third parties to provide us with licensed content including for the Kazaa music service.  We are reliant on such companies to maintain licenses with content providers, including music labels, so that we can deliver services that we are contractually obligated to deliver to our customers. These companies may not continue to provide services to us without disruption, or maintain licenses with the owners of the delivered content.  In addition to licensed content, we are also reliant on partners and third parties to provide services and to perform other activities which allow us to bill our subscribers. The costs associated with any transition to a new service or content provider would be substantial, even if a similar partner is available. Failure of our partners or other third parties to provide content or deliver services has the potential to cause interruptions in the delivery of services, causing a loss of revenue and related gross margins, and the potential loss of customers, all of which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

 
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We may not fully recoup the expenses and other costs we have expended with respect to the Kazaa music service.

On March 26, 2010, we entered into three-year Marketing Services Agreement and Master Services Agreement with Brilliant Digital, effective July 1, 2009, relating to the operation and marketing of the Kazaa digital music service.  Under the agreements, we are responsible for marketing, promotional, and advertising services.  In exchange for these marketing services, the Company is entitled to full recoupment for all pre-approved costs and expenses incurred in connection with the provision of the services plus all other agreed budgeted amounts. On October 13, 2010, Atrinsic entered into amendments to its existing Marketing Services Agreement and Master Services Agreement with Brilliant Digital.  The amendments extend the term of each of the Marketing Services Agreement and Master Services Agreement from three years to thirty years, provide Atrinsic with an exclusive license to the Kazaa trademark in connection with Atrinsic’s services under the agreements, and modify the Kazaa digital music service profit share payable to Atrinsic under the agreements from 50% to 80%. In addition, the amendments remove Brilliant Digital’s obligation to repay up to $2.5 million of advances and expenditures which are not otherwise recovered from Kazaa generated revenues and remove the cap on expenditures that Atrinsic is required to advance in relation to the operation of the Kazaa business.

As of September 30, 2010, the Company has received the $2.5 million in repayments from Brilliant digital and we are dependent on the future net cash flow of the Kazaa music service to fully recoup the approximately $7.5 million of advances and expenditures we have made, net of cash received or reimbursed, as of September 30, 2010. There can be no assurance that the future net cash flows from the Kazaa music service will be sufficient to allow us to fully recoup our expenditures, which could materially and adversely affect our financial condition.

If advertising on the internet loses its appeal, our revenue could decline.

Companies doing business on the Internet must compete with traditional advertising media, including television, radio, cable and print, for a share of advertisers' total marketing budgets. Potential customers may be reluctant to devote a significant portion of their marketing budget to Internet advertising or digital marketing if they perceive the Internet to be trending towards a limited or ineffective marketing medium. Any shift in marketing budgets away from Internet advertising spending or digital marketing solutions, could directly, materially and adversely affect our transactional and marketing business, as well as our subscription business, with both having a materially negative impact on our results of operations and financial condition.

All of our revenue is generated, directly or indirectly, through the Internet in part by delivering advertisements that generate leads, impressions, click-throughs, and other actions to our advertiser customers' websites as well as confirmation and management of mobile services.  This business model may not continue to be effective in the future for various reasons, including the following:
 
·
click and conversion rates may decline as the number of advertisements and ad formats on the Web increases, making it less likely that a user will click on our advertisement;
 
·
the installation of "filter" software programs by web users which prevent advertisements from appearing on their computer screens or in their email boxes may reduce click-throughs;
 
·
companies may be reluctant or slow to adopt online advertising that replaces, limits or competes with their existing direct marketing efforts;
 
·
companies may prefer other forms of Internet advertising we do not offer, including certain forms of search engine placements;
 
·
companies may reject or discontinue the use of certain forms of online promotions that may conflict with their brand objectives;
 
·  
companies may not utilize online advertising due to concerns of "click-fraud", particularly related to search engine placements;
 
·
regulatory actions may negatively impact certain business practices that we currently rely on to generate a portion of our revenue and profitability; and
 
·
perceived lead quality.

If the number of companies who purchase online advertising from us does not grow, we will experience difficulty in attracting publishers, and our revenue will decline.
 
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We recorded intangible assets in connection with our acquisition of ShopIt.com which may result in significant future charges against earnings if the intangible assets become impaired.

In accounting for the acquisition of the assets of Shopit.com, we allocated and recorded a large portion of the purchase price paid in exchange for the assets to intangible assets. Under ASC 350 Intangibles – Goodwill and Other, formerly SFAS No.142, and related authoritative guidance, we must assess, at least annually and potentially more frequently, whether the value of such intangible assets has been impaired. Any reduction or impairment of the value of intangible assets, such as the charge that was taken in the fourth quarter of 2009, could materially adversely affect Atrinsic’s results of operations in future periods.

If we are unable to successfully keep pace with the rapid technological changes that may occur in the wireless communication, internet and e-commerce arenas, we could lose customers or advertising inventory and our revenue and results of operations could decline.

To remain competitive, we must continually monitor, enhance and improve the responsiveness, functionality and features of our services, offered both in our subscription and transactional and marketing activities. Wireless network and mobile phone technologies, the Internet and the online commerce industry in general are characterized by rapid innovation and technological change, changes in user and customer requirements and preferences, frequent new product and service introductions requiring new technologies to facilitate commercial delivery, as well as the emergence of new industry standards and practices that could render existing technologies, systems, business methods and/or our products and services obsolete or unmarketable in future fiscal periods. Our success in our business activities will depend, in part, on our ability to license or internally develop leading technologies that address the increasingly sophisticated and varied needs of prospective consumers, and respond to technological advances and emerging industry standards and practices on a timely-cost-effective basis. Website and other proprietary technology development entails significant technical and business risks, including the significant cost and time to complete development, the successful implementation of the application once developed, and time period for which the application will be useful prior to obsolescence. There can be no assurance that we will use internally developed or acquired new technologies effectively or adapt existing websites and operational systems to customer requirements or emerging industry standards. If we are unable, for technical, legal, financial or other reasons, to adopt and implement new technologies on a timely basis in response to changing market conditions or customer requirements, our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.

We could be subject to legal claims, government enforcement actions, and be held accountable for our or our customers' failure to comply with federal, state and foreign laws, regulations or policies, all of which could materially harm our business.

As a direct-to-consumer marketing company, we are subject to a variety of federal, state and local laws and regulations designed to protect consumers that govern certain of aspects of our business.  For instance, recent growing public concern regarding privacy and the collection, distribution and use of information about Internet users has led to increased federal, state and foreign scrutiny and legislative and regulatory activity concerning data collection and use practices. Any failure by us to comply with applicable federal, state and foreign laws and the requirements of regulatory authorities may result in, among other things, indemnification liability to our customers and the advertising agencies we work with, administrative enforcement actions and fines, class action lawsuits, cease and desist orders, and civil and criminal liability.

Our customers are also subject to various federal and state laws concerning the collection and use of information regarding individuals. These laws include the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act, the Federal CAN-SPAM Act of 2003, as well as other laws that govern the collection and use of consumer credit information. We cannot assure you that our customers are currently in compliance, or will remain in compliance, with these laws and their own privacy policies. We may be held liable if our customers use our technologies in a manner that is not in compliance with these laws or their own stated privacy policies, which would have an adverse impact on our operations.

We no longer meet the minimum bid price requirement for continued listing on the NASDAQ Global Market and face delisting.

On September 23, 2010, we were notified by the NASDAQ Staff that we do not comply with the minimum $1.00 bid price requirement set forth in Listing Rule 5450(a)(1).  As a result, our common stock was subject to delisting from The NASDAQ Stock Market unless we requested a hearing before a NASDAQ Listing Qualifications Panel (the “Panel”).  We requested a hearing and presented our plan to regain compliance at such hearing before the Panel on August 5, 2010.

Under NASDAQ’s Listing Rules, the Panel decided to continue the Company’s listing pursuant to an exception to the Rule for a maximum of 180 calendar days from the date of the Staff’s notification or through December 20, 2010.

In order to maintain our Nasdaq listing, at our annual meeting, scheduled for December 1, 2010, our Stockholders will vote to approve a reverse stock split at a ratio of up to one for four.  If the reverse split proposal is approved, and our Board of Directors intends to effect a reverse stock split in a ratio to be determined by December 6, 2010, in order that that our stock will trade above $1.00 for at least 10-days, prior to December 20, 2010.  There can be no assurance that our stockholders will approve the proposal to effect a reverse stock split, and further there can be no assurance that if the reverse stock split is deemed effective by December 6, 2010, that our stock price will trade above the minimum bid price of $1.00 per share for 10-days prior to December 20, 2010.

 
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We do not intend to pay dividends on our equity securities.

It is our current and long-term intention that we will use all cash flows to fund operations and maintain excess cash requirements for the possibility of potential future acquisitions.   Future dividend declarations, if any, will result from our reversal of our current intentions, and would depend on our performance, the level of our then current and retained earnings and other pertinent factors relating to our financial position. Prior dividend declarations should not be considered as an indication for the potential for any future dividend declarations.

  System failures could significantly disrupt our operations, which could cause us to lose customers or content.

Our success depends on the continuing and uninterrupted performance of our systems. Sustained or repeated system failures that interrupt our ability to provide services to customers, including failures affecting our ability to deliver advertisements quickly and accurately and to process visitors' responses to advertisements, and, validate mobile subscriptions, would reduce significantly the attractiveness of our solutions to advertisers and Web publishers. Our business, results of operations and financial condition could also be materially and adversely affected by any systems damage or failure that impacts data integrity or interrupts or delays our operations. Our computer systems are vulnerable to damage from a variety of sources, including telecommunications failures, power outages, malicious or accidental human acts, and natural disasters. We operate a data center in Canada and have a co-location agreement with a service provider to support our operations. Therefore, any of the above factors affecting any of these areas could substantially harm our business. Moreover, despite network security measures, our servers are potentially vulnerable to physical or electronic break-ins, computer viruses and similar disruptive problems in part because we cannot control the maintenance and operation of our third-party data centers. Despite the precautions taken, unanticipated problems affecting our systems could cause interruptions in the delivery of our solutions in the future and our ability to provide a record of past transactions. Our data centers and systems incorporate varying degrees of redundancy. All data centers and systems may not automatically switch over to their redundant counterpart. Our insurance policies may not adequately compensate us for any losses that may occur due to any failures in our systems.

Decreased effectiveness of equity compensation could adversely affect our ability to attract and retain employees and harm our business.

We have historically used stock options as a key component of our employee compensation program in order to align employees' interests with the interests of our stockholders, encourage employee retention, and provide competitive compensation packages. Volatility or lack of positive performance in our stock price may adversely affect our ability to retain key employees, many of whom have been granted stock options, or to attract additional highly-qualified personnel. As of September 30, 2010, many of our outstanding employee stock options have exercise prices in excess of the stock price on that date. To the extent this continues to occur, our ability to retain employees may be adversely affected.

We have been named as a defendant in litigation, either directly, or indirectly, with the outcome of such litigation being unpredictable; a materially adverse decision in any such matter could have a material adverse affect on our financial position and results of operations.

As described under the heading “Commitments and Contingencies,” or "Legal Proceedings" in our periodic reports filed pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, from time to time we are named as a defendant in litigation matters. The defense of these claims may divert financial and management resources that would otherwise be used to benefit our operations. Although we believe that we have meritorious defenses to the claims made in each and all of the litigation matters to which we have been a named party, whether directly or indirectly, and intend to contest each lawsuit vigorously, no assurances can be given that the results of these matters will be favorable to us. A materially adverse resolution of any of these lawsuits could have a material adverse affect on our financial position and results of operations.

  We may incur liabilities to tax authorities in excess of amounts that have been accrued which may adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.

As more fully described in Note 10," Income Taxes" to our condensed consolidated financial statements contained in this Quarterly report on Form 10-Q, we have recorded significant income tax receivables. In November 2009 Congress passed the Worker Homeownership & Business Assistance Act of 2009 which allows businesses to carryback operating losses for up to 5 years. As a result of this Act the company is able to carryback some of its 2009 taxable loss, resulting in an estimated refund of approximately $2.7 million. Also included in income taxes receivable is a carryback of $0.7 million which was submitted to the IRS subsequent to the 2009 Act. We may be challenged. Our tax receivable may be subject to audit by the IRS.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

On September 28, 2010, the Company issued to Barretto Pacific Corporation (“Barretto”) 30,000 shares of common stock. The shares were issued in partial consideration for consulting services rendered by Barretto to us. In issuing the shares of our common stock without registration under the Securities Act, we relied upon one or more of the exemptions from registration contained in Sections 4(2) of the Securities Act, as the shares were issued to an accredited investor, without a view to distribution, and were not issued through any general solicitation or advertisement.
 
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Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
 
Description of Exhibit
     
10.1
 
Asset Purchase Agreement by and Between Atrinsic, Inc. and Brilliant Digital Entertainment, Inc. and Altnet, Inc., dated October 13, 2010.
10.2
 
Amendment No. 1 to Marketing Services Agreement entered into by and between Atrinsic, Inc. and Brilliant Digital Entertainment, Inc., dated October 13, 2010.
10.3
 
Amendment No. 1 to Master Services Agreement entered into by and between Atrinsic, Inc. and Brilliant Digital Entertainment, Inc., dated October 13, 2010.
31.1
 
Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
 
Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Securities Exchange Act Rules 13a-14(a) and 15d-14(a) as adopted pursuant to section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1
 
Certification of Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 
Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, there unto duly authorized.

Dated: November 15, 2010
BY:
 /s/ Andrew Stollman
 
BY:
/s/ Thomas Plotts
Andrew Stollman
 
Thomas Plotts
President
 
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Executive Officer) 
 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 
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