THEGLOBE COM INC - Quarter Report: 2005 September (Form 10-Q)
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
FORM
10-Q
x QUARTERLY
REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D)
OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For
the
quarterly period ended September 30, 2005
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 NO. 0-25053
THEGLOBE.COM,
INC.
|
(EXACT
NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
|
STATE
OF DELAWARE
|
14-1782422
|
|
(STATE
OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF
|
(I.R.S.
EMPLOYER
|
|
INCORPORATION
OR ORGANIZATION)
|
IDENTIFICATION
NO.)
|
110
EAST BROWARD BOULEVARD, SUITE 1400
FORT
LAUDERDALE, FL. 33301
|
(ADDRESS
OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
|
(954)
769 - 5900
|
(Registrant's
telephone number, including area
code)
|
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required
to be
filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required
to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements
for
the past 90 days. x Yes o
No
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined
in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule
12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant's Common Stock, $.001 par value (the "Common Stock") as of November 11, 2005 was 173,252,690.
THEGLOBE.COM,
INC.
FORM
10-Q
3
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4
|
|
5
|
|
6
|
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19
|
|
50
|
|
51
|
|
52
|
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52
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52
|
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52
|
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52
|
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52
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53
|
THEGLOBE.COM,
INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SEPTEMBER
30,
|
DECEMBER
31,
|
||||||
2005
|
2004
|
||||||
(UNAUDITED)
|
|||||||
ASSETS
|
|||||||
Current
Assets:
|
|||||||
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
$
|
2,047,615
|
$
|
6,828,200
|
|||
Marketable
securities
|
–
|
42,736
|
|||||
Accounts
receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of approximately
$269,000
and $274,000, respectively
|
534,377
|
1,120,310
|
|||||
Inventory,
less reserves of approximately $361,000 and $1,333,000,
respectively
|
187,385
|
589,579
|
|||||
Prepaid
expenses
|
845,495
|
941,316
|
|||||
Assets
of discontinued operations
|
23,241,377
|
21,665,429
|
|||||
Other
current assets
|
274,380
|
359,619
|
|||||
Total
current assets
|
27,130,629
|
31,547,189
|
|||||
Property
and equipment, net
|
1,817,899
|
2,442,613
|
|||||
Intangible
assets
|
517,011
|
–
|
|||||
Other
assets
|
40,000
|
27,363
|
|||||
Total
assets
|
$
|
29,505,539
|
$
|
34,017,165
|
|||
LIABILITIES
AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
|
|||||||
Current
Liabilities:
|
|||||||
Accounts
payable
|
$
|
2,799,881
|
$
|
1,064,048
|
|||
Accrued
expenses and other current liabilities
|
2,344,183
|
1,720,001
|
|||||
Deferred
revenue
|
113,002
|
163,715
|
|||||
Notes
payable and current portion of long-term debt
|
4,509,040
|
1,277,405
|
|||||
Liabilities
of discontinued operations
|
8,457,598 | 8,042,995 | |||||
Total
current liabilities
|
18,223,704
|
12,268,164
|
|||||
Long-term
debt
|
–
|
26,997
|
|||||
Other
long-term liabilities
|
–
|
204,616
|
|||||
Total
liabilities
|
18,223,704
|
12,499,777
|
|||||
Stockholders'
Equity:
|
|||||||
Common
stock, $0.001 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 200,138,436
and
174,315,678 shares issued at September 30, 2005 and December 31,
2004,
respectively
|
200,139
|
174,316
|
|||||
Additional
paid-in capital
|
287,818,627
|
282,289,404
|
|||||
Treasury
stock, 699,281 common shares, at cost
|
(371,458
|
)
|
(371,458
|
)
|
|||
Accumulated
deficit
|
(276,365,473
|
)
|
(260,574,874
|
)
|
|||
Total
stockholders' equity
|
11,281,835
|
21,517,388
|
|||||
Total
liabilities and stockholders' equity
|
$
|
29,505,539
|
$
|
34,017,165
|
|||
See
notes
to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
THEGLOBE.COM,
INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Three
Months Ended
|
Nine
Months Ended
|
||||||||||||
September
30,
|
September
30,
|
||||||||||||
2005
|
2004
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||||
(UNAUDITED)
|
(UNAUDITED)
|
||||||||||||
Net
Revenue
|
$
|
409,258
|
$
|
877,727
|
$
|
1,689,418
|
$
|
2,559,954
|
|||||
Operating
Expenses:
|
|||||||||||||
Cost
of revenue
|
2,213,574
|
2,573,956
|
6,379,145
|
6,067,382
|
|||||||||
Sales
and marketing
|
481,573
|
2,053,439
|
1,722,058
|
4,775,670
|
|||||||||
Product
development
|
356,409
|
360,478
|
1,010,666
|
726,662
|
|||||||||
General
and administrative
|
2,321,295
|
1,765,743
|
5,734,072
|
5,412,143
|
|||||||||
Depreciation
|
299,225
|
381,593
|
882,396
|
873,943
|
|||||||||
Intangible
asset amortization
|
28,200
|
25,901
|
47,000
|
68,244
|
|||||||||
|
5,700,276
|
7,161,110
|
15,775,337
|
17,924,044
|
|||||||||
Operating
Loss from Continuing Operations
|
(5,291,018
|
)
|
(6,283,383
|
)
|
(14,085,919
|
)
|
(15,364,090
|
)
|
|||||
Other
Income (Expense), net:
|
|||||||||||||
Interest
expense, net
|
(1,102,234
|
)
|
(9,463
|
)
|
(4,156,840
|
)
|
(811,586
|
)
|
|||||
Other
income (expense), net
|
(3,157
|
)
|
260,904
|
(281,994
|
)
|
126,075
|
|||||||
(1,105,391
|
)
|
251,441
|
(4,438,834
|
)
|
(685,511
|
)
|
|||||||
Loss
from Continuing Operations Before Income Tax
|
(6,396,409
|
)
|
(6,031,942
|
)
|
(18,524,753
|
)
|
(16,049,601
|
)
|
|||||
Income
Tax Benefit
|
(388,547
|
)
|
(61,860
|
)
|
(1,038,497
|
)
|
(61,860
|
)
|
|||||
Loss
from Continuing Operations
|
(6,007,862
|
)
|
(5,970,082
|
)
|
(17,486,256
|
)
|
(15,987,741
|
)
|
|||||
Discontinued
Operations:
|
|||||||||||||
Income
from operations
|
1,009,026
|
162,286
|
2,734,154
|
162,286
|
|||||||||
Tax
provision
|
372,971
|
61,860
|
1,038,497
|
61,860
|
|||||||||
Income
from Discontinued Operations
|
636,055
|
100,426
|
1,695,657
|
100,426
|
|||||||||
Net
Loss
|
$
|
(5,371,807
|
)
|
$
|
(5,869,656
|
)
|
$
|
(15,790,599
|
)
|
$
|
(15,887,315
|
)
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Earnings
(Loss) Per Share - Basic and Diluted:
|
|||||||||||||
Continuing
Operations
|
$
|
(0.03
|
)
|
$
|
(0.04
|
)
|
$
|
(0.10
|
)
|
$
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
Discontinued
Operations
|
$
|
–
|
$
|
–
|
$
|
0.01
|
$
|
–
|
|||||
Net
Loss
|
$
|
(0.03
|
)
|
$
|
(0.04
|
)
|
$
|
(0.09
|
)
|
$
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
Weighted
Average Common Shares Outstanding
|
192,210,000
|
143,514,000
|
182,577,000
|
116,546,000
|
|||||||||
See
notes
to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
THEGLOBE.COM,
INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Nine
Months Ended
September
30,
|
|||||||
2005
|
2004
|
||||||
(UNAUDITED)
|
|||||||
Cash
Flows from Operating Activities:
|
|||||||
Net
loss
|
$
|
(15,790,599
|
)
|
$
|
(15,887,315
|
)
|
|
(Income)from
discontinued operations
|
(1,695,657
|
)
|
(100,426
|
)
|
|||
Net
loss from continuing operations
|
(17,486,256
|
)
|
(15,987,741
|
)
|
|||
Adjustments
to reconcile net loss from continuing operations to net cash and
cash
equivalents used in operating activities:
|
|||||||
Depreciation
and amortization
|
929,396
|
942,187
|
|||||
Provision
for uncollectible accounts receivable
|
100,000
|
160,509
|
|||||
Provision
for excess and obsolete inventory
|
95,054
|
629,515
|
|||||
Non-cash
interest expense
|
4,000,000
|
735,416
|
|||||
Reserve
against amounts loaned to Tralliance prior to acquisition
|
280,000
|
365,250
|
|||||
Contingent
commissions expenses
|
(130,366
|
)
|
103,667
|
||||
Employee
stock compensation
|
48,987
|
177,638
|
|||||
Compensation
related to non-employee stock options
|
143,351
|
398,687
|
|||||
Non-cash
settlements of liabilities
|
–
|
(352,455
|
)
|
||||
Other,
net
|
2,246
|
14,274
|
|||||
Changes
in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:
|
|||||||
Accounts
receivable, net
|
485,933
|
(147,873
|
)
|
||||
Inventory,
net
|
307,140
|
(1,114,954
|
)
|
||||
Prepaid
and other current assets
|
213,859
|
(282,796
|
)
|
||||
Accounts
payable
|
1,659,943
|
(444,274
|
)
|
||||
Accrued
expenses and other current liabilities
|
395,062
|
746,553
|
|||||
Deferred
revenue
|
(50,713
|
)
|
1,580
|
||||
Net
cash and cash equivalents used in operating activities of continuing
operations
|
(9,006,364
|
)
|
(14,054,817
|
)
|
|||
Net
cash and cash equivalents provided by / (used in) operating activities
of
discontinued operations
|
1,152,597
|
(905,974
|
)
|
||||
Net
cash and cash equivalents used in operating activities
|
(7,853,767
|
)
|
(14,960,791
|
)
|
|||
Cash
Flows from Investing Activities:
|
|||||||
Proceeds
from sales and maturities of marketable securities
|
42,736
|
225,070
|
|||||
Purchases
of property and equipment
|
(257,682
|
)
|
(2,236,694
|
)
|
|||
Net
cash acquired in acquisition of Tralliance
|
14,450
|
–
|
|||||
Amounts
loaned to Tralliance prior to acquisition
|
(280,000
|
)
|
(325,250
|
)
|
|||
Other,
net
|
(40,000
|
)
|
(84,483
|
)
|
|||
Net
cash and cash equivalents used in investing activities of continuing
operations
|
(520,496
|
)
|
(2,421,357
|
)
|
|||
Acquisition
of discontinued operation, net of cash acquired
|
–
|
(2,389,520
|
)
|
||||
Purchases
of property and equipment by discontinued operation
|
(171,431
|
)
|
(18,993
|
)
|
|||
Net
cash and cash equivalents used in investing activities
|
(691,927
|
)
|
(4,829,870
|
)
|
|||
Cash
Flows from Financing Activities:
|
|||||||
Borrowings
on notes payable and long-term debt
|
4,000,000
|
2,000,000
|
|||||
Payments
on notes payable and long-term debt
|
(277,608
|
)
|
(121,599
|
)
|
|||
Proceeds
from issuance of common stock, net
|
–
|
26,972,745
|
|||||
Proceeds
from exercise of common stock options
|
31,881
|
184,546
|
|||||
Proceeds
from exercise of warrants
|
10,836
|
10,918
|
|||||
Payments
of other long-term liabilities, net
|
–
|
(119,711
|
)
|
||||
Net
cash and cash equivalents provided by financing activities
|
3,765,109
|
28,926,899
|
|||||
Net
Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents
|
(4,780,585
|
)
|
9,136,238
|
||||
|
|||||||
Cash
and Cash Equivalents, at beginning of period
|
6,828,200
|
1,061,702
|
|||||
Cash
and Cash Equivalents, at end of period
|
$
|
2,047,615
|
$
|
10,197,940
|
|||
See
notes
to unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.
THEGLOBE.COM,
INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
(1)
ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(a)
DESCRIPTION OF THEGLOBE.COM
theglobe.com,
inc. (the "Company" or "theglobe") was incorporated on May 1, 1995 (inception)
and commenced operations on that date. Originally, theglobe.com was an online
community with registered members and users in the United States and abroad.
That product gave users the freedom to personalize their online experience
by
publishing their own content and by interacting with others having similar
interests. However, due to the deterioration of the online advertising market,
the Company was forced to restructure and ceased the operations of its online
community on August 15, 2001. The Company then sold most of its remaining
online
and offline properties. The Company continues to operate its Computer Games
print magazine and the associated website Computer Games Online
(www.cgonline.com), as well as the computer games distribution business of
Chips
& Bits, Inc. (www.chipsbits.com). On June 1, 2002, Chairman Michael S. Egan
and Director Edward A. Cespedes became Chief Executive Officer and President
of
the Company, respectively.
On
November 14, 2002, the Company acquired certain Voice over Internet Protocol
("VoIP") assets and is now pursuing opportunities related to this acquisition.
In exchange for the assets, the Company issued warrants to acquire 1,750,000
shares of its Common Stock and an additional 425,000 warrants as part of
an
earn-out structure upon the attainment of certain performance targets. The
earn-out performance targets were not achieved and the 425,000 earn-out warrants
expired on December 31, 2003.
On
May
28, 2003, the Company acquired Direct Partner Telecom, Inc. ("DPT"), a company
engaged in VoIP telephony services in exchange for 1,375,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock and the issuance of warrants to acquire 500,000 shares
of
the Company's Common Stock. The transaction included an earn-out arrangement
whereby the former shareholders of DPT may earn additional warrants to acquire
up to 2,750,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise price
of
$0.72 per share upon the attainment of certain performance targets by DPT,
or
upon a change in control as defined, over approximately a three year period
following the date of acquisition. Effective March 31, 2004, 500,000 of the
earn-out warrants were forfeited as performance targets had not been achieved
for the first of the three year periods. An additional 750,000 of the warrants
were forfeited effective March 31, 2005, as performance targets for the second
of the three year periods were not achieved.
The
Company acquired all of the physical assets and intellectual property of
DPT and
originally planned to continue to operate the company as a subsidiary and
engage
in the provision of VoIP services to other telephony businesses on a wholesale
transactional basis. In the first quarter of 2004, the Company decided to
suspend DPT's wholesale business and dedicate the DPT physical and intellectual
assets to its retail VoIP business. As a result, the Company wrote-off the
goodwill associated with the purchase of DPT as of December 31, 2003, and
has
since employed DPT's physical assets in the build out of the retail VoIP
network.
On
September 1, 2004, the Company acquired SendTec, Inc. ("SendTec"), a direct
response marketing services and technology company, for a total purchase
price
of approximately $18.0 million. As more fully discussed in Note 3, "Discontinued
Operations - SendTec, Inc.," on October 31, 2005, the Company completed the
sale
of all of the business and substantially all of the net assets of SendTec
for
approximately $39.9 million.
As
more
fully discussed in Note 4, "Acquisition of Tralliance Corporation," on May
9,
2005, the Company exercised its option to acquire Tralliance Corporation
("Tralliance"), a company which had recently entered into an agreement to
become
the registry for the ".travel" top-level Internet domain. The Company issued
2,000,000 shares of its Common Stock, warrants to acquire 475,000 shares
of its
Common Stock and paid $40,000 in cash to acquire Tralliance.
As
of
September 30, 2005, sources of the Company's revenue from continuing operations
were derived principally from the operations of our games related businesses.
The Company's retail VoIP products and services have yet to produce any
significant revenue. Tralliance did not begin collecting fees from ".travel"
registrars for its services until October 2005.
(b)
PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
The
condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company
and its wholly-owned subsidiaries from their respective dates of acquisition.
All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated
in
consolidation.
(c)
UNAUDITED INTERIM CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The
unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company
as
of September 30, 2005 and for the three and nine months ended September 30,
2005
and 2004 included herein have been prepared in accordance with the instructions
for Form 10-Q under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
Article
10 of Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Certain
information and note disclosures normally included in consolidated financial
statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations relating
to interim condensed consolidated financial statements.
In
the
opinion of management, the accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated
financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal
recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly the financial position
of the
Company at September 30, 2005 and the results of its operations and its cash
flows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004. The
results of operations and cash flows for such periods are not necessarily
indicative of results expected for the full year or for any future period.
(d)
USE
OF ESTIMATES
The
preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities
and
the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting
period. These estimates and assumptions relate to estimates of collectibility
of
accounts receivable, the valuation of inventory, accruals, the valuations
of
fair values of options and warrants, the impairment of long-lived assets
and
other factors. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
(e)
CASH
AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Cash
equivalents consist of money market funds and highly liquid short-term
investments with qualified financial institutions. The Company considers
all
highly liquid securities with original maturities of three months or less
to be
cash equivalents. Included in cash and cash equivalents in the accompanying
condensed consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2005, was approximately
$32,000 of cash held in escrow for purposes of sweepstakes promotions conducted
by the VoIP telephony division.
(f)
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
The
Company reports comprehensive income (loss) in accordance with SFAS No. 130,
"Reporting Comprehensive Income." Comprehensive income (loss) generally
represents all changes in stockholders' equity during the year except those
resulting from investments by, or distributions to, stockholders. The Company's
comprehensive loss was approximately $15.8 million and $15.9 million for
the
nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, which approximated
the Company's reported net loss.
(g)
INVENTORY
Inventories
are recorded on a first in, first out basis and valued at the lower of cost
or
market value. The Company's reserve for excess and obsolete inventory as
of
September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004, was approximately $361,000 and
$1,333,000, respectively.
The
Company manages its inventory levels based on internal forecasts of customer
demand for its products, which is difficult to predict and can fluctuate
substantially. In addition, the Company's inventories include high technology
items that are specialized in nature or subject to rapid obsolescence. If
the
Company's demand forecast is greater than the actual customer demand for
its
products, the Company may be required to record additional charges related
to
increases in its inventory valuation reserves in future periods. The value
of
inventories is also dependent on the Company's estimate of future average
selling prices, and, if projected average selling prices are over estimated,
the
Company may be required to further adjust its inventory value to reflect
the
lower of cost or market.
(h)
CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
Financial
instruments which subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist
primarily of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and trade accounts
receivable. The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents with various
financial institutions and invests its funds among a diverse group of issuers
and instruments. The Company performs ongoing credit evaluations of its
customers' financial condition and establishes an allowance for doubtful
accounts based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of customers, historical
trends and other information. Concentration of credit risk in the Company's
computer games and VoIP telephony services divisions is generally limited
due to
the large number of customers in these businesses.
(i)
REVENUE RECOGNITION
Continuing
Operations
COMPUTER
GAMES BUSINESSES
Advertising
revenue from the sale of print advertisements under short-term contracts
in the
Company's magazine publications are recognized at the on-sale date of the
magazines.
Newsstand
sales of the Company's magazine publications are recognized at the on-sale
date
of the magazines, net of provisions for estimated returns. Subscription revenue,
which is net of agency fees, is deferred when initially received and recognized
as income ratably over the subscription term.
Sales
of
video games and related products from the Company's online store are recognized
as revenue when the product is shipped to the customer. Amounts billed to
customers for shipping and handling charges are included in net revenue.
The
Company provides an allowance for returns of merchandise sold through its
online
store. The allowance for returns provided to date has not been significant.
VOIP
TELEPHONY SERVICES
VoIP
telephony services revenue represents fees charged to customers for voice
services and is recognized based on minutes of customer usage or as services
are
provided. The Company records payments received in advance for prepaid services
as deferred revenue until the related services are provided. Sales of peripheral
VoIP telephony equipment are recognized as revenue when the product is shipped
to the customer. Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling charges
are included in net revenue.
Discontinued
Operations
MARKETING
SERVICES
Revenue
from the distribution of Internet advertising is recognized when Internet
users
visit and complete actions at an advertiser's website. Revenue consists of
the
gross value of billings to clients, including the recovery of costs incurred
to
acquire online media required to execute client campaigns. Recorded revenue
is
based upon reports generated by the Company's tracking software.
Revenue
derived from the purchase and tracking of direct response media, such as
television and radio commercials, is recognized on a net basis when the
associated media is aired. In many cases, the amount the Company bills to
clients significantly exceeds the amount of revenue that is earned due to
the
existence of various "pass-through" charges such as the cost of the television
and radio media. Amounts received in advance of media airings are deferred.
Revenue
generated from the production of direct response advertising programs, such
as
infomercials, is recognized on the completed contract method when such programs
are complete and available for airing. Production activities generally take
eight to twelve weeks and the Company usually collects amounts in advance
and at
various points throughout the production process. Amounts received from
customers prior to completion of commercials are included in deferred revenue
and direct costs associated with the production of commercials in process
are
deferred.
(j)
NET
LOSS PER SHARE
The
Company reports net loss per common share in accordance with SFAS No. 128,
"Computation of Earnings Per Share." In accordance with SFAS No. 128 and
the SEC
Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 98, basic earnings per share is computed using
the
weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Common
equivalent shares consist of the incremental common shares issuable upon
the
conversion of convertible preferred stock and convertible notes (using the
if-converted method), if any, and the shares issuable upon the exercise of
stock
options and warrants (using the treasury stock method). Common equivalent
shares
are excluded from the calculation if their effect is anti-dilutive.
Due
to
the Company's net losses, the effect of potentially dilutive securities or
common stock equivalents that could be issued was excluded from the diluted
net
loss per common share calculation due to the anti-dilutive effect. Such
potentially dilutive securities and common stock equivalents consisted of
the
following for the periods ended September 30:
2005
|
2004
|
||||||
Options
to purchase common stock
|
19,570,000
|
15,224,000
|
|||||
Common
shares issuable upon exercise of warrants
|
11,492,000
|
20,713,000
|
|||||
Common
shares issuable upon conversion of Convertible Notes
|
68,000,000
|
–
|
|||||
Common
shares issuable upon conversion of Series H Preferred
Stock
|
–
|
17,500,000
|
|||||
Total
|
99,062,000
|
53,437,000
|
(k)
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In
May
2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, "Accounting for Changes and Error
Corrections, a Replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3."
SFAS
154 applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principles and requires
retrospective application to prior periods' financial statements of changes
in
accounting principles. This statement also requires that a change in
depreciation, amortization or depletion method for long-lived, non-financial
assets be accounted for as a change in accounting estimate effected by a
change
in accounting principle. SFAS 154 carries forward without change the guidance
contained in APB Opinion No. 20 for reporting the correction of an error
in
previously issued financial statements and a change in accounting estimate.
This
statement is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made
in
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. The Company does not expect
the
adoption of this standard to have a material impact on its financial condition,
results of operations or liquidity.
In
March
2005, the FASB issued Interpretation ("FIN") No. 47, "Accounting for Conditional
Asset Retirement Obligations," an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143,
"Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations." The interpretation clarifies
that
the term conditional asset retirement obligation refers to a legal obligation
to
perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and/or method of
settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within
the
control of the entity. An entity is required to recognize a liability for
the
fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation if the fair value
of the
liability can be reasonably estimated. FIN 47 also clarifies when an entity
would have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the fair value of
an
asset retirement obligation. The effective date of this interpretation is
no
later than the end of fiscal years ending after December 15, 2005. The Company
is currently investigating the effect, if any, that FIN 47 would have on
the
Company's financial position, cash flows and results of operations.
In
December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153, "Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets,
an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29." SFAS No. 153 requires exchanges of
productive assets to be accounted for at fair value, rather than at carryover
basis, unless (1) neither the asset received nor the asset surrendered has
a
fair value that is determinable within reasonable limits or (2) the transactions
lack commercial substance. This statement is effective for nonmonetary asset
exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005. The
Company
does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on
its
financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.
In
December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123R, "Share-Based Payment." This
standard replaces SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,"
and
supersedes Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 25, "Accounting
for
Stock Issued to Employees." The standard requires companies to expense the
fair
value of stock options on the grant date and is effective for annual periods
beginning after June 15, 2005. In accordance with the revised statement,
the
expense attributable to stock options granted or vested subsequent to January
1,
2006 will be required to be recognized by the Company. The precise impact
of the
adoption of SFAS No. 123R cannot be predicted at this time because it will
depend on the levels of share-based payments that are granted in the future.
However, the Company believes that the adoption of this standard may have
a
significant effect on the Company's results of operations or financial
position.
In
November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, "Inventory Costs - an amendment
of
ARB No. 43, Chapter 4." SFAS No. 151 requires all companies to recognize
a
current-period charge for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight,
handling costs and wasted materials. This statement also requires that the
allocation of fixed production overhead to the costs of conversion be based
on
the normal capacity of the production facilities. SFAS No. 151 will be effective
for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company does not expect
the
adoption of this statement to have a material effect on its consolidated
financial statements.
In
December 2003, the FASB issued FIN No. 46-R, "Consolidation of Variable Interest
Entities." FIN 46-R, which modifies certain provisions and effective dates
of
FIN 46, sets forth the criteria to be used in determining whether an investment
in a variable interest entity should be consolidated. These provisions are
based
on the general premise that if a company controls another entity through
interests other than voting interests, that company should consolidate the
controlled entity. The Company believes that currently, it does not have
any
material arrangements that meet the definition of a variable interest entity
which would require consolidation.
(l)
RECLASSIFICATIONS
Certain
2004 amounts have been reclassified to conform to the 2005 presentation.
In
accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of
Long-Lived Assets”, the operations of SendTec have been accounted for in
accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 144 and the results of SendTec’s
operations have been included in income from discontinued operations. Prior
periods have been reclassified for comparability, as required.
(2)
GOING
CONCERN CONSIDERATIONS
The
Company received a report from its independent accountants, relating to its
December 31, 2004 audited financial statements containing an explanatory
paragraph stating that its recurring losses from operations and its accumulated
deficit raise substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a
going concern. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements
have
been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted
in the
United States of America on a going concern basis, which contemplates the
realization of assets and the satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course
of business. Accordingly, the condensed consolidated financial statements
do not
include any adjustments relating to the recoverability of assets and
classification of liabilities that might be necessary should the Company
be
unable to continue as a going concern. Based upon the net cash proceeds received
from the completion of the sale of the SendTec business on October 31, 2005,
management believes the Company has sufficient liquidity to operate as a
going
concern through at least the end of 2006.
(3)
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS - SENDTEC, INC.
On
August
10, 2005, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with
RelationServe Media, Inc. ("RelationServe") whereby the Company agreed to
sell
all of the business and substantially all of the net assets of its SendTec
marketing services subsidiary to RelationServe for $37,500,000 in cash, subject
to certain net working capital adjustments. On August 23, 2005, the Company
entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Asset Purchase Agreement with RelationServe
(the “1st
Amendment” and together with the original Asset Purchase Agreement, the
“Purchase Agreement”). On October 31, 2005, the Company completed the asset
sale. Including adjustments to the purchase price, related to excess working
capital of SendTec as of the date of sale, the Company received an aggregate
of
approximately $39,900,000 in cash pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. In
accordance with the terms of an escrow agreement established as a source
to
secure the Company’s indemnification obligations under the Purchase Agreement,
$1,000,000 of the purchase price and an aggregate of 2,272,727 shares of
theglobe’s unregistered Common Stock (valued at $750,000 pursuant to the terms
of the Purchase Agreement based upon the average closing price of the stock
in
the 10 day period preceding the closing of the sale) were placed into escrow.
Any of the shares of Common Stock released from escrow to RelationServe will
be
entitled to customary “piggy-back” registration rights.
Additionally,
as contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, immediately following the asset
sale,
the Company completed the redemption of 28,879,097 shares of its Common Stock
owned by six members of management of SendTec for approximately $11,604,000
in
cash pursuant to a Redemption Agreement dated August 23, 2005. Pursuant to
a
separate Termination Agreement, the Company also terminated and canceled
1,275,783 stock options and the contingent interest in 2,062,785 earn-out
warrants held by the six members of management in exchange for approximately
$400,000 in cash. The Company also terminated 829,678 stock options of certain
other non-management employees of SendTec and entered into bonus arrangements
with a number of other non-management SendTec employees for amounts totaling
approximately $600,000.
Results
of operations for SendTec have been reported separately as “Discontinued
Operations” in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations
for all periods presented. The assets and liabilities of the SendTec marketing
services business which was sold have been included in the captions, “Assets of
Discontinued Operations” and “Liabilities of Discontinued Operations” in the
accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
The
following is a summary of the assets and liabilities of the discontinued
operations of SendTec as included in the accompanying condensed consolidated
balance sheets:
September
30,
|
December
31,
|
||||||
2005
|
2004
|
||||||
Assets:
|
|||||||
Accounts
receivable
|
$
|
8,674,235
|
$
|
6,620,382
|
|||
Prepaid
and other current assets
|
544,451
|
683,380
|
|||||
Property
and equipment, net
|
874,135
|
963,757
|
|||||
Goodwill
|
11,709,952
|
11,702,317
|
|||||
Non-compete
intangible assets
|
1,410,000
|
1,680,000
|
|||||
Other
assets
|
28,604
|
15,593
|
|||||
Assets
of discontinued operations
|
$
|
23,241,377
|
$
|
21,665,429
|
|||
Liabilities:
|
|||||||
Accounts
payable
|
$
|
7,940,291
|
$
|
6,383,502
|
|||
Accrued
expenses
|
352,945
|
1,083,543
|
|||||
Deferred
revenue
|
164,362
|
575,950
|
|||||
Liabilities
of discontinued operations
|
$
|
8,457,598
|
$
|
8,042,995
|
Summarized
financial information for the Discontinued Operations of SendTec was as
follows:
Three
Months Ended
September
30,
|
|||||||
2005
|
2004
|
||||||
Net
revenue, net of intercompany eliminations
|
$
|
10,752,616
|
$
|
2,820,381
|
|||
Income
from discontinued operations
|
$
|
1,009,026
|
$
|
162,286
|
|||
Provision
for income taxes
|
372,971
|
61,860
|
|||||
Income
from discontinued operations, net of tax
|
$
|
636,055
|
$
|
100,426
|
Nine
Months Ended
September
30,
|
|||||||
2005
|
2004
|
||||||
Net
revenue, net of intercompany eliminations
|
$
|
28,897,502
|
$
|
2,820,381
|
|||
Income
from discontinued operations
|
$
|
2,734,154
|
$
|
162,286
|
|||
Provision
for income taxes
|
1,038,497
|
61,860
|
|||||
Income
from discontinued operations, net of tax
|
$
|
1,695,657
|
$
|
100,426
|
The
Company originally acquired SendTec on September 1, 2004. In exchange for
all of
the issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of SendTec the Company
paid
consideration consisting of: (i) $6,000,000 in cash, excluding transaction
costs, (ii) the issuance of an aggregate of 17,500,024 shares of the Company's
Common Stock, (iii) the issuance of an aggregate of 175,000 shares of Series
H
Automatically Converting Preferred Stock (which was converted into approximately
17,500,500 shares of the Company's Common Stock effective December 1, 2004),
and
(iv) the issuance of a subordinated promissory note in the amount of $1,000,009.
The Company also issued an aggregate of 3,974,165 replacement options to
acquire
the Company's Common Stock for each of the issued and outstanding options
to
acquire SendTec shares held by the former employees of SendTec.
The
SendTec purchase price allocation was as follows:
Cash
|
$
|
3,610,000
|
||
Accounts
receivable
|
5,534,000
|
|||
Other
current assets
|
194,000
|
|||
Fixed
assets
|
1,031,000
|
|||
Non-compete
agreements
|
1,800,000
|
|||
Goodwill
|
11,710,000
|
|||
Other
assets
|
124,000
|
|||
Assumed
liabilities
|
(5,605,000
|
)
|
||
$
|
18,398,000
|
In
addition, warrants to acquire shares of theglobe.com Common Stock would be
issued to the former shareholders of SendTec when and if SendTec exceeded
forecasted operating income, as defined, of $10.125 million, for the year
ending
December 31, 2005. The number of earn-out warrants issuable ranged from an
aggregate of approximately 250,000 to 2,500,000 (if actual operating income
exceeds the forecast by at least 10%). Pursuant to the Termination Agreement
mentioned above, the contingent interest in approximately 2,063,000 of the
earn-out warrants was canceled effective October 31, 2005.
As
part
of the SendTec acquisition transaction, certain executives of SendTec entered
into new employment agreements with SendTec. The employment agreements each
had
a term of five years and contained certain non-compete provisions for periods
as
specified by the agreements. The $1,800,000 value assigned to the non-compete
agreements was being amortized on a straight-line basis over five years.
Pursuant to the Termination Agreement mentioned above, the employment agreements
were terminated effective October 31, 2005.
(4)
ACQUISITION OF TRALLIANCE CORPORATION
On
February 25, 2003, theglobe.com entered into a Loan and Purchase Option
Agreement, as amended, with Tralliance, an Internet related business venture,
pursuant to which it agreed to fund, in the form of a loan, at the discretion
of
the Company, Tralliance's operating expenses and obtained the option to acquire
all of the outstanding capital stock of Tralliance in exchange for, when
and if
exercised, $40,000 in cash and the issuance of an aggregate of 2,000,000
unregistered restricted shares of theglobe.com's Common Stock (the "Option").
The Loan was secured by a lien on the assets of the venture. On May 5, 2005,
Tralliance and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers ("ICANN")
entered into an agreement designating Tralliance as the registry for the
".travel" top-level domain. On May 9, 2005, the Company exercised its option
to
acquire all of the outstanding capital stock of Tralliance. The purchase
price
consisted of the issuance of 2,000,000 shares of theglobe.com Common Stock,
warrants to acquire 475,000 shares of theglobe.com Common Stock and $40,000
in
cash. The warrants are exercisable for a period of five years at an exercise
price of $0.11 per share. As part of the transaction, 10,000 shares of
theglobe.com Common Stock were also issued to a third party in payment of
a
finder's fee resulting from the acquisition. The Common Stock issued as a
result
of the acquisition of Tralliance is entitled to certain "piggy-back"
registration rights. In addition, as part of the transaction, the Company
agreed
to pay approximately $154,000 in outstanding liabilities of Tralliance
immediately after the closing of the acquisition.
The
preliminary Tralliance purchase price allocation was as follows:
Cash
|
$
|
54,000
|
||
Other
current assets
|
6,000
|
|||
Intangible
assets
|
564,000
|
|||
Assumed
liabilities
|
(370,000
|
)
|
||
$
|
254,000
|
Upon
acquisition, the existing CEO and CFO of Tralliance entered into employment
agreements, which include certain non-compete provisions, whereby each would
agree to remain in the employ of Tralliance for a period of two years in
exchange for annual base compensation totaling $200,000 to each officer,
plus
participation in a bonus pool based upon the pre-tax income of the venture.
The
value
assigned to the intangible assets acquired is being amortized on a straight-line
basis over the expected useful life. Annual amortization expense of the
intangible assets is estimated to be approximately $75,200 in 2005, $112,800
for
2006 through 2009 and $37,600 in 2010. The related accumulated amortization
as
of September 30, 2005 was $47,000 and amortization expense totaled $28,200
and
$47,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2005, respectively.
Advances
to Tralliance totaled $1,281,500 prior to its acquisition by the Company.
Due to
the uncertainty of the ultimate collectibility of the Loan, the Company had
historically provided a reserve equal to the full amount of the funds advanced
to Tralliance. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, additions
to the reserve of $280,000 and $365,250, respectively, were included in other
expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The
following pro forma condensed consolidated results of operations for the
three
and nine months ended September 30, 2004 and the nine months ended September
30,
2005 assumes the acquisition of Tralliance occurred as of January 1, 2004.
The
pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of what the actual results
of operations of the combined company would have been had the acquisition
occurred on January 1, 2004, nor is it necessarily indicative of future results.
PRO
FORMA RESULTS:
|
2004
|
|||
Three
months ended September 30,
|
||||
Net
revenue
|
$
|
878,000
|
||
Net
loss
|
(5,900,000
|
)
|
||
Basic
and diluted net loss per common share
|
$
|
(0.04
|
)
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||
Nine
months ended September 30,
|
|||||||
Net
revenue
|
$
|
1,689,000
|
$
|
2,560,000
|
|||
Net
loss
|
(15,821,000
|
)
|
(16,039,000
|
)
|
|||
Basic
and diluted net loss per common share
|
$
|
(0.09
|
)
|
$
|
(0.14
|
)
|
(5)
DEBT
On
April
22, 2005, E&C Capital Partners, LLLP and E&C Capital Partners II, Ltd.
(the "Noteholders"), entities controlled by the Company's Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement")
with
theglobe pursuant to which they acquired secured demand convertible promissory
notes (the "Convertible Notes") in the aggregate principal amount of $1,500,000.
Under the terms of the Agreement, the Noteholders were also granted the optional
right, for a period of 90 days from the date of the Agreement, to purchase
additional Convertible Notes such that the aggregate principal amount of
Convertible Notes issued under the Agreement could total $4,000,000 (the
"Option"). On June 1, 2005, the Noteholders exercised a portion of the Option
and acquired an additional $1,500,000 of Convertible Notes. On July 18, 2005,
the Noteholders exercised the remainder of the Option and acquired an additional
$1,000,000 of Convertible Notes.
The
Convertible Notes are convertible at the option of the Noteholders into shares
of the Company's Common Stock at an initial price of $0.05 per share. Through
November 10, 2005, an aggregate of $600,000 of Convertible Notes were converted
by the Noteholders into an aggregate of 12,000,000 shares of the Company’s
Common Stock. Assuming full conversion of all Convertible Notes which remain
outstanding as of November 10, 2005, an additional 68,000,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock would be issued to the Noteholders. The Convertible
Notes
provide for interest at the rate of ten percent per annum and are secured
by a
pledge of substantially all of the assets of the Company. The Convertible
Notes
are due and payable five days after demand for payment by the Noteholders.
As
the
Notes were immediately convertible into common shares of the Company at
issuance, an aggregate of $3,000,000 of non-cash interest expense was recorded
during the 2005 second quarter and $1,000,000 of non-cash interest expense
was
recorded during the 2005 third quarter as a result of the beneficial conversion
features of the Convertible Notes. The value attributed to the beneficial
conversion features was calculated by comparing the fair value of the underlying
common shares of the Convertible Notes on the date of issuance based on the
closing price of theglobe's Common Stock as reflected on the OTCBB to the
conversion price and was limited to the aggregate proceeds received from
the
issuance of the Convertible Notes.
Effective
October 12, 2005, the maturity date of the Company’s mortgage payable totaling
approximately $70,000 was extended to September 30, 2006.
As
discussed in Note 3, “Discontinued Operations - SendTec, Inc.,” on September 1,
2004 the Company issued a subordinated promissory note in the amount of
$1,000,009 in connection with the acquisition of SendTec. The subordinated
promissory note provided for interest at the rate of four percent per annum
and
was due on September 1, 2005. The Company paid the principal and interest
due
under the terms of the subordinated promissory note on October 31, 2005,
including default interest at a rate of 15% per annum for the period the
debt
was outstanding subsequent to the original due date.
(6)
STOCK
OPTION PLANS
A
total
of 5,819,750 stock options were granted during the nine months ended September
30, 2005, including grants of 775,000 stock options to non-employees. A total
of
677,169 stock options were exercised and a total of 1,557,074 stock options
were
cancelled during the nine months ended September 30, 2005.
As
discussed in Note 3, “Discontinued Operations - SendTec, Inc.,” in connection
with the acquisition of SendTec on September 1, 2004, the Company issued
an
aggregate of 3,974,165 replacement options to acquire shares of theglobe’s
Common Stock for each of the then issued and outstanding options to acquire
shares of SendTec common stock held by employees of SendTec. Of these
replacement options, 3,273,663 had exercise prices of $0.06 and 700,497 had
exercise prices of $0.27 per share. The Company also agreed to grant an
aggregate of 225,000 options to employees of SendTec and 25,000 options to
a
consultant of SendTec at an exercise price of $0.34 per share under similar
terms as other stock option grants of theglobe. The Company also granted
1,000,000 stock options at an exercise price of $0.27 per share in connection
with the establishment of a bonus option pool pursuant to which various
employees of SendTec could vest in such options if SendTec exceeded forecasted
operating income, as defined, of $10.125 million, for the year ending December
31, 2005.
As
mentioned in Note 3, “Discontinued Operations - SendTec, Inc.”, pursuant to a
Termination Agreement entered into as a result of the sale of the assets
and
business of SendTec, the Company terminated and canceled an aggregate of
2,105,461 stock options held by employees of SendTec effective October 31,
2005.
Excluding
the aforementioned stock options issued in connection with the acquisition
of
SendTec, a total of 1,745,000 stock options were granted during the nine
months
ended September 30, 2004, including grants of 365,000 stock options to
non-employees. A total of 639,000 stock options were exercised and a total
of
1,049,220 stock options were cancelled during the nine months ended September
30, 2004.
Compensation
expense of $143,351 was charged to continuing operations during the nine
months
ended September 30, 2005, as a result of the vesting of non-employee stock
options granted in prior years, as well as expense resulting from stock options
granted to non-employees during the first nine months of 2005. In addition,
$48,987 of compensation expense was charged to continuing operations during
the
first nine months of 2005 primarily as a result of the accelerated vesting
of
stock options issued to a terminated employee. During the nine months ended
September 30, 2004, stock compensation expense charged to continuing operations
included $398,687 related to non-employee stock options, $160,450 related
to
employee option grants with below-market exercise prices and $17,188 related
to
the accelerated vesting of stock options issued to a terminated
employee.
In
2000,
the Company re-priced a group of stock options issued to its employees. The
Company is accounting for these re-priced options using variable accounting
in
accordance with FIN No. 44. No compensation expense was recorded in connection
with the re-priced stock options during the nine months ended September 30,
2005
and 2004. At September 30, 2005, a total of 29,060 options remained outstanding
which were being accounted for in accordance with FIN No. 44.
Stock
compensation expense totaling $446,854 and $59,507 for the nine months ended
September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively, was charged to income from the
discontinued operations of the Company’s SendTec subsidiary. The expense
resulted primarily from the deferred compensation attributable to the issuance
of stock options in the Company’s acquisition of SendTec as mentioned above.
The
Company estimates the fair value of each stock option at the grant date by
using
the Black Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average
assumptions used for grants in 2005: no dividend yield; an expected life
of
three to five years; 160% expected volatility and a risk free interest rate
of
3.00% to 4.00%.
In
accordance with SFAS No. 123, the Company applies Accounting Principles Board
Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," to account for
stock-based awards granted to employees. The following table presents the
Company's pro forma net loss for the three and nine months ended September
30,
2005 and 2004, had the Company determined compensation cost based on the
fair
value at the grant date for all of its employee stock options issued under
SFAS
No. 123:
Three
Months Ended
September
30,
|
Nine
Months Ended
September
30,
|
||||||||||||
2005
|
2004
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||||
Net
loss - as reported
|
$
|
(5,371,807
|
)
|
$
|
(5,869,656
|
)
|
$
|
(15,790,599
|
)
|
$
|
(15,887,315
|
)
|
|
Add:
Stock-based employee compensation expense included in net loss
as
reported
|
126,331
|
68,659
|
494,201
|
236,963
|
|||||||||
Deduct:
Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under
fair
value method for all awards
|
(352,524
|
)
|
(317,003
|
)
|
(1,187,602
|
)
|
(1,299,648
|
)
|
|||||
Net
loss - pro forma
|
$
|
(5,598,000
|
)
|
$
|
(6,118,000
|
)
|
$
|
(16,484,000
|
)
|
$
|
(16,950,000
|
)
|
|
Basic
net loss per share - as reported
|
$
|
(0.03
|
)
|
$
|
(0.04
|
)
|
$
|
(0.09
|
)
|
$
|
(0.14
|
)
|
|
Basic
net loss per share - pro forma
|
$
|
(0.03
|
)
|
$
|
(0.04
|
)
|
$
|
(0.09
|
)
|
$
|
(0.15
|
)
|
(7)
LITIGATION
On
and
after August 3, 2001 and as of the date of this filing, the Company is aware
that six putative shareholder class action lawsuits were filed against the
Company, certain of its current and former officers and directors (the
“Individual Defendants”), and several investment banks that were the
underwriters of the Company's initial public offering. The lawsuits were
filed
in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.
The
lawsuits purport to be class actions filed on behalf of purchasers of the
stock
of the Company during the period from November 12, 1998 through December
6,
2000. Plaintiffs allege that the underwriter defendants agreed to allocate
stock
in the Company's initial public offering to certain investors in exchange
for
excessive and undisclosed commissions and agreements by those investors to
make
additional purchases of stock in the aftermarket at pre-determined prices.
Plaintiffs allege that the Prospectus for the Company's initial public offering
was false and misleading and in violation of the securities laws because
it did
not disclose these arrangements. On December 5, 2001, an amended complaint
was
filed in one of the actions, alleging the same conduct described above in
connection with the Company's November 23, 1998 initial public offering and
its
May 19, 1999 secondary offering. A Consolidated Amended Complaint, which
is now
the operative complaint, was filed in the Southern District of New York on
April
19, 2002. The action seeks damages in an unspecified amount. On February
19,
2003, a motion to dismiss all claims against the Company was denied by the
Court. On October 13, 2004, the Court certified a class in six of the
approximately 300 other nearly identical actions and noted that the decision
is
intended to provide strong guidance to all parties regarding class certification
in the remaining cases. Plaintiffs have not yet moved to certify a class
in
theglobe.com case.
The
Company has approved a settlement agreement and related agreements which
set
forth the terms of a settlement between the Company, the Individual Defendants,
the plaintiff class and the vast majority of the other approximately 300
issuer
defendants. Among other provisions, the settlement provides for a release
of the
Company and the Individual Defendants for the conduct alleged in the action
to
be wrongful. The Company would agree to undertake certain responsibilities,
including agreeing to assign away, not assert, or release certain potential
claims the Company may have against its underwriters. The settlement agreement
also provides a guaranteed recovery of $1 billion to plaintiffs for the cases
relating to all of the approximately 300 issuers. To the extent that the
underwriter defendants settle all of the cases for at least $1 billion, no
payment will be required under the issuers’ settlement agreement. To the extent
that the underwriter defendants settle for less than $1 billion, the issuers
are
required to make up the difference. It is anticipated that any potential
financial obligation of the Company to plaintiffs pursuant to the terms of
the
settlement agreement and related agreements will be covered by existing
insurance. The Company currently is not aware of any material limitations
on the
expected recovery of any potential financial obligation to plaintiffs from
its
insurance carriers. Its carriers are solvent, and the company is not aware
of
any uncertainties as to the legal sufficiency of an insurance claim with
respect
to any recovery by plaintiffs. Therefore, we do not expect that the settlement
will involve any payment by the Company. If material limitations on the expected
recovery of any potential financial obligation to the plaintiffs from the
Company's insurance carriers should arise, the Company's maximum financial
obligation to plaintiffs pursuant to the settlement agreement would be less
than
$3.4 million. On
February 15, 2005, the Court granted preliminary approval of the settlement
agreement, subject to certain modifications consistent with its opinion.
Those
modifications have been made. There is no assurance that the court will grant
final approval to the settlement. If
the
settlement agreement is not approved and the Company is found liable, we
are
unable to estimate or predict the potential damages that might be awarded,
whether such damages would be greater than the Company’s insurance coverage, and
whether such damages would have a material impact on our results of operations
or financial condition in any future period.
On
December 16, 2004, the Company, together with its wholly-owned subsidiary,
voiceglo Holdings, Inc., were named as defendants in NeoPets, Inc. v. voiceglo
Holdings, Inc. and theglobe.com, inc., a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior
Court. The Company and its subsidiary, were parties to an agreement dated
May 6,
2004, with NeoPets, Inc. ("NeoPets"), whereby NeoPets agreed to host a voiceglo
advertising feature on its website for the purpose of generating registered
activations of the voiceglo product featured. Consideration to NeoPets was
to
include specified commissions, including cash payments based on registered
activations, as defined, as well as the issuance of Common Stock of theglobe.com
and additional cash payments, upon the attainment of certain performance
criteria. NeoPets' complaint asserts claims for breach of contract and specific
performance and seeks payment of approximately $2.5 million in cash, plus
interest, as well as the issuance of 1,000,000 shares of theglobe.com Common
Stock. On February 22, 2005, the Company and voiceglo answered the complaint
and
asserted cross-claims against NeoPets for fraud and deceit, rescission, breach
of contract, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing
and
set-off. NeoPets answered the cross-claims on March 24, 2005.
During
2004, the Company recorded amounts due for commissions pursuant to the terms
of
the agreement totaling approximately $246,000. On August 5, 2005, the Company,
together with voiceglo Holdings, Inc., its wholly-owned subsidiary, and NeoPets
(collectively "the Parties") agreed to amicably resolve their dispute and
entered into a settlement agreement (the "Settlement Agreement"). Under the
terms of the Settlement Agreement, the Parties agreed to dismiss the lawsuit,
release each other from all claims and to terminate their May 6, 2004 website
advertising agreement in consideration for voiceglo Holdings, Inc. making
cash
payments totaling $200,000 to NeoPets within thirty days of the date of the
Settlement Agreement.
On
October 4, 2005, Sprint Communications Company, L.P. (“Sprint”) filed a
Complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas
against
theglobe, theglobe’s subsidiary, voiceglo Holdings, inc. (“Voiceglo”), and
Vonage Holdings Corp. (“Vonage”). On October 12, 2005, Sprint filed a First
Amended Complaint naming Vonage America, Inc. (“Vonage America”) as an
additional defendant. Neither theglobe nor Voiceglo has any affiliation with
Vonage or Vonage America. Sprint alleges that Voiceglo has made unauthorized
use
of “inventions” described and claimed in seven patents held by Sprint. Sprint
seeks monetary and injunctive relief for this alleged infringement. The
complaint does not specify which claimed “inventions” allegedly have been used
by Voiceglo or what specific activity of Voiceglo is alleged to infringe
the
asserted patents. On November 7, 2005, theglobe and Voiceglo filed an Answer
to
Sprint’s First Amended Complaint, denying infringement and interposing
affirmative defenses, including that each of the asserted patents is invalid.
It
is not possible to predict the outcome of this litigation with any certainty
or
whether a decision adverse to theglobe or Voiceglo would have a material
adverse
affect on our developing VoIP business and the financial condition, results
of
operations, and prospects of theglobe generally.
The
Company is currently a party to certain other legal proceedings, claims and
disputes arising in the ordinary course of business, including those noted
above. The Company currently believes that the ultimate outcome of these
other
matters, individually and in the aggregate, will not have a material adverse
affect on the Company's financial position, results of operations or cash
flows.
However, because of the nature and inherent uncertainties of legal proceedings,
should the outcome of these matters be unfavorable, the Company's business,
financial condition, results of operations and cash flows could be materially
and adversely affected.
(8)
SEGMENTS AND GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION
The
Company applies the provisions of SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures About Segments
of
an Enterprise and Related Information," which establishes annual and interim
reporting standards for operating segments of a company. SFAS No. 131 requires
disclosures of selected segment-related financial information about products,
major customers and geographic areas. Effective with the May 9, 2005 acquisition
of Tralliance, the Company was organized in four operating segments for purposes
of making operating decisions and assessing performance: the computer games
division, the Internet services division, the marketing services division
and
the VoIP telephony services division. The computer games division consists
of
the operations of the Company's magazine publications and the associated
websites and the operations of Chips & Bits, Inc., its games distribution
business. The Internet services division consists of the newly acquired
operations of Tralliance. The VoIP telephony services division is principally
involved in the sale of telecommunications services over the Internet to
consumers. The marketing services division consists of the operations of
the
Company's subsidiary, SendTec which was sold effective October 31, 2005 and
has
been reflected as “discontinued operations” where applicable within the segment
data presented below.
The
chief
operating decision maker evaluates performance, makes operating decisions
and
allocates resources based on financial data of each segment. Where appropriate,
the Company charges specific costs to each segment where they can be identified.
Certain items are maintained at the Company's corporate headquarters
("Corporate") and are not presently allocated to the segments. Corporate
expenses primarily include personnel costs related to executives and certain
support staff and professional fees. Corporate assets principally consist
of
cash and cash equivalents. Subsequent to its acquisition on September 1,
2004,
SendTec provided various intersegment marketing services to the Company's
VoIP
telephony services division. Prior to the acquisition of SendTec, there were
no
intersegment transactions. The accounting policies of the segments are the
same
as those for the Company as a whole.
The
following table presents financial information regarding the Company's different
segments:
Three
Months Ended
|
Nine
Months Ended
|
||||||||||||
September
30,
|
September
30,
|
||||||||||||
2005
|
2004
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||||
NET
REVENUE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS:
|
|||||||||||||
Computer
games
|
$
|
360,917
|
$
|
779,073
|
$
|
1,477,692
|
$
|
2,253,947
|
|||||
VoIP
telephony services
|
48,341
|
98,654
|
211,726
|
306,007
|
|||||||||
$
|
409,258
|
$
|
877,727
|
$
|
1,689,418
|
$
|
2,559,954
|
||||||
OPERATING
LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS:
|
|||||||||||||
Computer
games
|
$
|
(716,105
|
)
|
$
|
(64,714
|
)
|
$
|
(1,694,843
|
)
|
$
|
(376,725
|
)
|
|
VoIP
telephony services
|
(3,064,272
|
)
|
(5,501,761
|
)
|
(9,191,989
|
)
|
(12,268,015
|
)
|
|||||
Internet
services
|
(431,990
|
)
|
–
|
(645,564
|
)
|
–
|
|||||||
Corporate
expenses
|
(1,078,651
|
)
|
(716,908
|
)
|
(2,553,523
|
)
|
(2,719,350
|
)
|
|||||
Operating
loss from continuing operations
|
(5,291,018
|
)
|
(6,283,383
|
)
|
(14,085,919
|
)
|
(15,364,090
|
)
|
|||||
Other
income (expense), net
|
(1,105,391
|
)
|
251,441
|
(4,438,834
|
)
|
(685,511
|
)
|
||||||
Loss
from continuing operations before income tax
|
$
|
(6,396,409
|
)
|
$
|
(6,031,942
|
)
|
$
|
(18,524,753
|
)
|
$
|
(16,049,601
|
)
|
Three
Months Ended
|
Nine
Months Ended
|
||||||||||||
September
30,
|
September
30,
|
||||||||||||
2005
|
2004
|
2005
|
2004
|
||||||||||
DEPRECIATION
AND AMORTIZATION OF CONTINUING OPERATIONS:
|
|||||||||||||
Computer
games
|
$
|
7,723
|
$
|
1,358
|
$
|
23,161
|
$
|
6,146
|
|||||
VoIP
telephony services
|
280,584
|
397,062
|
829,160
|
913,461
|
|||||||||
Internet
services
|
30,668
|
–
|
49,468
|
–
|
|||||||||
Corporate
expenses
|
8,450
|
9,074
|
27,607
|
22,580
|
|||||||||
$
|
327,425
|
$
|
407,494
|
$
|
929,396
|
$
|
942,187
|
September
30,
|
December
31,
|
||||||
2005
|
2004
|
||||||
IDENTIFIABLE
ASSETS:
|
|||||||
Computer
games
|
$
|
830,031
|
$
|
1,585,944
|
|||
VoIP
telephony services
|
2,324,572
|
3,562,384
|
|||||
Internet
services
|
715,039
|
–
|
|||||
Corporate
assets *
|
2,394,520
|
7,203,408
|
|||||
Continuing
operations
|
6,264,162
|
12,351,736
|
|||||
Discontinued
operations
|
23,241,377
|
21,665,429
|
|||||
$
|
29,505,539
|
$
|
34,017,165
|
||||
* |
Corporate
assets includes cash held at subsidiaries for purposes of the presentation
above.
|
(9)
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Reference
should be made to Note 3, “Discontinued Operations - SendTec, Inc.”, for a
discussion of the sale of substantially all of the assets and the business
of
SendTec, the Company’s wholly-owned marketing services subsidiary, effective
October 31, 2005. Information regarding the repayment of the $1,000,009
subordinated promissory note issued in the original acquisition of SendTec
is
presented in Note 5, “Debt”, and additional information regarding stock options
held by SendTec employees which were terminated and canceled as a result
of the
SendTec asset sale is included in Note 6, “Stock Options Plans”.
Effective
November 4, 2005, the Company paid a total of approximately $3,953,000 in
bonuses to certain of its officers, employees and consultants.
FORWARD
LOOKING STATEMENTS
This
Form
10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal
securities laws that relate to future events or our future financial
performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by
terminology, such as "may," "will," "should," "could," "expect," "plan,"
"anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "project," "predict," "intend," "potential"
or "continue" or the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology,
although not all forward-looking statements contain such terms. In addition,
these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements
regarding:
o |
implementing
our business plans;
|
o |
marketing
and commercialization of our existing products and those products
under
development;
|
o |
plans
for future products and services and for enhancements of existing
products
and services;
|
o |
our
ability to implement cost-reduction programs;
|
o |
potential
governmental regulation and taxation;
|
o |
the
outcome of any pending litigation;
|
o |
our
intellectual property;
|
o |
our
estimates of future revenue and profitability;
|
o |
our
estimates or expectations of continued losses;
|
o |
our
expectations regarding future expenses, including cost of revenue,
product
development, sales and marketing, and general and administrative
expenses;
|
o |
difficulty
or inability to raise additional financing, if needed, on terms
acceptable
to us;
|
o |
our
estimates regarding our capital requirements and our needs for
additional
financing;
|
o |
attracting
and retaining customers and employees;
|
o |
rapid
technological changes in our industry and relevant markets;
|
o |
sources
of revenue and anticipated revenue;
|
o |
plans
for future acquisitions and entering new lines of business;
|
o |
plans
for divestitures of certain businesses or assets;
|
o |
competition
in our market; and
|
o |
our
ability to continue to operate as a going concern.
|
These
statements are only predictions. Although we believe that the expectations
reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot
guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements.
We
are not required to and do not intend to update any of the forward-looking
statements after the date of this Form 10-Q or to conform these statements
to
actual results. In light of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, the
forward-looking events discussed in this Form 10-Q might not occur. Actual
results, levels of activity, performance, achievements and events may vary
significantly from those implied by the forward-looking statements. A
description of risks that could cause our results to vary appears under "Risk
Factors" and elsewhere in this Form 10-Q. The following discussion should
be
read together in conjunction with the accompanying unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto and the audited
consolidated financial statements and notes to those statements contained
in the
Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004.
OVERVIEW
As
of
September 30, 2005, theglobe.com, inc. (the "Company" or "theglobe") managed
four primary lines of business. One line of business, Voice over Internet
Protocol ("VoIP") telephony services, includes voiceglo Holdings, Inc., a
wholly-owned subsidiary of theglobe that offers VoIP-based phone services.
The
term VoIP refers to a category of hardware and software that enables people
to
use the Internet to make phone calls. The second line of business consists
of
our historical network of three wholly-owned businesses, each of which
specializes in the games business by delivering games information and selling
games in the United States and abroad. These businesses are: our print
publication business, which consists of Computer Games and Now Playing
magazines; our online website business, which consists of our Computer Games
Online website (www.cgonline.com) and our Now Playing Online website
(www.nowplayingmag.com), which are the online counterparts to our magazine
publications; and our Chips & Bits, Inc. (www.chipsbits.com) games
distribution company ("Chips & Bits"). We entered a third line of business,
marketing services, on September 1, 2004, with our acquisition of SendTec,
Inc.
("SendTec"), a direct response marketing services and technology company,
which
business we disposed of on October 31, 2005. On May 9, 2005, we entered a
fourth
line of business, which we call our Internet Services business, when we
exercised our option to acquire Tralliance Corporation ("Tralliance"), a
company
which had recently entered into an agreement to become the registry for the
".travel" top-level Internet domain.
As
of
September 30, 2005, sources of our revenue from continuing operations were
derived principally from the operations of our computer games related
businesses. Our VoIP products and services have yet to produce any significant
revenue. Tralliance did not begin collecting fees from “.travel” registrars for
its services until October 2005.
During
the first quarter of 2005, management began actively reevaluating the Company's
primary business lines, particularly in view of the Company's critical need
for
cash and the overall net losses of the Company. As a result, management began
to
explore a number of strategic alternatives for the Company and/or its
businesses, including continuing to operate the businesses, selling certain
businesses or assets, or entering into new lines of businesses.
On
August
10, 2005, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with RelationServe
Media,
Inc. ("RelationServe") whereby we agreed to sell all of the business and
substantially all of the net assets of our SendTec marketing services subsidiary
to RelationServe for $37.5 million in cash, subject to certain net working
capital adjustments. On August 23, 2005, we entered into Amendment No. 1
to the
Asset Purchase Agreement with RelationServe (the “1st
Amendment” and together with the original Asset Purchase Agreement, the
“Purchase Agreement”). On October 31, 2005, we completed the asset sale.
Including adjustments to the purchase price, related to excess working capital
of SendTec as of the date of sale, the Company received an aggregate of
approximately $39.9 million in cash pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. In
accordance with the terms of an escrow agreement established as a source
to
secure our indemnification obligations under the Purchase Agreement, $1.0
million of the purchase price and an aggregate of 2,272,727 shares of theglobe’s
unregistered Common Stock (valued at $750,000 pursuant to the terms of the
Purchase Agreement based upon the average closing price of the stock in the
10
day period preceding the closing of the sale) were placed into escrow. Any
of
the shares of Common Stock released from escrow to RelationServe will be
entitled to customary “piggy-back” registration rights.
Additionally,
as contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, immediately following the asset
sale,
we completed the redemption of 28,879,097 shares of our Common Stock owned
by
six members of management of SendTec for approximately $11.6 million in cash
pursuant to a Redemption Agreement dated August 23, 2005. Pursuant to a separate
Termination Agreement, we also terminated and canceled 1,275,783 stock options
and the contingent interest in 2,062,785 earn-out warrants held by the six
members of management in exchange for approximately $0.4 million in cash.
We
also terminated 829,678 stock options of certain other non-management employees
of SendTec and entered into bonus arrangements with a number of other
non-management SendTec employees for amounts totaling approximately $0.6
million.
Results
of operations for SendTec have been reported separately as “Discontinued
Operations” in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations
for all periods presented. The assets and liabilities of the SendTec marketing
services business which was sold have been included in the captions, “Assets of
Discontinued Operations” and “Liabilities of Discontinued Operations” in the
accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets.
BASIS
OF PRESENTATION OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS; GOING CONCERN
We
received a report from our independent accountants, relating to our December
31,
2004 audited financial statements containing an explanatory paragraph stating
that our recurring losses from operations and our accumulated deficit raise
substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Our
condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance
with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
on
a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and the
satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. Accordingly,
our
condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments
relating to the recoverability of assets and classification of liabilities
that
might be necessary should we be unable to continue as a going concern. Based
upon the net cash proceeds received from the sale of our SendTec business
on
October 31, 2005, management believes the Company has sufficient liquidity
to
operate as a going concern through at least the end of 2006. See the “Liquidity
and Capital Resources” section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations for a more complete discussion.
DESCRIPTION
OF BUSINESS---CONTINUING OPERATIONS
OUR
VOIP TELEPHONY BUSINESS
During
the third quarter of 2003, the Company launched its first suite of consumer
and
business level VoIP services. The Company launched its browser-based VoIP
product during the first quarter of 2004. These services allow consumers
and
enterprises to communicate using VoIP technology for dramatically reduced
pricing compared to traditional telephony networks. The services also offer
traditional telephony features such as voicemail, caller ID, call forwarding,
and call waiting for no additional cost to the consumer, as well as incremental
services that are not currently supported by the public switched telephone
network ("PSTN") like the ability to use numbers remotely and voicemail to
email
services. In the fourth quarter of 2004, the Company announced an "instant
messenger" or "IM" related application which enables users to chat via voice
or
text across multiple platforms using their preferred instant messenger service.
Additionally, during the second quarter of 2005, the Company released a number
of new VoIP products and features which allow users to communicate via mobile
phones, traditional land line phones and/or computers.
The
Company now provides the following VoIP services, on a retail basis, to
individual consumers and businesses:
o
Browser-Based - full functioning voice and messaging capabilities that reside
on
the computer desktop and also include web-based solutions. The only system
requirements are a browser and an Internet connection. The Company is seeking
various patents to protect its position. The browser-based products work
on
broadband, dial-up and wi-fi Internet connections and can optionally be used
with a USB phone or other peripheral devices.
o
Hardware-Based - a long distance or phone line replacement service. Requires
an
Internet connection and can optionally be used with an adapter or regular,
cellular, wi-fi or USB phone directly over a user's computer if desired.
The
service works on broadband, dial-up and wi-fi Internet connections.
The
Company's retail VoIP products are provided under various tradenames including
"voiceglo", "GloPhone" and "tglo". Customers choose their levels of service
from
a number of available packages and complete online registrations and credit
card
payment transactions via websites maintained by the Company. The Company's
browser-based plans require the customers to download a simple "plug-in"
to
their browsers to enable voice and messaging communications. Certain of the
Company's hardware-based plans require the customer to either register the
phones (and phone numbers) that the customer will be using and/or to purchase
and install certain peripheral equipment such as adapters or bridge devices
prior to activating service.
OUR
COMPUTER GAMES BUSINESS
Computer
Games Magazine is a consumer print magazine for gamers. As a leading consumer
print publication for games, Computer Games magazine boasts: a reputation
for
being a reliable, trusted, and engaging games magazine; more editorial content,
tips and hints than most other similar magazines; a knowledgeable editorial
staff providing increased editorial integrity and content; and, broad-based
editorial coverage, appealing to a wide audience of gamers. In Spring 2004,
a
new magazine, Now Playing began to be delivered within Computer Games magazine
and in March 2005, Now Playing began to be distributed as a separate
publication. Now Playing covers movies, DVDs, television, music, games, comics
and anime, and is designed to fulfill the wider pop culture interests of
our
current readers and to attract a more diverse group of advertisers; autos,
television, telecommunications and film to name a few.
Computer
Games Online (www.cgonline.com) is the online counterpart to Computer Games
magazine. Computer Games Online is a source of free computer games news and
information for the sophisticated gamer, featuring news, reviews and previews.
Features of Computer Games Online include: game industry news; truthful,
concise
reviews; first looks, tips and hints; multiple content links; thousands of
archived files; and easy access to game buying.
Now
Playing Online (www.nowplayingmag.com) is the online counterpart for Now
Playing
magazine. Now Playing Online provides free, up-to-date entertainment news
and
information for the pop culture consumer. Features of Now Playing Online
include: industry news in music, movies and games; reviews of concerts, movies
and DVDs; and exclusive video interviews by Now Playing writers done with
well-known Hollywood stars.
Chips
& Bits (www.chipsbits.com) is a games distribution business that attracts
customers in the United States and abroad. Chips & Bits covers all the major
game platforms available, including Macintosh, Window-based PCs, Sony
PlayStation, Sony PlayStation2, Microsoft's Xbox, Nintendo 64, Nintendo's
GameCube, Nintendo's Game Boy, and Sega Dreamcast, among others.
OUR
INTERNET SERVICES BUSINESS
Tralliance,
headquartered in New York City, was incorporated in 2002 to develop products
and
services to enhance online commerce between consumers and the travel and
tourism
industries, including administration of the ".travel" top-level domain. In
February 2003, theglobe.com entered into a Loan and Purchase Option Agreement,
as amended, with Tralliance in which theglobe.com agreed to fund, in the
form of
a loan, at the discretion of theglobe.com, Tralliance's operating expenses
and
obtained the option to acquire all of the outstanding capital stock of
Tralliance. On May 5, 2005, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and
Numbers (ICANN) and Tralliance entered into a contract whereby Tralliance
was
designated as the registry for the ".travel" top-level domain for a period
of
ten years. Effective May 9, 2005, theglobe.com exercised its option to purchase
Tralliance.
As
the
registry for the ".travel" top-level domain, Tralliance will be responsible
for
the administration and maintenance of the master directory and database of
all
second-level ".travel" domain names. In addition, Tralliance will be offering,
free of charge, to all ".travel" top-level domain registrants the ".travel"
directory, a global online source of travel data organized according to a
unique
vocabulary for the travel industry. Tralliance has outsourced or is planning
to
outsource to third parties many of the processes required to operate as the
".travel" registry. Tralliance launched its “.travel” registry services in the
2005 fourth quarter and began collecting fees from “.travel” registrars for its
services in October 2005.
DESCRIPTION
OF BUSINESS---DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
DISCONTINUED
OPERATIONS OF OUR MARKETING SERVICES BUSINESS
As
previously discussed, based upon the Company’s decision to sell substantially
all of the assets and the business of its SendTec subsidiary, the results
of
operations and assets and liabilities of SendTec have been reported separately
as “Discontinued Operations” for all periods presented in this
report.
On
September 1, 2004, the Company acquired SendTec, a direct response marketing
services and technology company. SendTec provides clients a complete offering
of
direct marketing products and services to help their clients market their
products both on the Internet ("online") and through traditional media channels
such as television, radio and print advertising ("offline"). SendTec is
organized into two primary product line divisions: the DirectNet Advertising
Division, which provides digital marketing services; and the Creative South
Division, which provides creative production and media buying services.
Additionally, its proprietary iFactz technology provides software tracking
solutions that benefit both the DirectNet Advertising and Creative South
businesses.
o |
DirectNet
Advertising ("DNA") - DNA delivers results based interactive marketing
programs for advertisers through a network of online distribution
partners
including websites, search engines and email publishers. SendTec's
proprietary software technology is used to track, optimize and
report
results of marketing campaigns to advertising clients and distribution
partners. Pricing options for DNA's services include cost-per-action
("CPA"), cost-per-click ("CPC") and cost-per-thousand impressions
("CPM"),
with most payments resulting from CPA agreements.
|
o |
Creative
South - Creative South provides online and offline agency marketing
services including creative development, campaign management, creative
production, post production, media planning and media buying services.
Most services provided by Creative South are priced on a fee-per-project
basis, where the client pays an agreed upon fixed fee for a designated
scope of work. Creative South also receives monthly retainer fees
from
clients for service to such clients as their Agency of Record.
|
o |
iFactz
- iFactz is SendTec's Application Service Provider ("ASP") technology
that
tracks and reports on a real time basis the online responses generated
from offline direct response advertising, such as television, radio,
print
advertising and direct mail. iFactz' Intelligent Sourcing (TM)
is a
patent-pending media technology that informs the user where online
customers come from, and what corresponding activity they produced
on the
user's website. The iFactz patent application was filed in November
2001
and the Company expects the application to be reviewed during 2005.
iFactz
is licensed to clients based on a monthly fixed license fee, with
license
terms ranging from three months to one year.
|
RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
The
nature of our business has significantly changed from 2004 to 2005. On September
1, 2004, we entered into a new line of business, marketing services, as a
result
of our acquisition of SendTec, Inc. ("SendTec"). On October 31, 2005, we
completed the sale of substantially all of the net assets and the business
of
SendTec. As a result, we now account for and report SendTec as a “discontinued
operation”. Also, on May 9, 2005, the Company entered into another line of
business, Internet services, when it exercised its option to acquire Tralliance
Corporation ("Tralliance"), a company which had recently been designated
as the
registry for the ".travel" top-level Internet domain. The results of both
SendTec and Tralliance are included in the Company's consolidated operating
results from their respective dates of acquisition. Primarily, as a result
of
the acquisition of SendTec, our results of operations for the three and nine
months ended September 30, 2005, are not necessarily comparable to our results
of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2004.
THREE
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 COMPARED TO THE THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
30,
2004
CONTINUING
OPERATIONS
NET
REVENUE. Net revenue totaled $0.4 million for the three months ended September
30, 2005 as compared to $0.9 million for the three months ended September
30,
2004. The $0.5 million decrease in consolidated net revenue was principally
the
result of the $0.4 million decline in net revenue of our computer games business
segment.
NET
REVENUE BY BUSINESS SEGMENT:
2005
|
2004
|
||||||
Computer
games
|
$
|
360,917
|
$
|
779,073
|
|||
VoIP
telephony services
|
48,341
|
98,654
|
|||||
$
|
409,258
|
$
|
877,727
|
Advertising
revenue from the sale of print advertisements in the magazines published
by our
computer games business declined $0.3 million in the 2005 third quarter as
compared to the third quarter of 2004. Sales of electronic games and related
products through Chips & Bits, Inc., our Internet-based retail distribution
subsidiary, decreased $0.1 million in the 2005 third quarter as compared
to the
same quarter of 2004. The $0.4 million decline in net revenue of our computer
games segment in 2005 compared to 2004 negatively impacted the profitability
of
this segment, with the operating loss for computer games increasing to $0.7
million in the third quarter of 2005 compared to $0.1 million in the same
period
of the prior year.
OPERATING
EXPENSES BY BUSINESS SEGMENT:
Depreciation
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Cost
of
|
Sales
and
|
Product
|
General
and
|
and
|
|||||||||||||||
Three
months ended:
|
Revenue
|
Marketing
|
Development
|
Administrative
|
Amortization
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||
2005
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Computer
games
|
$
|
502,345
|
$
|
97,140
|
$
|
178,366
|
$
|
291,448
|
$
|
7,723
|
$
|
1,077,022
|
|||||||
Internet
services
|
–
|
87,143
|
–
|
314,179
|
30,668
|
431,990
|
|||||||||||||
VoIP
telephony services
|
1,711,229
|
297,290
|
178,043
|
645,467
|
280,584
|
3,112,613
|
|||||||||||||
Corporate
expenses
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
1,070,201
|
8,450
|
1,078,651
|
|||||||||||||
$
|
2,213,574
|
$
|
481,573
|
$
|
356,409
|
$
|
2,321,295
|
$
|
327,425
|
$
|
5,700,276
|
|
Depreciation
|
||||||||||||||||||
Cost
of
|
Sales
and
|
Product
|
General
and
|
and
|
|||||||||||||||
Revenue
|
Marketing
|
Development
|
Administrative
|
Amortization
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||
2004
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Computer
games
|
$
|
492,934
|
$
|
81,059
|
$
|
107,736
|
$
|
160,700
|
$
|
1,358
|
$
|
843,787
|
|||||||
VoIP
telephony services
|
2,081,022
|
1,972,380
|
252,742
|
897,209
|
397,062
|
5,600,415
|
|||||||||||||
Corporate
expenses
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
707,834
|
9,074
|
716,908
|
|||||||||||||
$
|
2,573,956
|
$
|
2,053,439
|
$
|
360,478
|
$
|
1,765,743
|
$
|
407,494
|
$
|
7,161,110
|
COST
OF
REVENUE. Cost of revenue totaled $2.2 million for the three months ended
September 30, 2005, a decline of $0.4 million from the $2.6 million reported
for
the three months ended September 30, 2004. The decrease in cost of revenue
as
compared to the 2004 third quarter was principally attributable to the $0.4
million decrease in cost of revenue of our VoIP telephony services business.
Cost of revenue of our VoIP telephony services business segment is principally
comprised of carrier transport and circuit interconnection costs related
to our
retail products, as well as personnel and consulting costs incurred in support
of our Internet telecommunications network. During the 2004 third quarter,
cost
of revenue included charges of $0.6 million related to writedowns of telephony
equipment inventory. The impact of the prior year’s inventory writedown coupled
with $0.2 million lower network operations personnel costs in the third quarter
of 2005 as compared to the same period of 2004, were partially offset by
$0.4
million higher software costs in support of our VoIP telecommunications network.
The Company is no longer capitalizing software development costs of its VoIP
telephony business and is charging such costs to operations as a result of
the
review of long-lived assets for impairment performed in connection with the
preparation of its 2004 year-end consolidated financial statements. Gross
margin
losses related to our new Now Playing magazine, which we began distributing
in
March 2005, coupled with advertising revenue decreases related to our Computer
Games magazine in 2005 versus 2004, negatively impacted profit margins of
our
computer games segment during 2005.
SALES
AND
MARKETING. Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of salaries and
related expenses of sales and marketing personnel, commissions, advertising
and
marketing costs, public relations expenses and promotional activities. Sales
and
marketing expenses totaled $0.5 million for the three months ended September
30,
2005 versus $2.1 million for the same period in 2004. A decrease of $1.7
million
in sales and marketing expenses of the VoIP telephony services business segment
was the principal factor contributing to the decrease in sales and marketing
expenses as compared to the third quarter of 2004. During the third quarter
of
2004, the VoIP telephony services business incurred significant costs in
marketing and advertising its then existing retail products, and also recorded
significant commissions expenses related to its "free" GloPhone customer
registrations. During the first quarter of 2005, the Company reevaluated
its
existing VoIP telephony services business plan and began the process of
terminating and/or modifying certain of its existing product offerings and
marketing programs. The Company also began to develop and test certain new
VoIP
products and features. As a result, the VoIP telephony services business
segment
has significantly slowed its sales and marketing efforts and lowered the
related
personnel costs as compared to the same period in 2004.
PRODUCT
DEVELOPMENT. Product development expenses include salaries and related personnel
costs; expenses incurred in connection with website development, testing
and
upgrades; editorial and content costs; and costs incurred in the development
of
our VoIP telephony products. Product development expenses totaled $0.4 million
in both the third quarter of 2005 and 2004.
GENERAL
AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. General and administrative expenses consist
primarily of salaries and other personnel costs related to management, finance
and accounting functions, facilities, outside legal and professional fees,
information-technology consulting, directors and officers insurance, bad
debt
expenses and general corporate overhead costs. General and administrative
expenses totaled $2.3 million in the third quarter of 2005 versus $1.8 million
reported for the third quarter of 2004. The $0.5 million increase in
consolidated general and administrative expenses as compared to the 2004
third
quarter was primarily attributable to the $0.3 million of general and
administrative expenses incurred by the Company's new Internet services segment,
as well as increases of $0.4 million and $0.1 million in general and
administrative costs of the corporate and computer games segments, respectively.
These increases were partially offset by a $0.3 decrease in general and
administrative expenses of our VoIP telephony services business. Higher
professional fees, principally legal and accounting fees, were primarily
responsible for the $0.4 million increase in corporate general and
administrative expenses as compared to the 2004 third quarter. The decrease
of
$0.3 million in general and administrative expenses incurred by the VoIP
telephony services division was primarily due to reductions in consulting
costs.
DEPRECIATION
AND AMORTIZATION. Depreciation and amortization expense totaled $0.3 million
for
the three months ended September 30, 2005 as compared to $0.4 million for
the
three months ended September 30, 2004. The $0.1 million decline in this expense
category as compared to the same period of the prior year resulted principally
from decreases in depreciation and intangible asset amortization expenses
incurred by the Company's VoIP telephony services business.
OTHER
INCOME (EXPENSE), NET. Approximately $1.0 million of non-cash interest expense
was recorded during the third quarter of 2005 related to the beneficial
conversion features of the $1,000,000 in secured demand convertible promissory
notes acquired by entities controlled by our Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer. See "Capital Transactions" below and Note 5, "Debt," of the Notes
to
Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion.
During the 2004 third quarter a favorable settlement of a previously disputed
vendor claim of approximately $0.4 million was partially offset by $0.1 million
in reserves against amounts loaned by the Company to Tralliance prior to
its
acquisition.
INCOME
TAXES. For continuing operations, an income tax benefit of approximately
$0.4
million was recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2005 versus
an
income tax benefit of approximately $0.1 million for the same period of the
prior year. Other than the income tax liability resulting from the sale of
our
SendTec business, which is not expected to exceed $1.0 million, the Company
does
not expect to incur an income tax liability on a consolidated basis for either
2005 or 2004. Accordingly, income tax benefits of continuing operations serve
to
offset the income tax provisions recorded for discontinued operations. No
consolidated federal income tax or benefit was recorded for the third quarters
of 2005 and 2004 as we recorded a 100% valuation allowance against our otherwise
recognizable deferred tax assets due to the uncertainty surrounding the timing
or ultimate realization of the benefits of our net operating loss carry forwards
in future periods. As of December 31, 2004, the Company had net operating
loss
carryforwards available for U.S. and foreign tax purposes of approximately
$162
million. These carryforwards expire through 2024. The Tax Reform Act of 1986
imposes substantial restrictions on the utilization of net operating losses
and
tax credits in the event of an "ownership change" of a corporation. Due to
various significant changes in our ownership interests, as defined in the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, commencing in August 1997 through
our
most recent issuance of convertible notes in July 2005, and assuming conversion
of such notes, we may have substantially limited or eliminated the availability
of our net operating loss carryforwards. There can be no assurance that we
will
be able to utilize any net operating loss carryforwards in the future.
DISCONTINUED
OPERATIONS
Income
from discontinued operations, net of income taxes totaled $0.6 million in
the
third quarter of 2005 as compared to $0.1 million in the third quarter of
2004.
As a result of the Company’s decision to sell its SendTec marketing services
business, which sale was completed in October 2005, the results of SendTec’s
operations have been reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying
condensed consolidated statements of operations. The third quarter of 2004
includes the results of only one month of SendTec’s operations as SendTec was
originally acquired by the Company on September 1, 2004.
NINE
MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2005 COMPARED TO THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER
30,
2004
CONTINUING
OPERATIONS
NET
REVENUE. Net revenue totaled $1.7 million for the nine months ended September
30, 2005 as compared to $2.6 million for the nine months ended September
30,
2004. The $0.9 million decrease in consolidated net revenue was principally
the
result of a decline of $0.8 million in net revenue of our computer games
business segment.
NET
REVENUE BY BUSINESS SEGMENT:
2005
|
2004
|
||||||
Computer
games
|
$
|
1,477,692
|
$
|
2,253,947
|
|||
VoIP
telephony services
|
211,726
|
306,007
|
|||||
$
|
1,689,418
|
$
|
2,559,954
|
The
decline in net revenue of the Company’s computer games business segment as
compared to the prior year resulted from decreases of $0.4 million in net
revenue from our Chips & Bits, Inc., retail games distribution subsidiary,
due primarily to a decrease in the volume of games products sold, $0.3 million
in print advertising revenue generated by our magazine publications and $0.1
million in net revenue from magazine sales. The $0.8 million decline in net
revenue of our computer games segment in 2005 compared to 2004 negatively
impacted the profitability of this segment, with the operating loss for computer
games increasing to $1.7 million for the nine months ended September 30,
2005
compared to $0.4 million for the same period of the prior year.
OPERATING
EXPENSES BY BUSINESS SEGMENT:
Depreciation
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Cost
of
|
Sales
and
|
Product
|
General
and
|
and
|
|||||||||||||||
Nine
months ended:
|
Revenue
|
Marketing
|
Development
|
Administrative
|
Amortization
|
Total
|
|||||||||||||
2005
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Computer
games
|
$
|
1,717,730
|
$
|
318,342
|
$
|
497,493
|
$
|
615,809
|
$
|
23,161
|
$
|
3,172,535
|
|||||||
Internet
services
|
–
|
96,381
|
–
|
499,715
|
49,468
|
645,564
|
|||||||||||||
VoIP
telephony services
|
4,661,415
|
1,307,335
|
513,173
|
2,092,632
|
829,160
|
9,403,715
|
|||||||||||||
Corporate
expenses
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
2,525,916
|
27,607
|
2,553,523
|
|||||||||||||
$
|
6,379,145
|
$
|
1,722,058
|
$
|
1,010,666
|
$
|
5,734,072
|
$
|
929,396
|
$
|
15,775,337
|
Depreciation
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Cost
of
|
Sales
and
|
Product
|
General
and
|
and
|
|||||||||||||||
Revenue
|
Marketing
|
Development
|
Administrative
|
Amortization
|
Total
|
||||||||||||||
2004
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Computer
games
|
$
|
1,598,833
|
$
|
252,214
|
$
|
341,645
|
$
|
431,834
|
$
|
6,146
|
$
|
2,630,672
|
|||||||
VoIP
telephony services
|
4,468,549
|
4,523,456
|
385,017
|
2,283,539
|
913,461
|
12,574,022
|
|||||||||||||
Corporate
expenses
|
–
|
–
|
–
|
2,696,770
|
22,580
|
2,719,350
|
|||||||||||||
$
|
6,067,382
|
$
|
4,775,670
|
$
|
726,662
|
$
|
5,412,143
|
$
|
942,187
|
$
|
17,924,044
|
COST
OF
REVENUE. Cost of revenue totaled $6.4 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 2005 versus $6.1 million reported for the nine months ended
September 30, 2004. Cost of revenue of our computer games segment totaled
$1.7
million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005, an increase of $0.1
million from the same period in 2004, due primarily to the costs of $0.3
million
associated with our new magazine publication, Now Playing, which we began
distributing in March 2005. Gross margin losses related to our new Now Playing
magazine and advertising revenue decreases related to our Computer Games
magazine in 2005 compared to 2004 negatively impacted profit margins of our
computer games segment during 2005.
As
mentioned in the comparison of the three months ended September 30, 2005
to the
three months ended September 30, 2004, cost of revenue in the prior year
included charges of $0.6 million related to writedowns of telephony equipment
inventory. Excluding the impact of the 2004 inventory charge, VoIP telephony
services cost of revenue increased $0.8 million compared to the first nine
months of 2004. Throughout 2004, the Company increased its VoIP network capacity
by entering into agreements with numerous carriers for leased equipment and
services and with third parties for a number of leased data center facilities.
The Company also expanded its internal network support function by hiring
additional technical personnel. As a result, the Company incurred higher
network
operating and support costs during the nine months ended September 30, 2005
compared to the first nine months of the prior year. In addition, the Company
is
no longer capitalizing software development costs in its VoIP telephony business
and is charging such costs to operations as a result of the review of long-lived
assets for impairment performed in connection with the preparation of its
2004
year-end consolidated financial statements. The first nine months of 2005
include $0.4 million in expenses related to such software costs.
SALES
AND
MARKETING. Sales and marketing expenses totaled $1.7 million for the nine
months
ended September 30, 2005, a decrease of $3.1 million from the $4.8 million
reported for the same period in 2004. The decline in consolidated sales and
marketing expenses was primarily due to the $3.2 million decrease in sales
and
marketing expenses of the VoIP telephony services business. As discussed
in the
comparison of the three months ended September 30, 2005 compared to the three
months ended September 30, 2004, the VoIP telephony services business incurred
significant costs during the nine months of 2004 for advertising campaigns
and
marketing services, as well as commissions expenses related to its VoIP
products. During the first quarter of 2005, the Company reevaluated its existing
VoIP telephony services business plan and began the process of terminating
and/or modifying certain of its existing product offerings and marketing
programs. The Company also began to develop and test certain new VoIP products
and features. As a result, the VoIP telephony services business segment has
significantly slowed its sales and marketing efforts, as compared to the
same
period in 2004.
PRODUCT
DEVELOPMENT. Product development expenses totaled $1.0 million for the nine
months ended September 30, 2005 as compared to $0.7 million for the nine
months
ended September 30, 2004. The increase in product development expenses as
compared to the first nine months of 2004 was primarily due to increases
in
personnel costs related to the continued development of our retail VoIP
telephony products and services and increases in website development costs
incurred by our computer games business.
GENERAL
AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES. General and administrative expenses of $5.7
million
for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 increased $0.3 million from
the
$5.4 million reported for the same period of 2004. The increase in general
and
administrative expenses as compared to 2004 was primarily attributable to
the
inclusion of $0.5 million of general and administrative expenses incurred
by the
Company's Internet services business. Tralliance, which comprises our Internet
services segment, was acquired in May 2005 and its results of operations
have
been included in our results only since its date of acquisition. Corporate
general and administrative expense declined $0.2 million as compared to the
first six months of 2004 primarily due to lower personnel related expenses.
Declines of $0.2 million in general and administrative expenses in each of
the
VoIP telephony services and corporate divisions as compared to the first
nine
months of 2004, were partially offset by an increase of $0.2 million in general
and administrative expenses of the computer games business.
DEPRECIATION
AND AMORTIZATION. Depreciation and amortization expense totaled $0.9 million
for
the first nine months of both 2005 and 2004.
INTEREST
EXPENSE, NET. Interest expense, net of interest income, totaled $4.2 million
for
the first nine months of 2005 as compared to $0.8 million in the same period
of
the prior year. Non-cash interest expense of $4.0 million was recorded during
2005 related to the beneficial conversion feature of the $4,000,000 secured
demand convertible promissory notes issued by the Company. During the first
nine
months of 2004, $0.7 million of non-cash interest expense was recorded related
to the beneficial conversion feature of the $2,000,000 demand convertible
promissory note acquired by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and
his
spouse in February 2004.
OTHER
INCOME (EXPENSE), NET. Other expense, net of approximately $0.3 million was
recorded during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 as compared to other
income, net of approximately $0.1 million during the nine months ended September
30, 2004. Reserves against the amounts advanced by the Company to Tralliance
Corporation prior to its acquisition of $0.3 million and $0.4 million were
charged to other expense during the first nine months of 2005 and 2004,
respectively. The 2004 period also included recognition of approximately
$0.4
million of other income related to a favorable settlement of a previously
disputed vendor claim of the computer games business segment.
INCOME
TAXES. For continuing operations, an income tax benefit of approximately
$1.0
million was recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 versus
an
income tax benefit of approximately $0.1 million for the same period of the
prior year. Other than the income tax liability resulting from the sale of
our
SendTec business, which is not expected to exceed $1.0 million, the Company
does
not expect to incur an income tax liability on a consolidated basis for either
2005 or 2004. Accordingly, income tax benefits of continuing operations serve
to
offset the income tax provisions recorded for discontinued operations. As
was
the case in the third quarter of 2005, no federal income tax benefit was
recorded on a consolidated basis for the first nine months of 2005 as we
recorded a 100% valuation allowance against our otherwise recognizable deferred
tax assets due to the uncertainty surrounding the timing or ultimate realization
of the benefits of our net operating loss carryforwards in future periods.
DISCONTINUED
OPERATIONS
Income
from discontinued operations, net of income taxes totaled $1.7 million in
the
first nine months of 2005 as compared to $0.1 million in the same period
of the
prior year. As a result of the sale of the Company’s SendTec marketing services
business which was completed in October 2005, the results of SendTec’s
operations have been reported as discontinued operations in the accompanying
condensed consolidated statements of operations. The nine months ended September
30, 2004 includes the results of only one month of SendTec’s operations as
SendTec was originally acquired by the Company on September 1,
2004.
LIQUIDITY
AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
CASH
FLOW ITEMS
As
of
September 30, 2005, we had approximately $2.0 million in cash and cash
equivalents as compared to $6.8 million as of December 31, 2004. Net cash
used
in operating activities of continuing operations was $9.0 million and $14.1
million, for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
Notwithstanding an increase of approximately $1.5 million in the net loss
from
continuing operations in 2005 compared to 2004, net cash used in operating
activities of continuing operations increased by approximately $5.1 million
in
2005 compared to 2004 due primarily to the favorable impact of working capital
changes and higher non-cash interest expense.
Net
cash
and cash equivalents of $1.2 million were provided by our discontinued SendTec
operations during the nine months ended September 31, 2005 as compared to
a use
of $0.9 million in cash and cash equivalents by discontinued operations during
the same period of the prior year. The increase in the net income contribution
by SendTec was the principal factor resulting in the period-to-period increase
in cash and cash equivalents provided by discontinued operations. SendTec
was
acquired on September 1, 2004 and its results of operations were included
in the
Company’s consolidated results only since acquisition date.
Net
cash
and cash equivalents of $0.7 million were used in investing activities during
the nine months ended September 30, 2005 as compared to $4.8 million in the
same
period of the prior year. The Company incurred costs totaling $0.3 million
and
$2.2 million for capital expenditures of its continuing operations during
the
nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Capital
expenditures during both periods related primarily to the development of
its
VoIP telephony network, and during the prior year period included costs incurred
in the development of its VoIP customer billing system. We also loaned
approximately $0.3 million to Tralliance prior to its acquisition by the
Company
during each of the nine month periods ended September 30, 2005 and
2004.
Net
cash
and cash equivalents used in investing activities related to the Company’s
discontinued operations totaled approximately $0.2 million and $2.4 million
during the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. As
more
fully described in Note 3, “Discontinued Operations - SendTec, Inc.” in the
accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements, in connection with
its
acquisition of SendTec on September 1, 2004, the Company paid cash consideration
of approximately $6.0 million, excluding transaction costs. As of the date
of
acquisition, SendTec held approximately $3.6 million of cash. Thus, the Company
used a net amount of approximately $2.4 million of cash to acquire SendTec.
Net
cash
and cash equivalents provided by financing activities was $3.8 million and
$28.9
million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.
As
discussed previously, we issued $4.0 million in Convertible Notes during
the
first nine months of 2005. During March 2004, the Company completed a private
offering of its Common Stock and warrants to acquire its Common Stock, for
net
proceeds totaling approximately $27.0 million. In addition, on February 2,
2004,
the Company issued a $2,000,000 Bridge Note which was subsequently converted
into our Common Stock in connection with the March 2004 private
offering.
CAPITAL
TRANSACTIONS
On
August
10, 2005, we entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with RelationServe
Media,
Inc. ("RelationServe") whereby we agreed to sell all of the business and
substantially all of the net assets of our SendTec marketing services subsidiary
to RelationServe for $37.5 million in cash, subject to certain net working
capital adjustments. On August 23, 2005, we entered into Amendment No. 1
to the
Asset Purchase Agreement with RelationServe (the “1st
Amendment” and together with the original Asset Purchase Agreement, the
“Purchase Agreement”). On October 31, 2005, we completed the asset sale.
Including adjustments to the purchase price, related to excess working capital
of SendTec as of the date of sale, the Company received an aggregate of
approximately $39.9 million in cash pursuant to the Purchase Agreement. In
accordance with the terms of an escrow agreement established as a source
to
secure our indemnification obligations under the Purchase Agreement, $1.0
million of the purchase price and an aggregate of 2,272,727 shares of theglobe’s
unregistered Common Stock (valued at $750,000 pursuant to the terms of the
Purchase Agreement based upon the average closing price of the stock in the
10
day period preceding the closing of the sale) were placed into escrow. Any
of
the shares of Common Stock released from escrow to RelationServe will be
entitled to customary “piggy-back” registration rights.
Additionally,
as contemplated by the Purchase Agreement, immediately following the asset
sale,
we completed the redemption of 28,879,097 shares of our Common Stock owned
by
six members of management of SendTec for approximately $11.6 million in cash
pursuant to a Redemption Agreement dated August 23, 2005. Pursuant to a separate
Termination Agreement, we also terminated and canceled 1,275,783 stock options
and the contingent interest in 2,062,785 earn-out warrants held by the six
members of management in exchange for approximately $0.4 million in cash.
We
also terminated 829,678 stock options of certain other non-management employees
of SendTec and entered into bonus arrangements with a number of other
non-management SendTec employees for amounts totaling approximately $0.6
million.
On
May 9,
2005, we exercised our option to acquire all of the outstanding capital stock
of
Tralliance. The purchase price consisted of the issuance of 2.0 million shares
of theglobe.com Common Stock, warrants to acquire 475,000 shares of theglobe.com
Common Stock and $40,000 in cash. The warrants are exercisable for a period
of
five years at an exercise price of $0.11 per share. As part of the transaction,
10,000 shares of our Common Stock were also issued to a third party in payment
of a finder's fee resulting from the acquisition. The Common Stock issued
as a
result of the acquisition of Tralliance is entitled to certain "piggy-back"
registration rights.
On
April
22, 2005, E&C Capital Partners, LLLP and E&C Capital Partners II, Ltd.
(the "Noteholders"), entities controlled by the Company's Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer, entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement")
with
theglobe pursuant to which they acquired secured demand convertible promissory
notes (the "Convertible Notes") in the aggregate principal amount of $1.5
million. Under the terms of the Agreement, the Noteholders were also granted
the
optional right, for a period of 90 days from the date of the Agreement, to
purchase additional Convertible Notes such that the aggregate principal amount
of Convertible Notes issued under the Agreement could total $4.0 million
(the
"Option"). On June 1, 2005, the Noteholders exercised a portion of the Option
and acquired an additional $1.5 million of Convertible Notes. On July 18,
2005,
the Noteholders exercised the remainder of the Option and acquired an additional
$1.0 million of Convertible Notes.
The
Convertible Notes are convertible at the option of the Noteholders into shares
of the Company's Common Stock at an initial price of $0.05 per share. Through
November 10, 2005, an aggregate of $0.6 million of Convertible Notes were
converted by the Noteholders into an aggregate of 12 million shares of the
Company’s Common Stock. Assuming full conversion of all Convertible Notes which
remain outstanding as of November 10, 2005, an additional 68 million shares
of
the Company's Common Stock would be issued to the Noteholders. The Convertible
Notes provide for interest at the rate of ten percent per annum and are secured
by a pledge of substantially all of the assets of the Company. The Convertible
Notes are due and payable five days after demand for payment by the Noteholders.
FUTURE
CAPITAL NEEDS
As
a
result of the completion of the sale of our SendTec business on October 31,
2005, the Company received net cash proceeds of approximately $25.0 million
(after giving effect to the repurchase of shares and cancellation of options
and
warrants from SendTec management and certain employees and payment of all
other
direct transaction costs). The Company anticipates using its prior and current
year net operating losses to offset the recognized gain on the sale and
estimates that the total of federal and state income taxes to be paid in
connection with the gain on the sale of its SendTec business will not exceed
$1.0 million. We believe that these net cash proceeds provide sufficient
liquidity to enable the Company to operate its remaining businesses on a
going
concern basis while it completes the development of and begins the
implementation of a new strategic business plan. Our new business plan may
involve making certain changes to improve the profitability of existing
businesses or may instead result in decisions to sell or dispose of certain
unprofitable businesses or components. Additionally, we may use a portion
of the
net cash proceeds from the sale of the SendTec business to enter into one
or
more new businesses, through either acquisitions or internal
development.
The
Company continues to incur substantial consolidated net losses and management
believes the Company will continue to be unprofitable and use cash in its
operations for the foreseeable future. The Company's consolidated net losses
and
cash usage during its recent past and projected future periods relate primarily
to the operation of its VoIP telephony services business and to a lesser
extent
to corporate overhead expenses and the operations of its computer games
business.
In
order
to offer our VoIP services, we have invested substantial capital and made
substantial commitments related to the development of the VoIP network. The
VoIP
network is comprised of switching hardware and software, servers, billing
and
inventory systems, and telecommunications carrier services. We own and operate
VoIP equipment located in leased data center facilities in Miami, New York,
Atlanta and Boston, and interconnect this equipment utilizing a leased transport
network through numerous carrier agreements with third party providers. Through
these carrier relationships we are able to carry the traffic of our customers
over the Internet and interact with the public switched telephone network.
Based
upon our existing contractual commitments at September 30, 2005, minimum
amounts
payable during the next twelve months for network data center and carrier
circuit interconnection service expenses, exclusive of regulatory taxes,
fees
and charges, are approximately $1.0 million. The Company believes that the
capacity of its VoIP network, including its lease obligations relating to
such
network, will continue to be greatly in excess of customer demand and usage
levels for the foreseeable future. Therefore, the Company is currently
attempting to reduce its total commitment for future network data center
and
carrier circuit interconnection services, including further reducing the
$1.0
minimum amounts payable during the next twelve months.
The
Company has expended, particularly during 2004, significant costs to implement
a
number of marketing programs geared toward increasing the number of its VoIP
retail customers and telephony revenue. None of these programs have proven
to be
successful to any significant degree. Our inability to generate telephony
revenue sufficient to cover the fixed costs of operating our VoIP network,
including carrier, data center, personnel and administrative costs, as well
as
our marketing and other variable costs, has resulted in the Company incurring
substantial net losses during 2004 and during the first nine months of 2005.
During
the first quarter of 2005, the Company reevaluated its existing VoIP telephony
services business plan and subsequently terminated or is in the process of
terminating and/or modifying certain of its existing product offerings and
marketing programs. Additionally, the Company began to develop and test certain
new VoIP products and features, some of which were completed and released
during
the nine month period ended September 30, 2005. Additionally, in order to
reduce
its near term consolidated net losses and cash usage, the Company implemented
a
number of cost-reduction actions at its VoIP telephony services business,
including decreases in personnel and salary levels, carrier and data center
costs (including the minimum commitment costs discussed above), and
marketing/advertising expenses during the first quarter of 2005.
Management
believes that it will be difficult to implement its new VoIP product and
marketing plans, once fully developed and tested, without significant additional
cash being invested in its VoIP business. Accordingly, in November 2005 we
engaged a financial advisor to assist the Company in seeking out prospective
parties who would be interested in either acquiring all or part of our VoIP
business or alternatively partnering with the Company by making strategic
investments in our Common Stock. While the Company pursues a prospective
purchaser for its VoIP business or a strategic investor, it plans to continue
to
improve the quality of the products, services and operations of its VoIP
business, while at the same time seeking to limit the losses and cash usage
attributable to its VoIP business operations. Other than existing network
technology commitments totaling approximately $0.4 million no other significant
capital expenditures are planned for the VoIP telephony services segment
or any
of the Company’s other business segments at the present time.
The
Company has recently made a number of operational changes in its computer
games
business, including the implementation of an online games auction website.
Pending the completion of its 2006 computer games business plan, additional
operations changes geared mainly toward achieving profitability and positioning
the computer games business for future growth, are expected to be implemented
by
the first quarter of 2006.
Tralliance,
the Company’s Internet services business, began collecting fees related to its
“.travel” registry business in October 2005. Having recently emerged from its
development stage, Tralliance is now in the beginning stages of a phased
launch
of its “.travel” registry business, including implementation of initial
advertising programs. Tralliance is also in the process of developing its
marketing plan for fiscal 2006, the implementation of which may require
substantial cash expenditures.
Subsequent
to the receipt of approximately $25.0 million in net cash proceeds from the
sale
of our SendTec business on October 31, 2005, the Company repaid the $1.0
million
subordinated promissory note issued in connection with the SendTec acquisition
along with accrued interest of approximately $66,000. The Company also made
vendor payments totaling approximately $1.0 million related to delinquent
accounts payable invoices and paid bonuses to certain Company officers,
employees and consultants totaling approximately $4.0 million during the
early
part of November 2005. The bonus payments, the majority of which related
to the
successful sale of the Company’s SendTec business, will increase the net loss
expected to be reported for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005. As of November
10, 2005, the Company’s total cash and cash equivalents balance was
approximately $20.0 million, inclusive of $1.0 million held in escrow to
secure
the Company’s indemnification obligations related to the sale of the SendTec
business. Management believes that its current cash resources balance provides
sufficient liquidity to enable the Company to operate as a going concern
through
at least the end of 2006. The Company currently has no access to credit
facilities with traditional third party lenders and its longer term viability
will be determined mainly by its ability to successfully execute its existing
and future business plans.
The
shares of our Common Stock were delisted from the NASDAQ national market
in
April 2001 and are now traded in the over-the-counter market on what is commonly
referred to as the electronic bulletin board or OTCBB. Since the trading
price
of our Common Stock is less than $5.00 per share, trading in our Common Stock
is
also subject to the requirements of Rule 15g-9 of the Exchange Act. Our Common
Stock is also considered a penny stock under the Securities Enforcement Remedies
and Penny Stock Reform Act of 1990, which defines a penny stock, generally,
as
any equity security not traded on an exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq SmallCap
Market that has a market price of less than $5.00 per share. Under Rule 15g-9,
brokers who recommend our Common Stock to persons who are not established
customers and accredited investors, as defined in the Exchange Act, must
satisfy
special sales practice requirements, including requirements that they make
an
individualized written suitability determination for the purchaser; and receive
the purchaser's written consent prior to the transaction. The Securities
Enforcement Remedies and Penny Stock Reform Act of 1990 also requires additional
disclosures in connection with any trades involving a penny stock, including
the
delivery, prior to any penny stock transaction, of a disclosure schedule
explaining the penny stock market and the risks associated with that market.
Such requirements may severely limit the market liquidity of our Common Stock
and the ability of purchasers of our equity securities to sell their securities
in the secondary market. Consequently, it has also made it more difficult
for us
to raise additional capital, although the Company has had some success in
offering its securities as consideration for the acquisition of various business
opportunities or assets. We may also incur additional costs under state blue
sky
laws if we sell equity due to our delisting.
EFFECTS
OF INFLATION
Due
to
relatively low levels of inflation in 2005 and 2004, inflation has not had
a
significant effect on our results of operations since inception.
MANAGEMENT'S
DISCUSSION OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
The
preparation of our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities
and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting
period. Our estimates, judgments and assumptions are continually evaluated
based
on available information and experience. Because of the use of estimates
inherent in the financial reporting process, actual results could differ
from
those estimates.
Certain
of our accounting policies require higher degrees of judgment than others
in
their application. These include revenue recognition, valuation of customer
receivables, valuation of inventories, valuation of goodwill, intangible
assets
and other long-lived assets and capitalization of computer software costs.
Our
accounting policies and procedures related to these areas are summarized
below.
REVENUE
RECOGNITION
The
Company's revenue from continuing operations was derived principally from
the
sale of print advertisements under short-term contracts in our games information
magazine Computer Games; through the sale of our games information magazine
through newsstands and subscriptions; from the sale of video games and related
products through our online store Chips & Bits; and from the sale of VoIP
telephony services. There is no certainty that events beyond anyone's control
such as economic downturns or significant decreases in the demand for our
services and products will not occur and accordingly, cause significant
decreases in revenue.
COMPUTER
GAMES BUSINESSES
Advertising
revenues for the Company's magazine publications are recognized at the on-sale
date of the magazine.
Newsstand
sales of the Company's magazine publications are recognized at the on-sale
date
of the magazine, net of provisions for estimated returns. Subscription revenue,
which is net of agency fees, is deferred when initially received and recognized
as income ratably over the subscription term.
Sales
of
video games and related products from the online store are recognized as
revenue
when the product is shipped to the customer. Amounts billed to customers
for
shipping and handling charges are included in net revenue. The Company provides
an allowance for returns of merchandise sold through its online store. The
allowance provided to date has not been significant.
VOIP
TELEPHONY SERVICES
VoIP
telephony services revenue represents fees charged to customers for voice
services and is recognized based on minutes of customer usage or as services
are
provided. The Company records payments received in advance for prepaid services
as deferred revenue until the related services are provided. Sales of peripheral
VoIP telephony equipment are recognized as revenue when the product is shipped
to the customer. Amounts billed to customers for shipping and handling charges
are included in net revenue.
DISCONTINUED
OPERATIONS---MARKETING SERVICES
Revenue
from the distribution of Internet advertising is recognized when Internet
users
visit and complete actions at an advertiser's website. Revenue consists of
the
gross value of billings to clients, including the recovery of costs incurred
to
acquire online media required to execute client campaigns. Recorded revenue
is
based upon reports generated by the Company's tracking software.
Revenue
derived from the purchase and tracking of direct response media, such as
television and radio commercials, is recognized on a net basis when the
associated media is aired. In many cases, the amount the Company bills to
clients significantly exceeds the amount of revenue that is earned due to
the
existence of various "pass-through" charges such as the cost of the television
and radio media. Amounts received in advance of media airings are deferred.
Revenue
generated from the production of direct response advertising programs, such
as
infomercials, is recognized on the completed contract method when such programs
are complete and available for airing. Production activities generally take
eight to twelve weeks and the Company usually collects amounts in advance
and at
various points throughout the production process. Amounts received from
customers prior to completion of commercials are included in deferred revenue
and direct costs associated with the production of commercials in process
are
deferred.
VALUATION
OF CUSTOMER RECEIVABLES
Provisions
for the allowance for doubtful accounts are made based on historical loss
experience adjusted for specific credit risks. Measurement of such losses
requires consideration of the Company's historical loss experience, judgments
about customer credit risk, and the need to adjust for current economic
conditions.
VALUATION
OF INVENTORIES
Inventories
are recorded on a first-in, first-out basis and valued at the lower of cost
or
market value. We generally manage our inventory levels based on internal
forecasts of customer demand for our products, which is difficult to predict
and
can fluctuate substantially. Our inventories include high technology items
that
are specialized in nature or subject to rapid obsolescence. If our demand
forecast is greater than the actual customer demand for our products, we
may be
required to record charges related to increases in our inventory valuation
reserves. The value of our inventory is also dependent on our estimate of
future
average selling prices, and, if our projected average selling prices are
over
estimated, we may be required to adjust our inventory value to reflect the
lower
of cost or market.
GOODWILL
AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS
In
June
2001, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement
of
Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 141, "Business Combinations"
and
SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets." SFAS No. 141 requires
that
certain acquired intangible assets in a business combination be recognized
as
assets separate from goodwill. SFAS No. 142 requires that goodwill and other
intangibles with indefinite lives should no longer be amortized, but rather
tested for impairment annually or on an interim basis if events or circumstances
indicate that the fair value of the asset has decreased below its carrying
value.
Our
policy calls for the assessment of the potential impairment of goodwill and
other identifiable intangibles with indefinite lives whenever events or changes
in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable
or at
least on an annual basis. Some factors we consider important which could
trigger
an impairment review include the following:
o |
significant
under-performance relative to historical, expected or projected
future
operating results;
|
o |
significant
changes in the manner of our use of the acquired assets or the
strategy
for our overall business; and
|
o |
significant
negative industry or economic trends.
|
When
we
determine that the carrying value of goodwill or other identified intangibles
with indefinite lives may not be recoverable, we measure any impairment based
on
a projected discounted cash flow method.
LONG-LIVED
ASSETS
Historically,
the Company's long-lived assets, other than goodwill, have primarily consisted
of property and equipment, capitalized costs of internal-use software, values
attributable to covenants not to compete, acquired technology and patent
costs.
Long-lived
assets held and used by the Company and intangible assets with determinable
lives are reviewed for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate
that
the carrying amount of assets may not be recoverable in accordance with SFAS
No.
144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets." We
evaluate recoverability of assets to be held and used by comparing the carrying
amount of the assets, or the appropriate grouping of assets, to an estimate
of
undiscounted future cash flows to be generated by the assets, or asset group.
If
such assets are considered to be impaired, the impairment to be recognized
is
measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds
the
fair value of the assets. Fair values are based on quoted market values,
if
available. If quoted market prices are not available, the estimate of fair
value
may be based on the discounted value of the estimated future cash flows
attributable to the assets, or other valuation techniques deemed reasonable
in
the circumstances.
CAPITALIZATION
OF COMPUTER SOFTWARE COSTS
The
Company capitalizes the cost of internal-use software which has a useful
life in
excess of one year in accordance with Statement of Position No. 98-1,
"Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for
Internal Use." Subsequent additions, modifications, or upgrades to internal-use
software are capitalized only to the extent that they allow the software
to
perform a task it previously did not perform. Software maintenance and training
costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. Capitalized
computer software costs are amortized using the straight-line method over
the
expected useful life, or three years.
IMPACT
OF RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In
May
2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, "Accounting for Changes and Error
Corrections, a Replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3."
SFAS
154 applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principles and requires
retrospective application to prior periods' financial statements of changes
in
accounting principles. This statement also requires that a change in
depreciation, amortization or depletion method for long-lived, non-financial
assets be accounted for as a change in accounting estimate effected by a
change
in accounting principle. SFAS 154 carries forward without change the guidance
contained in APB Opinion No. 20 for reporting the correction of an error
in
previously issued financial statements and a change in accounting estimate.
This
statement is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made
in
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. The Company does not expect
the
adoption of this standard to have a material impact on its financial condition,
results of operations or liquidity.
In
March
2005, the FASB issued Interpretation ("FIN") No. 47, "Accounting for Conditional
Asset Retirement Obligations," an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 143,
"Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations." The interpretation clarifies
that
the term conditional asset retirement obligation refers to a legal obligation
to
perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and/or method of
settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within
the
control of the entity. An entity is required to recognize a liability for
the
fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation if the fair value
of the
liability can be reasonably estimated. FIN 47 also clarifies when an entity
would have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the fair value of
an
asset retirement obligation. The effective date of this interpretation is
no
later than the end of fiscal years ending after December 15, 2005. The Company
is currently investigating the effect, if any, that FIN 47 would have on
the
Company's financial position, cash flows and results of operations.
In
December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 153, "Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets,
an amendment of APB Opinion No. 29." SFAS No. 153 requires exchanges of
productive assets to be accounted for at fair value, rather than at carryover
basis, unless (1) neither the asset received nor the asset surrendered has
a
fair value that is determinable within reasonable limits or (2) the transactions
lack commercial substance. This statement is effective for nonmonetary asset
exchanges occurring in fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005. The
Company
does not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on
its
financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.
In
December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123R, "Share-Based Payment." This
standard replaces SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation"
and
supersedes Accounting Principles Board ("APB") Opinion No. 25, "Accounting
for
Stock Issued to Employees." The standard requires companies to expense the
fair
value of stock options on the grant date and is effective for annual periods
beginning after June 15, 2005. In accordance with the revised statement,
the
expense attributable to stock options granted or vested subsequent to January
1,
2006 will be required to be recognized by the Company. The precise impact
of the
adoption of SFAS No. 123R cannot be predicted at this time because it will
depend on the levels of share-based payments that are granted in the future.
However, the Company believes that the adoption of this standard may have
a
significant effect on the Company's results of operations or financial position.
In
November 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 151, "Inventory Costs - An Amendment
of
ARB No. 43, Chapter 4." SFAS No. 151 requires all companies to recognize
a
current-period charge for abnormal amounts of idle facility expense, freight,
handling costs and wasted materials. This statement also requires that the
allocation of fixed production overhead to the costs of conversion be based
on
the normal capacity of the production facilities. SFAS No. 151 will be effective
for fiscal years beginning after June 15, 2005. The Company does not expect
the
adoption of this statement to have a material effect on its consolidated
financial statements.
In
December 2003, the FASB issued FIN No. 46-R "Consolidation of Variable Interest
Entities." FIN 46-R, which modifies certain provisions and effective dates
of
FIN 46, sets forth the criteria to be used in determining whether an investment
in a variable interest entity should be consolidated. These provisions are
based
on the general premise that if a company controls another entity through
interests other than voting interests, that company should consolidate the
controlled entity. The Company believes that currently, it does not have
any
material arrangements that meet the definition of a variable interest entity
which would require consolidation.
RISK
FACTORS
In
addition to the other information in this report, the following factors should
be carefully considered in evaluating our business and prospects.
RISKS
RELATING TO OUR BUSINESS GENERALLY
WE
HAVE A HISTORY OF OPERATING LOSSES AND EXPECT TO CONTINUE TO INCUR
LOSSES.
Since
our
inception, we have incurred net losses in each quarter, except the fourth
quarter of 2002 where we had net income of approximately $17,000. We expect
that
we will continue to incur net losses for the foreseeable future. We had net
losses of approximately $24.3 million and $11.0 million for the years ended
December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and approximately $15.8 million
for
the first nine months of 2005. The principal causes of our losses are likely
to
continue to be:
o |
costs
resulting from the operation of our businesses;
|
o |
costs
relating to entering new business lines;
|
o |
failure
to generate sufficient revenue; and
|
o |
selling,
general and administrative expenses.
|
Although
we have restructured our businesses, we still expect to continue to incur
losses
as we continue to develop our VoIP telephony services business and while
we
explore a number of strategic alternatives for our businesses, including
continuing to operate the businesses, selling certain businesses or assets,
or
acquiring or developing additional businesses or complementary products.
WE
MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE AS A GOING CONCERN.
We
received a report from our independent accountants, relating to our December
31,
2004 audited financial statements, containing an explanatory paragraph stating
that our recurring losses from operations and our accumulated deficit raise
substantial doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. Based
upon
the net proceeds received from the sale of our SendTec business on October
31,
2005, management believes that the Company has sufficient liquidity to operate
as a going concern through at least the end of 2006. In order to assure its
longer term financial viability, the Company must complete the development
of
and successfully implement its new strategic business plan. The Company’s new
business plan may include making certain changes which transform its
unprofitable businesses into profitable ones, selling or otherwise disposing
of
businesses or components, acquiring or internally developing new profitable
businesses, including Tralliance, and/or raising additional equity capital.
There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in taking any
of
the above actions which would enable it to continue as a going concern on
a
long-term future basis (see the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section of
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations for further details).
OUR
ENTRY INTO NEW LINES OF BUSINESS, AS WELL AS POTENTIAL FUTURE ACQUISITIONS,
JOINT VENTURES OR STRATEGIC TRANSACTIONS ENTAILS NUMEROUS RISKS AND
UNCERTAINTIES.
We
have
entered into new business lines: VoIP telephony services and Internet services.
In November 2002, we acquired certain VoIP assets from an entrepreneur in
exchange for 1,750,000 warrants to purchase our Common Stock. On May 28,
2003,
we acquired Direct Partner Telecom, Inc. ("DPT"), an international licensed
telecommunications carrier then engaged in the purchase and resale of
telecommunication services over the Internet. On May 9, 2005, we acquired
Tralliance Corporation ("Tralliance"), an Internet related business venture.
Tralliance was recently awarded the contract to operate as the registry for
the
".travel" top-level domain by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names
and
Numbers. We may also enter into new or different lines of business, as
determined by management and our Board of Directors. Our acquisitions, as
well
as any future acquisitions or joint ventures could result, and in some instances
have resulted in numerous risks and uncertainties, including:
o |
potentially
dilutive issuances of equity securities, which may be issued at
the time
of the transaction or in the future if certain performance or other
criteria are met or not met, as the case may be. These securities
may be
freely tradable in the public market or subject to registration
rights
which could require us to publicly register a large amount of our
Common
Stock, which could have a material adverse effect on our stock
price;
|
o |
diversion
of management's attention and resources from our existing businesses;
|
o |
significant
write-offs if we determine that the business acquisition does not
fit or
perform up to expectations;
|
o |
the
incurrence of debt and contingent liabilities or impairment charges
related to goodwill and other long-lived assets;
|
o |
difficulties
in the assimilation of operations, personnel, technologies, products
and
information systems of the acquired companies;
|
o |
regulatory
and tax risks relating to the new or acquired business;
|
o |
the
risks of entering geographic and business markets in which we have
no or
limited prior experience;
|
o |
the
risk that the acquired business will not perform as expected; and
|
o |
material
decreases in short-term or long-term liquidity.
|
THE
ANTICIPATED BENEFITS OF THE SENDTEC ASSET SALE MAY NOT BE
REALIZED.
The
cash
proceeds received from the SendTec Asset Sale are expected to provide sufficient
liquidity to enable the Company to operate on a going concern basis and to
complete the development of and begin the implementation of a strategic business
plan. SendTec represented the Company’s only profitable business, with its VoIP
telephony services and computer games businesses continuing to incur operating
losses at the present time. It’s newly acquired Internet services business,
Tralliance Corporation (“Tralliance”), is in the process of evolving from the
start-up phase of its operations and began collecting fees for its services
in
October 2005. In order to capitalize on and realize the benefits of the SendTec
Asset Sale, the Company must either sell or otherwise dispose of unprofitable
businesses, make changes which transform unprofitable businesses into profitable
ones, and/or acquire or internally develop new profitable businesses, including
Tralliance. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful
in
taking any of the above actions which would enable it to achieve satisfactory
investment returns in future periods and realize the benefits of selling
its
SendTec business.
THE
MARKET PRICE OF OUR COMMON STOCK MAY DECLINE AS A RESULT OF THE SENDTEC ASSET
SALE.
The
market price of our Common Stock may decline as a result of the SendTec Asset
Sale if:
o |
the
sale of the SendTec business, theglobe’s only profitable business, is
perceived negatively by investors; or
|
o |
investors
become skeptical that theglobe can invest the cash proceeds received
for
the SendTec Asset Sale in businesses that have acceptable returns
on
investment in future periods.
|
The
market price of theglobe.com’s Common Stock could also decline as a result of
unforeseen factors related to the SendTec Asset Sale.
OUR
NET OPERATING LOSS CARRYFORWARDS MAY BE LIMITED.
As
of
December 31, 2004, we had net operating loss carryforwards potentially available
for U.S. and foreign tax purposes of approximately $162 million. These
carryforwards expire through 2024. The Tax Reform Act of 1986 imposes
substantial restrictions on the utilization of net operating losses and tax
credits in the event of an "ownership change" of a corporation. Due to various
significant changes in our ownership interests, as defined in the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, commencing in August 1997 through our most
recent issuance of convertible notes in July 2005, and assuming conversion
of
such notes, we may have substantially limited or eliminated the availability
of
our net operating loss carryforwards. There can be no assurance that we will
be
able to utilize any net operating loss carryforwards in the future.
WE
DEPEND ON THE CONTINUED GROWTH IN THE USE AND COMMERCIAL VIABILITY OF THE
INTERNET.
Our
VoIP
telephony services business, Internet services business and computer games
businesses are substantially dependent upon the continued growth in the general
use of the Internet. Internet and electronic commerce growth may be inhibited
for a number of reasons, including:
o |
inadequate
network infrastructure;
|
o |
security
and authentication concerns;
|
o |
inadequate
quality and availability of cost-effective, high-speed service;
|
o |
general
economic and business downturns; and
|
o |
catastrophic
events, including war and terrorism.
|
As
web
usage grows, the Internet infrastructure may not be able to support the demands
placed on it by this growth or its performance and reliability may decline.
Websites have experienced interruptions in their service as a result of outages
and other delays occurring throughout the Internet network infrastructure.
If
these outages or delays frequently occur in the future, web usage, as well
as
usage of our services, could grow more slowly or decline. Also, the Internet's
commercial viability may be significantly hampered due to:
o |
delays
in the development or adoption of new operating and technical standards
and performance improvements required to handle increased levels
of
activity;
|
o |
increased
government regulation;
|
o |
potential
governmental taxation of such services; and
|
o |
insufficient
availability of telecommunications services which could result
in slower
response times and adversely affect usage of the Internet.
|
WE
MAY FACE INCREASED GOVERNMENT REGULATION, TAXATION AND LEGAL UNCERTAINTIES
IN
OUR INDUSTRY, WHICH COULD HARM OUR BUSINESS.
There
are
an increasing number of federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations
pertaining to the Internet and telecommunications. In addition, a number
of
federal, state, local and foreign legislative and regulatory proposals are
under
consideration. Laws or regulations have been and may continue to be adopted
with
respect to the Internet relating to, among other things, fees and taxation
of
VoIP telephony services, liability for information retrieved from or transmitted
over the Internet, online content regulation, user privacy, data protection,
pricing, content, copyrights, distribution, electronic contracts and other
communications, consumer protection, public safety issues like enhanced 911
emergency service ("E911"), the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement
Act ("CALEA"), the provision of online payment services, broadband residential
Internet access, and the characteristics and quality of products and services.
Changes
in tax laws relating to electronic commerce could materially affect our
business, prospects and financial condition. One or more states or foreign
countries may seek to impose sales or other tax collection obligations on
out-of-jurisdiction companies that engage in electronic commerce. A successful
assertion by one or more states or foreign countries that we should collect
sales or other taxes on services could result in substantial tax liabilities
for
past sales, decrease our ability to compete with traditional telephony, and
otherwise harm our business.
Currently,
decisions of the U.S. Supreme Court restrict the imposition of obligations
to
collect state and local sales and use taxes with respect to electronic commerce.
However, a number of states, as well as the U.S. Congress, have been considering
various initiatives that could limit or supersede the Supreme Court's position
regarding sales and use taxes on electronic commerce. If any of these
initiatives addressed the Supreme Court's constitutional concerns and resulted
in a reversal of its current position, we could be required to collect sales
and
use taxes. The imposition by state and local governments of various taxes
upon
electronic commerce could create administrative burdens for us and could
adversely affect our VoIP business operations, and ultimately our financial
condition, operating results and future prospects.
Regardless
of the type of state tax imposed, the threshold issue involving state taxation
of any transaction is always whether sufficient nexus, or contact, exists
between the taxing entity and the taxpayer or the transaction to which the
tax
is being applied. The concept of nexus is constantly changing and no bright
line
exists that would sufficiently alert a business as to whether it is subject
to
tax in a specific jurisdiction. All states which have attempted to tax Internet
access or online services have done so by asserting that the sale of such
telecommunications services, information services, data processing services
or
other type of transaction is subject to tax in that particular state.
A
handful
of states impose taxes on computer services, data processing services,
information services and other similar types of services. Some of these states
have asserted that Internet access and/or online information services are
subject to these taxes.
Most
states have telecommunications sales or gross receipts taxes imposed on
interstate calls or transmissions of data. A sizable minority tax only
intrastate calls. Although these taxes were enacted long before the birth
of
electronic commerce and VoIP, several states have asserted that Internet
access
and/or online information services are subject to these taxes.
For
example, in the 2005 Florida legislative session, Florida incorporated into
the
tax imposed by Chapter 202, Florida Statutes, (the Communications Services
Tax)
language which establishes tax nexus in Florida for VoIP. The Florida
legislature inserted this language to protect the scope of the tax base for
the
Communications Services Tax. The language could have the effect of imposing
the
Communications Services Tax on VoIP services not based in the state of Florida.
The
Florida legislature borrowed the language that it used to amend the Florida
Statute from the national Streamlined Sales Tax Project. This project is
being
touted by many states as a proposed tax simplification plan. If adopted by
other
states, the language included in the Florida law could have a far reaching
effect in many states in the United States.
Moreover,
the applicability to the Internet of existing laws governing issues such
as
intellectual property ownership and infringement, copyright, trademark, trade
secret, obscenity, libel, employment and personal privacy is uncertain and
developing. It is not clear how existing laws governing issues such as property
ownership, sales and other taxes, libel, and personal privacy apply to the
Internet and electronic commerce. Any new legislation or regulation, or the
application or interpretation of existing laws or regulations, may decrease
the
growth in the use of the Internet or VoIP telephony services, may impose
additional burdens on electronic commerce or may alter how we do business.
This
could decrease the demand for our existing or proposed services, increase
our
cost of doing business, increase the costs of products sold through the Internet
or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, plans, prospects,
results of operations and financial condition.
Our
ability to offer VoIP services outside the U.S. is also subject to the local
regulatory environment, which may be complicated and often uncertain. Regulatory
treatment of Internet telephony outside the United States varies from country
to
country.
WE
RELY ON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AND PROPRIETARY RIGHTS.
We
regard
substantial elements of our websites and underlying technology, as well as
certain assets relating to our VoIP business and other opportunities we are
investigating, as proprietary and attempt to protect them by relying on
intellectual property laws and restrictions on disclosure. We also generally
enter into confidentiality agreements with our employees and consultants.
In
connection with our license agreements with third parties, we generally seek
to
control access to and distribution of our technology and other proprietary
information. Despite these precautions, it may be possible for a third party
to
copy or otherwise obtain and use our proprietary information without
authorization or to develop similar technology independently. Thus, we cannot
assure you that the steps taken by us will prevent misappropriation or
infringement of our proprietary information, which could have an adverse
effect
on our business. In addition, our competitors may independently develop similar
technology, duplicate our products, or design around our intellectual property
rights.
We
pursue
the registration of our trademarks in the United States and, in some cases,
internationally. We are also seeking patent protection for certain VoIP assets
which we acquired or which we have developed. However, effective intellectual
property protection may not be available in every country in which our services
are distributed or made available through the Internet. Policing unauthorized
use of our proprietary information is difficult. Legal standards relating
to the
validity, enforceability and scope of protection of proprietary rights in
Internet related businesses are also uncertain and still evolving. We cannot
assure you about the future viability or value of any of our proprietary
rights.
Litigation
may be necessary in the future to enforce our intellectual property rights
or to
determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others. However,
we may not have sufficient funds or personnel to adequately litigate or
otherwise protect our rights. Furthermore, we cannot assure you that our
business activities and product offerings will not infringe upon the proprietary
rights of others, or that other parties will not assert infringement claims
against us, including claims related to providing hyperlinks to websites
operated by third parties or providing advertising on a keyword basis that
links
a specific search term entered by a user to the appearance of a particular
advertisement. Moreover, from time to time, third parties have asserted and
may
in the future assert claims of alleged infringement by us of their intellectual
property rights. Sprint recently filed one such lawsuit against us and our
voiceglo subsidiary alleging infringement by us. Any litigation claims or
counterclaims could impair our business because they could:
o |
be
time-consuming;
|
o |
result
in significant costs;
|
o |
subject
us to significant liability for damages;
|
o |
result
in invalidation of our proprietary rights;
|
o |
divert
management's attention;
|
o |
cause
product release delays; or
|
o |
require
us to redesign our products or require us to enter into royalty
or
licensing agreements that may not be available on terms acceptable
to us,
or at all.
|
We
license from third parties various technologies incorporated into our products,
networks and sites. We cannot assure you that these third-party technology
licenses will continue to be available to us on commercially reasonable terms.
Additionally, we cannot assure you that the third parties from which we license
our technology will be able to defend our proprietary rights successfully
against claims of infringement. As a result, our inability to obtain any
of
these technology licenses could result in delays or reductions in the
introduction of new products and services or could adversely affect the
performance of our existing products and services until equivalent technology
can be identified, licensed and integrated.
The
regulation of domain names in the United States and in foreign countries
may
change. Regulatory bodies could establish and have established additional
top-level domains, could appoint additional domain name registrars or could
modify the requirements for holding domain names, any or all of which may
dilute
the strength of our names or our “.travel” domain registry business. We may not
acquire or maintain our domain names in all of the countries in which our
websites may be accessed, or for any or all of the top-level domain names
that
may be introduced. The relationship between regulations governing domain
names
and laws protecting proprietary rights is unclear. Therefore, we may not
be able
to prevent third parties from acquiring domain names that infringe or otherwise
decrease the value of our trademarks and other proprietary rights.
WE
MAY BE UNSUCCESSFUL IN ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING BRAND AWARENESS; BRAND
IDENTITY IS CRITICAL TO OUR COMPANY.
Our
success in the markets in which we operate will depend on our ability to
create
and maintain brand awareness for our product offerings. This has in some
cases
required, and may continue to require, a significant amount of capital to
allow
us to market our products and establish brand recognition and customer loyalty.
Many of our competitors are larger than us and have substantially greater
financial resources. Additionally, many of the companies offering VoIP services
have already established their brand identity within the marketplace. We
can
offer no assurances that we will be successful in establishing awareness
of our
brand allowing us to compete in the VoIP market.
If
we
fail to promote and maintain our various brands or our businesses' brand
values
are diluted, our businesses, operating results, financial condition, and
our
ability to attract buyers for any of our businesses could be materially
adversely affected. The importance of brand recognition will continue to
increase because low barriers of entry to the industries in which we operate
may
result in an increased number of direct competitors. To promote our brands,
we
may be required to continue to increase our financial commitment to creating
and
maintaining brand awareness. We may not generate a corresponding increase
in
revenue to justify these costs.
OUR
QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS FLUCTUATE.
Due
to
our significant change in operations, including the entry into new lines
of
business and disposition of other lines of business, our historical quarterly
operating results are not necessarily reflective of future results. The factors
that will cause our quarterly operating results to fluctuate in the future
include:
o |
acquisitions
of new businesses or sales of our businesses or assets;
|
o |
changes
in the number of sales or technical employees;
|
o |
the
level of traffic on our websites;
|
o |
the
overall demand for Internet telephony services, print, television,
radio
and Internet advertising and electronic commerce;
|
o |
the
addition or loss of VoIP customers, advertisers of our computer
games
businesses, subscribers to our magazine, and electronic commerce
partners
on our websites;
|
o |
overall
usage and acceptance of the Internet;
|
o |
seasonal
trends in advertising and electronic commerce sales and member
usage in
our businesses;
|
o |
costs
relating to the implementation or cessation of marketing plans
for our
various lines of business;
|
o |
other
costs relating to the maintenance of our operations;
|
o |
the
restructuring of our business;
|
o |
failure
to generate significant revenues and profit margins from new products
and
services; and
|
o |
competition
from others providing services similar to ours.
|
OUR
LIMITED OPERATING HISTORY MAKES FINANCIAL FORECASTING DIFFICULT. OUR
INEXPERIENCE IN THE VOIP TELEPHONY BUSINESS AND INTERNET SERVICES BUSINESS
WILL
MAKE FINANCIAL FORECASTING EVEN MORE DIFFICULT.
We
have a
limited operating history for you to use in evaluating our prospects and
us. Our
prospects should be considered in light of the risks encountered by companies
operating in new and rapidly evolving markets like ours. We may not successfully
address these risks. For example, we may not be able to:
o |
maintain
or increase levels of user traffic on our e-commerce websites;
|
o |
attract
customers to our VoIP telephony service;
|
o |
adequately
forecast anticipated customer purchase and usage of our retail
VoIP
products;
|
o |
maintain
or increase advertising revenue for our magazines;
|
o |
adapt
to meet changes in our markets and competitive developments; and
|
o |
identify,
attract, retain and motivate qualified personnel.
|
OUR
MANAGEMENT TEAM IS INEXPERIENCED IN THE MANAGEMENT OF A LARGE OPERATING COMPANY.
Only
our
Chairman has had experience managing a large operating company. Accordingly,
we
cannot assure you that:
o |
our
key employees will be able to work together effectively as a team;
|
o |
we
will be able to retain the remaining members of our management
team;
|
o |
we
will be able to hire, train and manage our employee base;
|
o |
our
systems, procedures or controls will be adequate to support our
operations; and
|
o |
our
management will be able to achieve the rapid execution necessary
to fully
exploit the market opportunity for our products and services.
|
WE
DEPEND ON HIGHLY QUALIFIED TECHNICAL AND MANAGERIAL PERSONNEL.
Our
future success also depends on our continuing ability to attract, retain
and
motivate highly qualified technical expertise and managerial personnel necessary
to operate our businesses. We may need to give retention bonuses and stock
incentives to certain employees to keep them, which can be costly to us.
The
loss of the services of members of our management team or other key personnel
could harm our business. Our future success depends to a significant extent
on
the continued service of key management, client service, product development,
sales and technical personnel. We do not maintain key person life insurance
on
any of our executive officers and do not intend to purchase any in the future.
Although we generally enter into non-competition agreements with our key
employees, our business could be harmed if one or more of our officers or
key
employees decided to join a competitor or otherwise compete with us.
We
may be
unable to attract, assimilate or retain highly qualified technical and
managerial personnel in the future. Wages for managerial and technical employees
are increasing and are expected to continue to increase in the future. We
have
from time to time in the past experienced, and could continue to experience
in
the future if we need to hire any additional personnel, difficulty in hiring
and
retaining highly skilled employees with appropriate qualifications. Also,
we may
have difficulty attracting qualified employees to work in the geographically
remote location in Vermont of Chips & Bits, Inc. and Strategy Plus, Inc. If
we were unable to attract and retain the technical and managerial personnel
necessary to support and grow our businesses, our businesses would likely
be
materially and adversely affected.
OUR
OFFICERS, INCLUDING OUR CHAIRMAN AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND PRESIDENT
HAVE
OTHER INTERESTS AND TIME COMMITMENTS; WE HAVE CONFLICTS OF INTEREST WITH
SOME OF
OUR DIRECTORS; ALL OF OUR DIRECTORS ARE EMPLOYEES OR STOCKHOLDERS OF THE
COMPANY
OR AFFILIATES OF OUR LARGEST STOCKHOLDER.
Because
our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Michael Egan, is an officer
or
director of other companies, we have to compete for his time. Mr. Egan became
our Chief Executive Officer effective June 1, 2002. Mr. Egan is also the
controlling investor of Dancing Bear Investments, Inc., an entity controlled
by
Mr. Egan, which is our largest stockholder. Mr. Egan has not committed to
devote
any specific percentage of his business time with us. Accordingly, we compete
with Dancing Bear Investments, Inc. and Mr. Egan's other related entities
for
his time.
Our
President, Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer and Director, Mr. Edward
A.
Cespedes, is also an officer or director of other companies. Accordingly,
we
must compete for his time. Mr. Cespedes is an officer or director of various
privately held entities and is also affiliated with Dancing Bear Investments,
Inc.
Our
Vice
President of Finance and Director, Ms. Robin Lebowitz is also affiliated
with
Dancing Bear Investments, Inc. She is also an officer or director of other
companies or entities controlled by Mr. Egan and Mr. Cespedes.
Due
to
the relationships with his related entities, Mr. Egan will have an inherent
conflict of interest in making any decision related to transactions between
the
related entities and us, including investment in our securities. Furthermore,
the Company's Board of Directors presently is comprised entirely of individuals
which are employees of theglobe, and therefore are not "independent." We
intend
to review related party transactions in the future on a case-by-case
basis.
WE
RELY ON THIRD PARTY OUTSOURCED HOSTING FACILITIES OVER WHICH WE HAVE LIMITED
CONTROL.
Our
principal servers are located in Florida and New York primarily at third
party
outsourced hosting facilities. Our operations depend on the ability to protect
our systems against damage from unexpected events, including fire, power
loss,
water damage, telecommunications failures and vandalism. Any disruption in
our
Internet access could have a material adverse effect on us. In addition,
computer viruses, electronic break-ins or other similar disruptive problems
could also materially adversely affect our businesses. Our reputation,
theglobe.com brand and the brands of our individual businesses could be
materially and adversely affected by any problems experienced by our sites
or
our supporting VoIP network. We may not have insurance to adequately compensate
us for any losses that may occur due to any failures or interruptions in
our
systems. We do not presently have any secondary off-site systems or a formal
disaster recovery plan.
HACKERS
MAY ATTEMPT TO PENETRATE OUR SECURITY SYSTEM; ONLINE SECURITY BREACHES COULD
HARM OUR BUSINESS.
Consumer
and supplier confidence in our businesses depends on maintaining relevant
security features. Substantial or ongoing security breaches on our systems
or
other Internet-based systems could significantly harm our business. We incur
substantial expenses protecting against and remedying security breaches.
Security breaches also could damage our reputation and expose us to a risk
of
loss or litigation. Experienced programmers or "hackers" have successfully
penetrated our systems and we expect that these attempts will continue to
occur
from time to time. Because a hacker who is able to penetrate our network
security could misappropriate proprietary or confidential information (including
customer billing information) or cause interruptions in our products and
services, we may have to expend significant capital and resources to protect
against or to alleviate problems caused by these hackers. Additionally, we
may
not have a timely remedy against a hacker who is able to penetrate our network
security. Such security breaches could materially adversely affect our company.
In addition, the transmission of computer viruses resulting from hackers
or
otherwise could expose us to significant liability. Our insurance may not
be
adequate to reimburse us for losses caused by security breaches. We also
face
risks associated with security breaches affecting third parties with whom
we
have relationships.
WE
MAY BE EXPOSED TO LIABILITY FOR INFORMATION RETRIEVED FROM OR TRANSMITTED
OVER
THE INTERNET.
Users
may
access content on our websites or the websites of our distribution partners
or
other third parties through website links or other means, and they may download
content and subsequently transmit this content to others over the Internet.
This
could result in claims against us based on a variety of theories, including
defamation, obscenity, negligence, copyright infringement, trademark
infringement or the wrongful actions of third parties. Other theories may
be
brought based on the nature, publication and distribution of our content
or
based on errors or false or misleading information provided on our websites.
Claims have been brought against online services in the past and we have
received inquiries from third parties regarding these matters. Such claims
could
be material in the future.
WE
MAY BE EXPOSED TO LIABILITY FOR PRODUCTS OR SERVICES SOLD OVER THE INTERNET,
INCLUDING PRODUCTS AND SERVICES SOLD BY OTHERS.
We
enter
into agreements with commerce partners and sponsors under which, in some
cases,
we are entitled to receive a share of revenue from the purchase of goods
and
services through direct links from our sites. We sell products directly to
consumers which may expose us to additional legal risks, regulations by local,
state, federal and foreign authorities and potential liabilities to consumers
of
these products and services, even if we do not ourselves provide these products
or services. We cannot assure you that any indemnification that may be provided
to us in some of these agreements with these parties will be adequate. Even
if
these claims do not result in our liability, we could incur significant costs
in
investigating and defending against these claims. The imposition of potential
liability for information carried on or disseminated through our systems
could
require us to implement measures to reduce our exposure to liability. Those
measures may require the expenditure of substantial resources and limit the
attractiveness of our services. Additionally, our insurance policies may
not
cover all potential liabilities to which we are exposed.
WE
ARE A PARTY TO LITIGATION MATTERS THAT MAY SUBJECT US TO SIGNIFICANT LIABILITY
AND BE TIME CONSUMING AND EXPENSIVE.
We
are
currently a party to litigation. At this time we cannot reasonably estimate
the
range of any loss or damages resulting from any of the pending lawsuits due
to
uncertainty regarding the ultimate outcome. The defense of this litigation
may
be expensive and divert management's attention from day-to-day operations.
An
adverse outcome in this litigation could materially and adversely affect
our
results of operations and financial position and may utilize a significant
portion of our cash resources.
WE
MAY NOT BE ABLE TO IMPLEMENT SECTION 404 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT ON A TIMELY
BASIS.
The
SEC,
as directed by Section 404 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, adopted rules generally
requiring each public company to include a report of management on the company's
internal controls over financial reporting in its annual report on Form 10-K
that contains an assessment by management of the effectiveness of the company's
internal controls over financial reporting. In addition, the company's
independent registered public accounting firm must attest to and report on
management's assessment of the effectiveness of the company's internal controls
over financial reporting. This requirement will first apply to our annual
report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007.
We
are
currently at the beginning stages of developing our Section 404 implementation
plan. We have in the past discovered, and may in the future discover, areas
of
our internal controls that need improvement. How companies should be
implementing these new requirements including internal control reforms to
comply
with Section 404's requirements, and how independent auditors will apply
these
requirements and test companies' internal controls, is still reasonably
uncertain.
We
expect
that we will need to hire and/or engage additional personnel and incur
incremental costs in order to complete the work required by Section 404.
There
can be no assurance that we will be able to complete our Section 404 plan
on a
timely basis. The Company's liquidity position in 2005, 2006 and 2007
may
also impact our ability to adequately fund our Section 404 efforts.
Even
if
we timely complete our Section 404 plan, we may not be able to conclude that
our
internal controls over financial reporting are effective, or in the event
that
we conclude that our internal controls are effective, our independent
accountants may disagree with our assessment and may issue a report that
is
qualified. This could subject the Company to regulatory scrutiny and a loss
of
public confidence in our internal controls. In addition, any failure to
implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered
in
their implementation, could harm the Company's operating results or cause
the
Company to fail to meet its reporting obligations.
RISKS
RELATING TO OUR VOIP TELEPHONY BUSINESS
WE
ARE UNABLE TO PREDICT THE VOLUME OF USAGE AND OUR CAPACITY NEEDS FOR OUR
VOIP
BUSINESS; DISADVANTAGEOUS CONTRACTS HAVE REDUCED OUR OPERATING MARGINS AND
MAY
ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL CONDITION.
We
have
entered into a number of agreements (generally for terms of one year, with
the
terms of several agreements extending to three to five years) for leased
communications transmission capacity and data center facilities with various
carriers and other third parties. The minimum amounts payable under these
agreements and the underlying current capacity of our VoIP network greatly
exceeds our current estimates of customer demand and usage for the foreseeable
future. The Company is currently attempting to reduce the amounts payable
under
these network-related agreements. Although at the beginning of 2005 the Company
was successful in terminating substantially all of the minimum usage requirement
commitments for which it was previously obligated under certain of its carrier
agreements, there can be no assurance that it will be able to further reduce
its
network-related contractual commitments. If the Company is not successful
in
significantly reducing such commitments, its liquidity and financial condition
could be materially and adversely impacted.
THE
VOIP MARKET IS SUBJECT TO RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE AND WE WILL NEED TO
DEPEND
ON NEW PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS AND INNOVATIONS IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH, MAINTAIN
AND
GROW OUR BUSINESS.
VoIP
is
an emerging market that is characterized by rapid changes in customer
requirements, frequent introductions of new and enhanced products, and
continuing and rapid technological advances. To enter and compete successfully
in this emerging market, we must continually design, develop and sell new
and
enhanced VoIP products and services that provide increasingly higher levels
of
performance and reliability at lower costs. These new and enhanced products
must
take advantage of technological advancements and changes, and respond to
new
customer requirements. Our success in designing, developing and selling such
products and services will depend on a variety of factors, including:
o |
access
to sufficient capital to complete our development efforts;
|
o |
the
identification of market demand for new products;
|
o |
the
determination of appropriate product inventory levels;
|
o |
product
and feature selection;
|
o |
timely
implementation of product design and development;
|
o |
product
performance;
|
o |
cost-effectiveness
of products under development;
|
o |
securing
effective sources of equipment supply; and
|
o |
success
of promotional efforts.
|
Additionally,
we may also be required to collaborate with third parties to develop our
products and may not be able to do so on a timely and cost-effective basis,
if
at all. If we are unable, due to resource constraints or technological or
other
reasons, to develop and introduce new or enhanced products in a timely manner
or
if such new or enhanced products do not achieve sufficient market acceptance,
our operating results will suffer and our business will not grow.
OUR
ABILITY AND PLANS TO PROVIDE TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES AT ATTRACTIVE RATES
ARISE IN LARGE PART FROM THE FACT VOIP SERVICES ARE NOT CURRENTLY SUBJECT
TO THE
SAME REGULATION AS TRADITIONAL TELEPHONY.
Because
their services are not currently regulated to the same extent as traditional
telephony, some VoIP providers can currently avoid paying certain charges
that
traditional telephone companies must pay. Many traditional telephone operators
are lobbying the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the states to
regulate VoIP on the same or similar basis as traditional telephone services.
The FCC and several states are examining this issue.
If
the
FCC or any state determines to regulate VoIP, they may impose surcharges,
taxes
or additional regulations upon providers of VoIP. These surcharges could
include
access charges payable to local exchange carriers to carry and terminate
traffic, contributions to the Universal Service Fund or other charges.
Regulations requiring compliance with the CALEA could also place a significant
financial burden on us. The imposition of any such additional fees, charges,
taxes, licenses and regulations on VoIP services could materially increase
our
costs and may reduce or eliminate the competitive pricing advantage we seek
to
enjoy.
WE
WILL INCUR INCREASED COSTS AND RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROVISION OF 911
EMERGENCY DIALING WITH VOIP SERVICES.
In
May
2005, the FCC adopted an Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that requires
VoIP providers to supply enhanced emergency 911 ("E911") service. On June
3,
2005, the FCC released the text of the First Report and Order and Notice
of
Proposed Rulemaking in the E911 proceeding (the "E911 Order"). Previously,
Texas
and Connecticut Attorneys General filed lawsuits against Vonage, accusing
Vonage
of not warning customers about limits to its 911 service. As a result of
the
E911 Order, VoIP service providers that interconnect to the public switched
telephone network ("Interconnected VoIP Providers") will be required to mimic
the 911 emergency calling capabilities offered by traditional landline phone
companies. All Interconnected VoIP Providers must deliver 911 calls to the
appropriate local public safety answering point ("PSAP"), along with call
back
number and location, where the PSAP is able to receive that information.
E911
must be included in the basic service offering; it cannot be an optional
or
extra feature. The PSAP delivery obligation, along with call back number
and
location information must be provided regardless of whether the service is
"fixed" or "nomadic." User registration of location is permissible initially,
although the FCC is committed to an advanced form of E911 that will determine
user location without user intervention, one of the topics of the further
Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking to be released.
Additionally,
all interconnected VoIP providers must obtain affirmative acknowledgement
from
all subscribers that they have been advised of the circumstances under which
E911 service may not be available. Further, an interconnected VoIP provider
must
make it possible for customers to update their address (i.e., change their
registered location) via at least one option that requires no equipment other
than that needed to access the VoIP service. All interconnected VoIP providers
must comply with the requirements of the E911 Order within 120 days of the
publication of the E911 Order in the Federal Register, with the exception
that
the customer notification obligations must be complied with within 30 days
of
the publication.
The
E911
Order applies to certain of our products. Even with E911 provisioned, the
IP
dialtone service provided by us is only as reliable as a customer's underlying
broadband data service and Internet service provider (neither service is
provided by us), and may not be suitable for use in all emergency situations.
The
E911
Order will increase our cost of doing business and may adversely affect our
ability to deliver the VoIP telephony services to new and existing customers
in
all geographic regions. We cannot guarantee that E911 service will be available
to all of our subscribers. There is also risk that specific E911 requirements
may impede our ability to offer service in a manner that conforms to these
requirements. The E911 Order and subsequent orders or clarifications could
have
a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating
results.
THE
INTERNET TELEPHONY BUSINESS IS HIGHLY COMPETITIVE AND ALSO COMPETES WITH
TRADITIONAL AND CELLULAR TELEPHONY PROVIDERS.
The
long
distance telephony market and the Internet telephony market are highly
competitive. There are several large and numerous small competitors and we
expect to face continuing competition based on price and service offerings
from
existing competitors and new market entrants in the future. The principal
competitive factors in our market include price, quality of service, breadth
of
geographic presence, customer service, reliability, network size and capacity,
and the availability of enhanced communications services. Our competitors
include major and emerging telecommunications carriers in the U.S. and abroad.
Financial difficulties in the past several years of many telecommunications
providers are rapidly altering the number, identity and competitiveness of
the
marketplace. Many of the competitors for our current and planned VoIP service
offerings have substantially greater financial, technical and marketing
resources, larger customer bases, longer operating histories, greater name
recognition and more established relationships in the industry than we have.
As
a result, certain of these competitors may be able to adopt more aggressive
pricing policies which could hinder our ability to market our voice services.
During
the past several years, a number of companies have introduced services that
make
Internet telephony or voice services over the Internet available to businesses
and consumers. All major telecommunications companies, including entities
like
AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and MCI, either presently or potentially compete or
can compete directly with us. Other Internet telephony service providers,
such
as Net2Phone, Vonage and deltathree, also focus on a retail customer base
and
compete with us. These companies may offer the kinds of voice services we
currently offer or intend to offer in the future. In addition, companies
currently in related markets have begun to provide voice over the Internet
services or adapt their products to enable voice over the Internet services.
These related companies may potentially migrate into the Internet telephony
market as direct competitors. A number of cable operators have also begun
to
offer VoIP telephony services via cable modems which provide access to the
Internet. These companies, which tend to be large entities with substantial
resources, generally have large budgets available for research and development,
and therefore may further enhance the quality and acceptance of the transmission
of voice over the Internet. We also compete with cellular telephony providers.
PRICING
PRESSURES AND INCREASING USE OF VOIP TECHNOLOGY MAY LESSEN OUR COMPETITIVE
PRICING ADVANTAGE.
One
of
the main competitive advantages of our current and planned VoIP service
offerings is the ability to provide discounted local and long distance telephony
services by taking advantage of cost savings achieved by carrying voice traffic
employing VoIP technology, as compared to carrying calls over traditional
networks. In recent years, the price of telephone service has fallen. The
price
of telephone service may continue to fall for various reasons, including
the
adoption of VoIP technology by other communications carriers. Many carriers
have
adopted pricing plans such that the rates that they charge are not always
substantially higher than the rates that VoIP providers charge for similar
service. In addition, other providers of long distance services are offering
unlimited or nearly unlimited use of some of their services for increasingly
lower monthly rates.
IF
WE DO NOT DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN SUCCESSFUL PARTNERSHIPS FOR VOIP PRODUCTS,
WE MAY
NOT BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY MARKET ANY OF OUR VOIP PRODUCTS.
Our
success in the VoIP market is partly dependent on our ability to forge
marketing, engineering and carrier partnerships. VoIP communication systems
are
extremely complex and no single company possesses all the technology components
needed to build a complete end to end solution. We will likely need to enter
into partnerships to augment our development programs and to assist us in
marketing complete solutions to our targeted customers. We may not be able
to
develop such partnerships in the course of our operations and product
development. Even if we do establish the necessary partnerships, we may not
be
able to adequately capitalize on these partnerships to aid in the success
of our
business.
THE
FAILURE OF VOIP NETWORKS TO MEET THE RELIABILITY AND QUALITY STANDARDS REQUIRED
FOR VOICE COMMUNICATIONS COULD RENDER OUR PRODUCTS OBSOLETE.
Circuit-switched
telephony networks feature very high reliability, with a guaranteed quality
of
service. In addition, such networks have imperceptible delay and consistently
satisfactory audio quality. VoIP networks will not be a viable alternative
to
traditional circuit switched telephony unless they can provide reliability
and
quality consistent with these standards.
ONLINE
CREDIT CARD FRAUD CAN HARM OUR BUSINESS.
The
sale
of our products and services over the Internet exposes us to credit card
fraud
risks. Many of our products and services, including our VoIP services, can
be
ordered or established (in the case of new accounts) over the Internet using
a
major credit card for payment. As is prevalent in retail telecommunications
and
Internet services industries, we are exposed to the risk that some of these
credit card accounts are stolen or otherwise fraudulently obtained. In general,
we are not able to recover fraudulent credit card charges from such accounts.
In
addition to the loss of revenue from such fraudulent credit card use, we
also
remain liable to third parties whose products or services are engaged by
us
(such as termination fees due telecommunications providers) in connection
with
the services which we provide. In addition, depending upon the level of credit
card fraud we experience, we may become ineligible to accept the credit cards
of
certain issuers. We are currently authorized to accept Discover, together
with
Visa and MasterCard (which are both covered by a single merchant agreement
with
us). Visa/MasterCard constitutes the primary credit card used by our VoIP
customers. The loss of eligibility for acceptance of Visa/MasterCard could
significantly and adversely affect our business. During 2004, we updated
our
fraud controls and will attempt to manage fraud risks through our internal
controls and our monitoring and blocking systems. If those efforts are not
successful, fraud could cause our revenue to decline significantly and our
business, financial condition and results of operations to be materially
and
adversely affected.
RISKS
RELATING TO OUR COMPUTER GAMES BUSINESS
THE
MARKET SITUATION CONTINUES TO BE A CHALLENGE FOR CHIPS & BITS DUE TO
ADVANCES IN CONSOLE AND ONLINE GAMES, WHICH HAVE LOWER MARGINS AND TRADITIONALLY
LESS SALES LOYALTY TO CHIPS & BITS.
Our
subsidiary, Chips & Bits depends on major releases in the Personal Computer
(PC) market for the majority of sales and profits. Advances in technology
and
the game industry's increased focus on console and online game platforms,
such
as Xbox, PlayStation and GameCube, has dramatically reduced the number of
major
PC releases, which resulted in significant declines in revenues and gross
margins for Chips & Bits. Because of the large installed base of personal
computers, revenue and gross margin percentages may fluctuate with changes
in
the PC game market. However, we are unable to predict when, if ever, there
will
be a turnaround in the PC game market, or if we will be successful in adequately
increasing our future sales of non-PC games.
WE
HAVE HISTORICALLY RELIED SUBSTANTIALLY ON ADVERTISING REVENUES, WHICH COULD
DECLINE IN THE FUTURE.
We
historically derived a substantial portion of our revenues from the sale
of
advertisements, primarily in our Computer Games Magazine. Our games business
model and our ability to generate sufficient future levels of print and online
advertising revenues are highly dependent on the print circulation of our
magazines, as well as the amount of traffic on our websites and our ability
to
properly monetize website traffic. Print and online advertising market volumes
have declined in the past and may decline in the future, which could have
a
material adverse effect on us. Many advertisers have been experiencing financial
difficulties which could further negatively impact our revenues and our ability
to collect our receivables. For these reasons, we cannot assure you that
our
current advertisers will continue to purchase advertisements from our computer
games businesses.
WE
MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY COMPETE IN THE ELECTRONIC COMMERCE MARKETPLACE.
The
games
marketplace has become increasingly competitive due to acquisitions, strategic
partnerships and the continued consolidation of a previously fragmented
industry. In addition, an increasing number of major retailers have increased
the selection of video games offered by both their traditional "bricks and
mortar" locations and their online commerce sites, resulting in increased
competition. Our Chips & Bits subsidiary may not be able to compete
successfully in this highly competitive marketplace.
We
also
face many uncertainties, which may affect our ability to generate electronic
commerce revenues and profits, including:
o |
our
ability to obtain new customers at a reasonable cost, retain existing
customers and encourage repeat purchases;
|
o |
the
likelihood that both online and retail purchasing trends may rapidly
change;
|
o |
the
level of product returns;
|
o |
merchandise
shipping costs and delivery times;
|
o |
our
ability to manage inventory levels;
|
o |
our
ability to secure and maintain relationships with vendors; and
|
o |
the
possibility that our vendors may sell their products through other
sites.
|
Additionally,
if use of the Internet for electronic commerce does not continue to grow,
our
business and financial condition would be materially and adversely affected.
INTENSE
COMPETITION FOR ELECTRONIC COMMERCE REVENUES HAS RESULTED IN DOWNWARD PRESSURE
ON GROSS MARGINS.
Due
to
the ability of consumers to easily compare prices of similar products or
services on competing websites and consumers' potential preference for competing
website's user interface, gross margins for electronic commerce transactions,
which are narrower than for advertising businesses, may further narrow in
the
future and, accordingly, our revenues and profits from electronic commerce
arrangements may be materially and adversely affected.
OUR
ELECTRONIC COMMERCE BUSINESS MAY RESULT IN SIGNIFICANT LIABILITY CLAIMS AGAINST
US.
Consumers
may sue us if any of the products that we sell are defective, fail to perform
properly or injure the user. Consumers are also increasingly seeking to impose
liability on game manufacturers and distributors based upon the content of
the
games and the alleged affect of such content on behavior. Liability claims
could
require us to spend significant time and money in litigation or to pay
significant damages. As a result, any claims, whether or not successful,
could
seriously damage our reputation and our business.
RISKS
RELATING TO OUR INTERNET SERVICES BUSINESS
OUR
CONTRACT TO SERVE AS THE REGISTRY FOR THE ".TRAVEL" TOP-LEVEL DOMAIN MAY
BE
TERMINATED EARLY, WHICH WOULD LIKELY DO IRREPARABLE HARM TO OUR NEWLY DEVELOPING
INTERNET SERVICES BUSINESS.
Our
contract with the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers ("ICANN")
to serve as the registry for the ".travel" top-level Internet domain is for
an
initial term of ten years. Additionally, we have agreed to engage in good
faith
negotiations at regular intervals throughout the term of our contract (at
least
once every three years) regarding possible changes to the provisions of the
contract, including changes in the fees and payments that we are required
to
make to ICANN. In the event that we materially and fundamentally breach the
contract and fail to cure such breach within thirty days of notice, ICANN
has
the right to immediately terminate our contract.
Should
our ".travel" registry contract be terminated early by ICANN, we could suffer
a
loss of prestige that could force us to permanently shutdown our Internet
services business. Further, we could be held liable to pay additional fees
or
financial damages to ICANN or certain of our related subcontractors and,
in
certain limited circumstances, to pay punitive, exemplary or other damages
to
ICANN. Any such developments could have a material adverse effect on our
financial condition and results of operations.
OUR
BUSINESS COULD BE MATERIALLY HARMED IF IN THE FUTURE THE ADMINISTRATION AND
OPERATION OF THE INTERNET NO LONGER RELIES UPON THE EXISTING DOMAIN NAME
SYSTEM.
The
domain name registration industry continues to develop and adapt to changing
technology. This development may include changes in the administration or
operation of the Internet, including the creation and institution of alternate
systems for directing Internet traffic without the use of the existing domain
name system. The widespread acceptance of any alternative systems could
eliminate the need to register a domain name to establish an online presence
and
could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results
of operations.
WE
OUTSOURCE CERTAIN OPERATIONS WHICH EXPOSES US TO RISKS RELATED TO OUR THIRD
PARTY VENDORS.
We
do not
develop and maintain all of the products and services that we offer. We offer
most of our services to our customers through various third party service
providers engaged to perform these services on our behalf and also outsource
most of our operations to third parties. Accordingly, we are dependent, in
part,
on the services of third party service providers, which may raise concerns
by
our customers regarding our ability to control the services we offer them
if
certain elements are managed by another company. In the event that these
service
providers fail to maintain adequate levels of support, do not provide high
quality service, discontinue their lines of business, cease or reduce operations
or terminate their contracts with us, our business, operations and customer
relations may be impacted negatively and we may be required to pursue
replacement third party relationships, which we may not be able to obtain
on as
favorable terms or at all. If a problem should arise with a provider,
transitioning services and data from one provider to another can often be
a
complicated and time consuming process and we cannot assure that if we need
to
switch from a provider we would be able to do so without significant
disruptions, or at all. If we were unable to complete a transition to a new
provider on a timely basis, or at all, we could be forced to either temporarily
or permanently discontinue certain services which may disrupt services to
our
customers. Any failure to provide services would have a negative impact on
our
revenue, profitability and financial condition and could materially harm
our
Internet services business.
REGULATORY
AND STATUTORY CHANGES COULD HARM OUR INTERNET SERVICES BUSINESS.
We
cannot
predict with any certainty the effect that new governmental or regulatory
policies, including changes in consumer privacy policies or industry reaction
to
those policies, will have on our domain name registry business. Additionally,
ICANN's limited resources may seriously affect its ability to carry out its
mandate or could force ICANN to impose additional fees on registries. Changes
in
governmental or regulatory statutes or policies could cause decreases in
future
revenue and increases in future costs which could have a material adverse
effect
on the development of our domain name registry business.
RISKS
RELATING TO OUR COMMON STOCK
THE
VOLUME OF SHARES AVAILABLE FOR FUTURE SALE IN THE OPEN MARKET COULD DRIVE
DOWN
THE PRICE OF OUR STOCK OR KEEP OUR STOCK PRICE FROM IMPROVING, EVEN IF OUR
FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE IMPROVES.
As
of
November 11, 2005, we had issued and outstanding approximately 173.3 million
shares, of which approximately 56.1 million shares were freely tradable over
the
public markets. There is limited trading volume in our shares and we are
now
traded only in the over-the-counter market. On April 16, 2004, we filed a
registration statement relating to the potential resale of up to approximately
131 million of our shares (including approximately 27 million shares underlying
then outstanding warrants to acquire our Common Stock). The registration
statement became effective on May 11, 2004.
Sales
of
significant amounts of Common Stock in the public market in the future, the
perception that sales will occur or the registration of additional shares
pursuant to existing contractual obligations could materially and adversely
drive down the price of our stock. In addition, such factors could adversely
affect the ability of the market price of the Common Stock to increase even
if
our business prospects were to improve. Substantially all of our stockholders
holding restricted securities, including shares issuable upon the exercise
of
warrants or the conversion of the Convertible Notes to acquire our Common
Stock
(which are convertible into 68 million shares), have registration rights
under
various conditions and will become available for resale in the
future.
In
addition, as of September 30, 2005, there were outstanding options to purchase
approximately 19.6 million shares of our Common Stock, which become eligible
for
sale in the public market from time to time depending on vesting and the
expiration of lock-up agreements. The shares issuable upon exercise of these
options are registered under the Securities Act and consequently, subject
to
certain volume restrictions as to shares issuable to executive officers,
will be
freely tradable.
Also
as
of November 11, 2005, we had issued and outstanding warrants to acquire
approximately 7.5 million shares of our Common Stock. In addition, the Company
holds in escrow warrants to acquire up to 1.5 shares of Common Stock, subject
to
release over approximately the next year (some of which may accelerate under
certain events) upon the attainment of certain performance objectives. Many
of
the outstanding instruments representing the warrants contain anti-dilution
provisions pursuant to which the exercise prices and number of shares issuable
upon exercise may be adjusted.
OUR
CHAIRMAN MAY CONTROL US.
Michael
S. Egan, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, beneficially owns or
controls, directly or indirectly, approximately 140.7 million shares of our
Common Stock as of November 11, 2005, which in the aggregate represents
approximately 57% of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock (treating
as outstanding for this purpose the shares of Common Stock issuable upon
exercise and/or conversion of the options, Convertible Notes and warrants
owned
by Mr. Egan or his affiliates). Accordingly, Mr. Egan will be able to exercise
significant influence over, if not control, any stockholder vote.
DELISTING
OF OUR COMMON STOCK MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR INVESTORS TO SELL SHARES.
THIS
MAY POTENTIALLY LEAD TO FUTURE MARKET DECLINES.
The
shares of our Common Stock were delisted from the NASDAQ national market
in
April 2001 and are now traded in the over-the-counter market on what is commonly
referred to as the electronic bulletin board or "OTCBB." As a result, an
investor may find it more difficult to dispose of or obtain accurate quotations
as to the market value of the securities. The delisting has made trading
our
shares more difficult for investors, potentially leading to further declines
in
share price and making it less likely our stock price will increase. It has
also
made it more difficult for us to raise additional capital. We may also incur
additional costs under state blue-sky laws if we sell equity due to our
delisting.
OUR
COMMON STOCK IS PRESENTLY SUBJECT TO THE "PENNY STOCK" RULES WHICH MAY MAKE
IT A
LESS ATTRACTIVE INVESTMENT.
Since
the
trading price of our Common Stock is less than $5.00 per share, trading in
our
Common Stock is also subject to the requirements of Rule 15g-9 of the Exchange
Act. Our Common Stock is also considered a penny stock under the Securities
Enforcement Remedies and Penny Stock Reform Act of 1990, which defines a
penny
stock, generally, as any equity security not traded on an exchange or quoted
on
the Nasdaq SmallCap Market that has a market price of less than $5.00 per
share.
Under Rule 15g-9, brokers who recommend our Common Stock to persons who are
not
established customers and accredited investors, as defined in the Exchange
Act,
must satisfy special sales practice requirements, including requirements
that
they make an individualized written suitability determination for the purchaser;
and receive the purchaser's written consent prior to the transaction. The
Securities Enforcement Remedies and Penny Stock Reform Act of 1990 also requires
additional disclosures in connection with any trades involving a penny stock,
including the delivery, prior to any penny stock transaction, of a disclosure
schedule explaining the penny stock market and the risks associated with
that
market. Such requirements may severely limit the market liquidity of our
Common
Stock and the ability of purchasers of our equity securities to sell their
securities in the secondary market. For all of these reasons, an investment
in
our equity securities may not be attractive to our potential investors.
ANTI-TAKEOVER
PROVISIONS AFFECTING US COULD PREVENT OR DELAY A CHANGE OF CONTROL.
Provisions
of our charter, by-laws and stockholder rights plan and provisions of applicable
Delaware law may:
o |
have
the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control
of our
company;
|
o |
discourage
bids of our Common Stock at a premium over the market price; or
|
o |
adversely
affect the market price of, and the voting and other rights of
the holders
of, our Common Stock.
|
Certain
Delaware laws could have the effect of delaying, deterring or preventing
a
change in control of our company. One of these laws prohibits us from engaging
in a business combination with any interested stockholder for a period of
three
years from the date the person became an interested stockholder, unless various
conditions are met. In addition, provisions of our charter and by-laws, and
the
significant amount of Common Stock held by our current executive officers,
directors and affiliates, could together have the effect of discouraging
potential takeover attempts or making it more difficult for stockholders
to
change management. In addition, the employment contracts of our Chairman
and
CEO, President and Vice President of Finance provide for substantial lump
sum
payments ranging from 2 (for the Vice President) to 10 times (for each of
the
Chairman and President) of their respective average combined salaries and
bonuses (together with the continuation of various benefits for extended
periods) in the event of their termination without cause or a termination
by the
executive for "good reason," which is conclusively presumed in the event
of a
"change-in-control" (as such terms are defined in such agreements).
OUR
STOCK PRICE IS VOLATILE AND MAY DECLINE.
The
trading price of our Common Stock has been volatile and may continue to be
volatile in response to various factors, including:
o |
the
performance and public acceptance of our new product lines;
|
o |
quarterly
variations in our operating results;
|
o |
competitive
announcements;
|
o |
sales
of any of our businesses, including the recent sale of our SendTec
business;
|
o |
the
operating and stock price performance of other companies that investors
may deem comparable to us;
|
o |
news
relating to trends in our markets; and
|
o |
disposition
or entry into new lines of business and acquisitions of businesses,
including our Tralliance acquisition.
|
The
market price of our Common Stock could also decline as a result of unforeseen
factors related to the acquisitions. The stock market has experienced
significant price and volume fluctuations, and the market prices of technology
companies, particularly Internet related companies, have been highly volatile.
Our stock is also more volatile due to the limited trading volume and the
high
number of shares eligible for trading in the market.
Interest
Rate Risk. Interest rate risk refers to fluctuations in the value of a security
resulting from changes in the general level of interest rates. Investments
that
we classify as cash and cash equivalents have original maturities of three
months or less and therefore, are not affected in any material respect by
changes in market interest rates. At September 30, 2005,
debt
outstanding includes approximately $4.5 million of fixed rate instruments
with
an aggregate average interest rate of 11.10% and approximately $39,000 of
variable rate instruments with an aggregate average interest rate of 6.76%.
All
debt outstanding as of the end of the third quarter of 2005 is either due
on
demand (including $1.0 million of fixed rate debt which is past due and in
default) or matures within the next twelve months.
Foreign
Currency Risk. We transact business in U.S. dollars. Our exposure to changes
in
foreign currency rates has been limited to a related party obligation payable
in
Canadian dollars, which totals approximately $39,000 (U.S.) at September
30,
2005. Foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations do not have a material
effect
on our results of operations.
We
maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure (1)
that
information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"),
is
recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified
in the Securities and Exchange Commission's ("SEC") rules and forms, and
(2)
that this information is accumulated and communicated to management, including
our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate,
to
allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and
evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognizes
that
any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can
provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives,
and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating
the
cost benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
Our
Chief
Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness
of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2005. Based
on
that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer
have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective
in
alerting them in a timely manner to material information regarding us (including
our consolidated subsidiaries) that is required to be included in our periodic
reports to the SEC.
Our
management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our
Chief
Financial Officer, have evaluated any change in our internal control over
financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30,
2005
that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect,
our
internal control over financial reporting, and have determined there to be
no
reportable changes.
See
Note
7, "Litigation," of the Financial Statements included in this
Report.
(a)
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.
On
October 31, 2005, theglobe completed the sale of substantially all of the
assets
and business of its subsidiary, SendTec, Inc., to RelationServe Media, Inc.
pursuant to an Asset Purchase Agreement dated August 10, 2005, and as amended
on
August 23, 2005. In accordance with the terms of an escrow agreement established
as a source to secure theglobe’s indemnification obligations under the Asset
Purchase Agreement, $1.0 million in cash and 2,272,727 shares of theglobe’s
unregistered Common Stock (valued at $750,000 pursuant to the terms of the
Asset
Purchase Agreement based upon the average closing price of the stock in the
10
day period preceding the closing) were placed into escrow. To the extent
any of
these shares are released to RelationServe Media, Inc., they will be issued
in
reliance on the exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(2) of the
Securities Act of 1933. Any shares released from escrow to RelationServe
Media,
Inc. will be entitled to customary “piggy-back” registration
rights.
(b)
Use
of Proceeds From Sales of Registered Securities.
Not
applicable.
None.
None.
None.
4.1
|
Form
of Secured Demand Convertible Promissory Note (1).
|
|
4.2
|
Security
Agreement dated April 22, 2005 by theglobe.com, inc. and certain
other
parties named therein (1).
|
|
4.3
|
Unconditional
Guaranty Agreement dated April 22, 2005 (1).
|
|
10.1
|
Note
Purchase Agreement dated April 22, 2005 between theglobe.com, inc.
and
certain named investors (1).
|
|
10.2
|
Asset
Purchase Agreement dated as of August 10, 2005 by and among theglobe.com,
inc., SendTec, Inc. and RelationServe Media, Inc. (2).
|
|
10.3
|
1st
Amendment to the Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of August 23,
2005, by
and among theglobe.com, inc., SendTec, Inc. and RelationServe Media,
Inc.
(3).
|
|
10.4
|
Redemption
Agreement dated August 23, 2005 between theglobe.com, inc. and
certain
members of management of SendTec, Inc. (4).
|
|
10.5
|
Escrow
Agreement dated as of October 31, 2005, by and among theglobe.com,
inc.,
SendTec, Inc., RelationServe Media, Inc. and Olshan Grundman Frome
Rosenzweig & Wolosky LLP. (5).
|
|
10.6
|
Termination
Agreement dated as of October 1, 2005, by and among theglobe.com,
inc.,
SendTec, Inc., Paul Soltoff, Eric Obeck, Donald Gould, Harry Greene,
Irvine and Nadine Brechner, as tenants by the entirety, Allen Vance,
G.
Thomas Alison and Steven Morvay. (5).
|
|
31.1
|
Certification
of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule
15d-14(a).
|
|
31.2
|
Certification
of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule
15d-14(a).
|
|
32.1
|
Certification
of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
as
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
32.2
|
Certification
of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
as
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
|
(1) |
Incorporated
by reference from our Form 8-K filed on April 26, 2005.
|
(2) |
Incorporated
by reference from our Form 8-K filed on August 16,
2005.
|
(3) |
Incorporated
by reference to Annex A of our preliminary information statement
filed on
August 23, 2005.
|
(4) |
Incorporated
by reference to Annex B of our preliminary information statement
filed on
August 23, 2005.
|
(5) |
Incorporated
by reference from our Form 8-K filed on November 4,
2005.
|
Pursuant
to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of
1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by
the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
THEGLOBE.COM, INC. | ||
|
|
|
Dated: November 21, 2005 | By: | /s/ Michael S. Egan |
|
||
Michael
S. Egan
Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive
Officer)
|
By: | /s/ Edward A. Cespedes | |
|
||
Edward
A. Cespedes
President and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial
Officer)
|
EXHIBIT
INDEX
4.1
|
Form
of Secured Demand Convertible Promissory Note (1).
|
4.2
|
Security
Agreement dated April 22, 2005 by theglobe.com, inc. and certain
other
parties named therein (1).
|
4.3
|
Unconditional
Guaranty Agreement dated April 22, 2005 (1).
|
10.1
|
Note
Purchase Agreement dated April 22, 2005 between theglobe.com, inc.
and
certain named investors (1).
|
10.2
|
Asset
Purchase Agreement dated as of August 10, 2005 by and among theglobe.com,
inc., SendTec, Inc. and RelationServe Media, Inc. (2).
|
10.3
|
1st
Amendment to the Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of August 23,
2005, by
and among theglobe.com, inc., SendTec, Inc. and RelationServe Media,
Inc.
(3).
|
10.4
|
Redemption
Agreement dated August 23, 2005 between theglobe.com, inc. and
certain
members of management of SendTec, Inc. (4).
|
10.5
|
Escrow
Agreement dated as of October 31, 2005, by and among theglobe.com,
inc.,
SendTec, Inc., RelationServe Media, Inc. and Olshan Grundman Frome
Rosenzweig & Wolosky LLP. (5).
|
10.6
|
Termination
Agreement dated as of October 1, 2005, by and among theglobe.com,
inc.,
SendTec, Inc., Paul Soltoff, Eric Obeck, Donald Gould, Harry Greene,
Irvine and Nadine Brechner, as tenants by the entirety, Allen Vance,
G.
Thomas Alison and Steven Morvay. (5).
|
31.1
|
Certification
of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule
15d-14(a).
|
31.2
|
Certification
of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) and Rule
15d-14(a).
|
32.1
|
Certification
of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
as
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
32.2
|
Certification
of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350
as
adopted pursuant to Section 906 of The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
|
(1) |
Incorporated
by reference from our Form 8-K filed on April 26, 2005.
|
(2) |
Incorporated
by reference from our Form 8-K filed on August 16,
2005.
|
(3) |
Incorporated
by reference to Annex A of our preliminary information statement
filed on
August 23, 2005.
|
(4) |
Incorporated
by reference to Annex B of our preliminary information statement
filed on
August 23, 2005.
|
(5) |
Incorporated
by reference from our Form 8-K filed on November 4,
2005.
|
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