Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Commitments and Contingencies

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Commitments and Contingencies
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments and Contingencies
 
Lease
The Company has entered into a lease for 14,782 square feet of office and laboratory space located in Austin, Texas. The triple net lease has a term of 48 months and commenced on June 1, 2014. The annual base rent in the first year of the lease was $154,324 and increases by $3,548 in each succeeding year of the lease. In addition, the Company is required to pay its proportionate share of operating costs for the building.
 
At September 30, 2017, the remaining annual base rent commitments under the lease are as follows: 
Year Ended December 31,
 
Amount
2017
 
$
41,242

2018
 
68,736

Total
 
$
109,978


 
The Company incurred rent expense of $58,543 and $175,617 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, and $56,492 and $167,816 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.
 
License Agreement
In 2015, the Company entered into licensing agreements which expire on February 7, 2033. Per the agreements, the Company has an exclusive royalty-free license which enhances its intellectual property portfolio related to semiconductor power switches. The agreements include both fixed and variable payments. The variable payments are a function of the number of associated patent filings pending and patents issued under the agreements. The Company is required to pay $10,000 for each patent filing pending and $20,000 for each patent issued within 20 days of December 21, 2017 and each subsequent year of the agreement, up to a maximum of $100,000 per year (i.e. five issued patents).

In June 2017, a U.S. patent was issued associated with the agreements and the Company recorded an intangible asset and corresponding long-term liability for the estimated present value of future payments of $261,303. This long-term liability incurred in connection with the patent issuance is a non-cash investing activity with regard to the Company’s statements of cash flows. At September 30, 2017, two patents associated with the agreements had been issued and the estimated present value of future payments under the licensing agreement is $533,088, of which $40,000 is due within 20 days of December 21, 2017 and is included in accrued expenses in the Company's balance sheet. The Company is accruing interest for future payments related to the issued patents associated with the agreement.

Litigation
On May 17, 2017, the Company provided Libra Industries, Inc. (Libra), its prior contract manufacturer, notice that it was in breach of the Master Supply Agreement (MSA) between the parties. On May 19, 2017, the Company received notice from Libra that the Company was allegedly in breach of the MSA. On June 23, 2017, the Company received a Notice of Arbitration from Libra alleging claims against the Company and demanding recovery for alleged damages. On July 13, 2017, the Company responded to Libra with a Notice of Defense and Counterclaim. On August 2, 2017, Libra provided their response to the Company's Notice of Defense and Counterclaim. The arbitration will be governed in accordance with the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution Rules for Non-Administered Arbitration by a sole arbiter. The parties have appointed an arbiter and discovery is in progress. The arbitration hearing is scheduled in Travis County, Texas for the first quarter of 2018. At this time, the Company is unable to estimate the possible loss, if any, associated with this proceeding.