This is in response to your correspondence requesting an exception from the shareholder approval requirements under Listing Rule 5635(f) with respect to a proposed issuance of securities (the “Proposed Transaction”).  In addition, you asked for a related exception from the voting rights requirements of Listing Rule 5640 and IM-5640 (collectively, the “Voting Rights Rule”). 

In the Proposed Transaction, the Company would sell to the Investor shares of preferred stock, which would be convertible into common stock at a price below the current market value.  The Preferred Stock would vote on an as-converted basis resulting in the Investor owning approximately 73% of the Company’s outstanding shares of voting stock on a post-issuance basis.  The Investor would have the right to appoint 4 members of the board of directors which would consist of no more than 7 members.  The number of directors the Investor could appoint would decline proportionally with a decline in the Investor’s ownership position in the Company.  The Investor is not currently affiliated with the Company.  

You stated that, due to a variety of circumstances, the Company is in dire financial condition.  While the Company has experienced continuous net losses for approximately fifteen years, it has been able to continue operations through issuances of common and preferred stock and debt.  Recently, the Company lost a significant customer, which last year accounted for approximately 42% of its total revenue.  Subsequent negotiations with several prospective large customers ended without any sales agreements being reached.

You explained that as its condition has continued to deteriorate, the Company has released most of its employees and has delayed or withheld payments to vendors, resulting in its inability to obtain the products and services necessary to operate its business.   The Company has debt maturing in approximately 10 months, which under the current circumstances it would be unable to repay.  In addition, approximately five months ago, a patent infringement lawsuit was filed against the Company, significantly hindering its capital raising efforts due to the inherent uncertainty regarding any possible settlement.

The Company’s investment bankers have explored strategic alternatives, including a possible sale and potential sources of capital, and in the process have contacted over forty parties.  You stated that until the Proposed Transaction, however, there has not been any viable interest.   The Company’s bankruptcy counsel has begun preparing a bankruptcy petition in the event the Company is unable to quickly raise the needed funds.

The Company believes that if it completes the Proposed Transaction it would be able to continue operations for at least twelve months, during which time it would refocus its marketing efforts to compensate for the recent loss of the significant customer and have the opportunity to grow its sales and improve its prospects.  The Company would also use the proceeds of the Proposed Transaction to settle its debt for a significantly reduced cash amount and shares of common stock.  In addition, the Company agreed to a term sheet for the settlement of the patent infringement lawsuit, which would be funded from the proceeds of the Proposed Transaction.   The Company believes that following the Proposed Transaction, it would meet the requirements for continued listing on NASDAQ with the possible exception of the bid-price requirement for which it is currently within the 180-day compliance period (the “Compliance Period”).   You stated that the Company would take all steps necessary, including a reverse stock split, to regain compliance with the bid-price requirement by the expiration date of the Compliance Period.  In addition, the Company did not timely file its Form 10-Q for its most recently completed quarter.   The Company has stated that it expects to file that Form 10-Q within approximately three weeks.  In the meantime, the Company issued a press release containing detailed financial information for the quarter. 

Without the requested exception, the Proposed Transaction would require shareholder approval pursuant to: (i) Listing Rule 5635(b) because the issuance could result in a change of control; and (ii) Listing Rule 5635(d) because the issuance would exceed 20% of the pre-transaction outstanding shares at a price less than the greater of book or market value.  Additionally, without the requested exception, the Proposed Transaction would not comply with the Voting Rights Rule because the preferred stock would vote on an as-converted basis and would convert at a discount to the market value of the common stock, thereby effectively affording it greater voting rights than the common stock.  In addition, depending on the number of directors on the Company’s board, the Investor’s percentage representation on the board could be greater than its percentage ownership in the Company.

You stated that a delay in securing shareholder approval would seriously jeopardize the financial viability of the Company, and the Proposed Transaction is the only available means to avoid an imminent bankruptcy filing.  You added that the Company’s current cash position is not sufficient to sustain it through the time that it would take to obtain shareholder approval.

Based on our review of the circumstances described in your correspondence and on your representations regarding the Company’s financial condition, we have determined to grant the requested exception to the shareholder approval rules.   This determination is based on your representations that the Company needs to quickly proceed with the Proposed Transaction to avoid bankruptcy.  In addition, we have determined to grant an exception from the Voting Rights Rule as it applies to the voting power of the preferred stock because both that rule and former Securities and Exchange Commission Rule 19c-4 permit such an exception where necessary to rescue a company in financial distress.  The exception is subject to the following:  (i) the Company must mail to all shareholders, not later than ten days before the issuance of any securities, a letter describing the Proposed Transaction and alerting shareholders of the omission to seek their otherwise required approval; (ii) the letter must indicate that the audit committee, or a comparable independent body of the board of directors, has expressly approved reliance on the exception; and (iii) the Company must make a public announcement through the news media disclosing the same information as promptly as possible, but no later than ten days prior to the issuance of the securities.  

As an additional matter, you indicated that the Company is considering an investment in a company which is in a related business.  The exception granted herein does not apply to such investment, which would be fully subject to the shareholder approval requirements.  In that regard, you stated that the Company would not use any of the proceeds from the Proposed Transaction to fund the investment without the prior approval of its shareholders other than the Investor.