(2)
GOING
CONCERN CONSIDERATIONS AND MANAGEMENT’S PLAN
The
Company received a report from its independent accountants, relating to its
December 31, 2006 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 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 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. However, for the reasons described below, Company management
does not believe that cash on hand and cash flow generated internally by the
Company will be adequate to fund the operation of its businesses beyond a short
period of time. These reasons raise significant doubt about the Company’s
ability to continue as a going concern.
As
of
March 31, 2007, the Company had a net working capital deficit of approximately
$7,800,000, inclusive of a cash and cash equivalents balance of approximately
$3,500,000. Such working capital deficit included a settlement liability of
$2,550,000 owed to MySpace, Inc. (“MySpace”) in connection with a lawsuit filed
by MySpace against the Company on June 1, 2006 (as more fully discussed in
Note
5, “Litigation”) and an aggregate of $3,400,000 in secured convertible demand
notes (the “Convertible Notes”) and accrued interest of approximately $640,000
due to entities controlled by Michael Egan, the Company’s Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer. On April 18, 2007, the Company paid MySpace $2,550,000 in
cash in full settlement of the aforementioned lawsuit. As of May 4, 2007, the
Company had a cash and cash equivalents balance of approximately $480,000.
Notwithstanding previous cost reduction actions taken by the Company and its
recent decision to shutdown its unprofitable computer games and VoIP telephony
services businesses in March 2007 (see Note 3, “Discontinued Operations”), the
Company continues to incur substantial consolidated operating losses, although
reduced in comparison with prior periods, and management believes that the
Company will continue to be unprofitable in the foreseeable future. Based upon
the Company’s current financial condition, as discussed above, and without the
infusion of additional capital, management does not believe that the Company
will be able to fund its operations beyond May 2007.
It
is our
preference to avoid filing for protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
However, in order to continue operating as a going concern for any length of
time beyond May 2007, we believe that we must quickly raise capital. Although
there is no commitment to do so, any such funds would most likely come from
Michael Egan, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, or affiliates
of Mr. Egan or the Company, as the Company currently has no access to credit
facilities with traditional third parties and has historically relied on
borrowings from related parties to meet short-term liquidity needs. Any such
capital raised would not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and
would not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an
applicable exemption from registration requirements. Although the Company is
currently in negotiations with Mr. Egan to provide additional financing, there
can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in raising such capital
or borrowing such funds, and any capital raised will likely result in very
substantial dilution of the number of shares outstanding or which could be
outstanding upon the exercise or conversion of any derivative securities issued
by the Company as part of such capital raise.
In
addition to raising a sufficient amount of capital, we believe that our
long-term financial viability will be determined mainly by our ability to
successfully execute our current and future business plans, including (i)
achieving net growth in the number of “.travel” domain name registrations; (ii)
monetizing our www.search.travel website; (iii) further reducing our operating
expenses; (iv) eliminating future losses incurred by our discontinued
operations; and (v) successfully settling disputed and other outstanding
liabilities related to our discontinued operations. The amount of capital
required to be raised by the Company will be dependent upon the Company’s
performance in executing its current and future business plans, as measured
principally by the time period needed to begin generating positive internal
cash
flow. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in raising
a
sufficient amount of capital or in executing its business plans. Further, even
if we raise capital and are successful in achieving each of the aforementioned
objectives, if demand for repayment of any or all of the $3,400,000 in
outstanding secured debt or related accrued interest is made, there is no
assurance that we will not be required to file for bankruptcy protection at
that
time.
(3)
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
In
March
2007, management and the Board of Directors of the Company made the decision
to
cease all activities related to its computer games businesses, including
discontinuing the operations of its magazine publications, games distribution
business and related websites. The Company’s decision to shutdown its computer
games businesses was based primarily on the historical losses sustained by
these
businesses during the recent past and management’s expectations of continued
future losses. The Company is currently in the process of implementing a
business shutdown plan, which includes the termination of employee and vendor
relationships and the collection and payment of outstanding accounts receivables
and payables. We are also attempting to sell certain of the businesses’
component assets; however, we do not expect the proceeds from such sales to
be
significant.
In
addition, in March 2007, management and the Board of Directors of the Company
decided to discontinue the operating, research and development activities of
its
VoIP telephony services business and terminate all of the remaining employees
of
the business.
The
Company’s decision to discontinue the operations of its VoIP telephony services
business was based primarily on the historical losses sustained by the business
during the past several years, management’s expectations of continued losses for
the foreseeable future and estimates of the amount of capital required to
attempt to successfully monetize its business. The Company is currently in
the
process of implementing a business shutdown plan, which includes the termination
of its carrier and vendor relationships, as well as the payment and/or
settlement of outstanding payables. We are also attempting to sell certain
of
the businesses’ component assets; however, we do not expect the proceeds from
such sales to be significant. On April 2, 2007, theglobe agreed to transfer
to
Michael Egan all of its VoIP intellectual property in consideration for his
agreement to provide the Security in connection with the MySpace litigation
Settlement Agreement (See Note 5, “Litigation,” for further discussion). The
Company had previously written off the value of the VoIP intellectual property
as a result of its evaluation of the VoIP telephony services business’
long-lived assets in connection with the preparation of the Company’s 2004
year-end consolidated financial statements.
Results
of operations for the computer games and VoIP telephony services businesses
have
been reported separately as “Discontinued Operations” in the accompanying
condensed consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented.
The
assets and liabilities of the computer games and VoIP telephony services
businesses 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 the computer games and VoIP telephony services businesses as
included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets:
|
|
|
March
31,
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Assets:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Computer
Games
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
receivable, net
|
|
$
|
381,776
|
|
$
|
518,279
|
|
|
Inventory,
net
|
|
|
8,739
|
|
|
37,736
|
|
|
Prepaid
and other current assets
|
|
|
10,000
|
|
|
44,111
|
|
|
Property
and equipment, net
|
|
|
30,749
|
|
|
38,747
|
|
|
|
|
|
431,264
|
|
|
638,873
|
|
|
VoIP
Telephony Services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
receivable, net
|
|
|
25,031
|
|
|
25,031
|
|
|
Prepaid
and other current assets
|
|
|
24,751
|
|
|
113,815
|
|
|
Property
and equipment, net
|
|
|
68,004
|
|
|
182,561
|
|
|
|
|
|
117,786
|
|
|
321,407
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
assets of discontinued operations
|
|
$
|
549,050
|
|
$
|
960,280
|
|
|
|
|
March
31,
|
|
December
31,
|
|
|
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
Liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Computer
Games
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
$
|
345,588
|
|
$
|
226,497
|
|
|
Accrued
expenses
|
|
|
142,546
|
|
|
22,863
|
|
|
Subscriber
liability, net
|
|
|
78,697
|
|
|
71,827
|
|
|
|
|
|
566,831
|
|
|
321,187
|
|
|
VoIP
Telephony Services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Accounts
payable
|
|
|
1,975,116
|
|
|
2,062,562
|
|
|
Accrued
legal settlement
|
|
|
2,550,000
|
|
|
2,550,000
|
|
|
Other
accrued expenses
|
|
|
355,951
|
|
|
227,123
|
|
|
|
|
|
4,881,067
|
|
|
4,839,685
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
liabilities of discontinued operations
|
|
$
|
5,447,898
|
|
$
|
5,160,872
|
|
Summarized
financial information for the discontinued operations was as
follows:
|
Periods
Ended March 31,
|
|
2007
|
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Computer
Games:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
revenue
|
|
$
|
588,499
|
|
$
|
366,920
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
from operations, net of tax
|
|
$
|
(364,474
|
)
|
$
|
(174,213
|
)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
VoIP
Telephony Services:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
revenue
|
|
$
|
374
|
|
$
|
20,624
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Loss
from operations, net of tax
|
|
$
|
(796,562
|
)
|
$
|
(2,674,189
|
)
|
The
Company is in the process of evaluating the recoverability of its existing
computer games and VoIP telephony services businesses’ assets, and at this time,
does not anticipate significant future impairment or other charges in this
regard. Any such charges, if and when determined to be required, will be
recorded by the Company when identified.
The
Company has estimated the costs expected to be incurred in shutting down its
computer games and VoIP telephony services businesses and has accrued charges
as
of March 31, 2007, as follows:
|
|
|
Computer
Games
|
|
VoIP
Telephony Services
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total
Estimated Shut-Down Costs:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contract
termination costs
|
|
$
|
115,000
|
|
$
|
405,000
|
|
|
Settlement
of purchase commitment
|
|
|
106,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Other
costs
|
|
|
20,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
241,000
|
|
$
|
405,000
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charged
to discontinued operations through March 31, 2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contract
termination costs
|
|
$
|
115,000
|
|
|
405,000
|
|
|
Settlement
of purchase commitment
|
|
|
106,000
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Other
costs
|
|
|
4,748
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
225,748
|
|
$
|
405,000
|
|
Net
current liabilities of discontinued operations at March 31, 2007 include
accounts payable and accruals totaling approximately $626,000 related to the
estimated shut-down costs summarized above. The Company currently expects the
shutdown of its computer games and VoIP telephony services businesses to be
substantially completed by the end of the second quarter of 2007.
(4)
STOCK
OPTION PLANS
We
have
several stock option plans under which nonqualified stock options may be granted
to officers, directors, other employees, consultants and advisors of the
Company. In general, options granted under the Company’s stock option plans
expire after a ten-year period and generally vest no later than three years
from
the date of grant. Incentive options granted to stockholders who own greater
than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the
Company must be issued at 110% of the fair market value of the stock on the
date
the options are granted. As of March 31, 2007, there were approximately
4,061,000 shares available for grant under the Company’s stock option
plans.
A
total
of 100,000 stock options were granted during the three months ended March 31,
2007, with a weighted-average fair value of $0.07. During the three months
ended
March 31, 2006, a total of 1,110,000 stock options were issued with a
weighted-average fair value of $0.27.
There
were no stock option exercises during the three months ended March 31, 2007.
Stock option exercises during the three months ended March 31, 2006, resulted
in
cash inflows to the Company of $18,420. The corresponding intrinsic value as
of
exercise date of the 349,474 stock options exercised during the three months
ended March 31, 2006, was $119,628.
Stock
option activity during the three months ended March 31, 2007 was as
follows:
|
|
|
Total
Options
|
|
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
|
|
|
Outstanding
at December 31, 2006
|
|
|
20,142,620
|
|
$
|
0.36
|
|
|
Granted
|
|
|
100,000
|
|
|
0.08
|
|
|
Exercised
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
Canceled
|
|
|
(1,319,580
|
)
|
|
0.12
|
|
|
Outstanding
at March 31, 2007
|
|
|
18,923,040
|
|
$
|
0.38
|
|
|
Options
exercisable at March 31, 2007
|
|
|
16,882,547
|
|
$
|
0.41
|
|
The
weighted-average remaining contractual terms of stock options outstanding and
stock options exercisable at March 31, 2007 were 7.2 years and 7.0
years, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value of both options outstanding
and stock options exercisable at March 31, 2007 was approximately
$147,000.
Stock
compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting
period. Stock compensation expense totaling $104,656 was charged to continuing
operations during the three months ended March 31, 2007, including $3,136 of
expense resulting from the vesting of non-employee stock options and
approximately $34,423 from the accelerated vesting of stock options issued
to
terminated employees. During the three months ended March 31, 2006, stock
compensation expense of $176,002 charged to continuing operations included
$94,233 of expense related to the vesting of non-employee stock options granted
in prior years and $5,619 from the accelerated vesting of stock options issued
to terminated employees.
At
March
31, 2007, there was approximately $147,000 of unrecognized compensation expense
related to unvested stock options which is expected to be recognized over a
weighted-average period of 1.2 years.
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 2007: no dividend yield; an expected life of
approximately six years;
115%
expected volatility and a risk free interest rate of 4.85%.
The risk
free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield in effect at the time
of
grant; the expected life is based on historical and expected exercise behavior;
and expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s
stock price, over a time period that is consistent with the expected life of
the
option.
(5)
LITIGATION
On
June
1, 2006, MySpace, Inc. (“MySpace”), a Delaware corporation, filed a lawsuit in
the United States District Court for the Central District of California against
theglobe.com, inc. (the “Company”). We were served with the lawsuit on June 6,
2006. MySpace alleged that the Company sent at least 100,000 unsolicited and
unauthorized commercial email messages to MySpace members using MySpace user
accounts improperly established by the Company, that the user accounts were
used
in a false and misleading fashion and that the Company's alleged activities
constituted violations of the CAN-SPAM Act, the Lanham Act and California
Business & Professions Code § 17529.5 (the “California Act”), as well as
trademark infringement, false advertising, breach of contract, breach of the
covenant of good faith and fair dealing, and unfair competition. MySpace seeks
monetary penalties, damages and injunctive relief for these alleged violations.
It asserts entitlement to recover "a minimum of" $62.3 million of damages,
in
addition to three times the amount of MySpace's actual damages and/or
disgorgement of the Company's purported profits from alleged violations of
the
Lanham Act, punitive damages and attorneys’ fees. Subsequent discovery in the
case disclosed that the total number of unsolicited messages was approximately
400,000.
On
February 28, 2007, the Court entered an order (the “Order”) granting in part
MySpace’s motion for summary judgment, finding that the Company was liable for
violation of the CAN-SPAM Act and the California Business & Professions
Code, and for breach of contract (as embodied in MySpace’s “Terms of Service”
contract). The Order also upheld as valid that portion of MySpace’s Terms of
Service contract which provides for liquidated damages of $50 per email message
sent after March 17, 2006 in violation of such Terms. The Company estimates
that
approximately 110,000 of the emails in question were sent after such date,
which
could result in damages of approximately $5.5 million. In addition, the CAN-SPAM
Act provides for statutory damages of between $100 and $300 per email sent
in
violation of the statute. Total damages under CAN-SPAM could therefore range
between about $40 million to about $120 million. In addition, under the
California Act, statutory damages of $1,000,000 “per incident” could be
assessed.
On
March
15, 2007, the Company entered into a Settlement Agreement with MySpace whereby
it agreed to pay MySpace $2,550,000 on or before April 5, 2007 in exchange
for a
mutual release of all claims against one another, including any claims against
the Company’s directors and officers. As part of the settlement, Michael Egan,
the Company’s CEO, who is also an affiliate of the Company, agreed to enter into
an agreement with MySpace on or before April 5th pursuant to which he would,
among other things, provide a letter of credit, cash or other equivalent
security (collectively, “Security”) in form and substance satisfactory to
MySpace. Such Security is to expire and be released on the 100th day following
the Company’s payment of the foregoing $2,550,000 so long as no bankruptcy
petition, assignment for the benefit of creditors or like liquidation,
reorganization or insolvency proceeding is instituted or filed related to the
Company during such 100-day period. In accordance with SFAS No. 5, “Accounting
for Contingencies,” the payment required by the Settlement Agreement has been
included in accrued liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated
balance sheets.
On
April
2, 2007, theglobe agreed to transfer to Michael Egan all of its VoIP
intellectual property in consideration for his agreement to provide the Security
in connection with the Settlement Agreement. On April 13, 2007, Michael Egan
and
an entity wholly-owned by Michael Egan, and MySpace entered into a Security
Agreement, an Indemnity Agreement and an Escrow Agreement (the “Security
Agreements”) providing for the Security. On April 18, 2007, theglobe paid
MySpace $2,550,000 in cash as settlement of the claims. MySpace and theglobe
filed a consent judgment and stipulated permanent injunction with the Court
on
April 19, 2007, which among other things, dismissed all claims alleged in the
lawsuit with prejudice.
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 (the “focus cases”) and noted
that the decision is intended to provide strong guidance to all parties
regarding class certification in the remaining cases. The Underwriter Defendants
appealed the decision and the Second Circuit vacated the District Court’s
decision granting class certification in those six cases on December 5, 2006.
Plaintiffs filed a motion for rehearing. On April 6, 2007, the Second Circuit
denied the petition, but noted that Plaintiffs could ask the District Court
to
certify a more narrow class than the one that was rejected. Plaintiffs have
not
yet moved to certify a class in theglobe.com case.
Prior
to
the Second Circuit’s December 5, 2006 ruling the Company 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. These agreements
were
submitted to the Court for approval. The settlement would have provided, among
other things, a release of the Company and of the Individual Defendants for
the
conduct alleged to be wrongful in the complaint in exchange for a guarantee
from
the Company’s insurers regarding recovery from the underwriter defendants and
other consideration from the Company regarding its underwriters. In light of
the
Second Circuit opinion, liaison counsel for the issuers informed the District
Court that the settlement cannot be approved because the defined settlement
class, like the litigation class, cannot be certified. We cannot predict whether
we will be able to renegotiate a settlement that complies with the Second
Circuit’s mandate.
Due
to
the inherent uncertainties of litigation, we cannot accurately predict the
ultimate outcome of the matter. If 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.
The
Company is currently a party to certain other claims and disputes arising in
the
ordinary course of business. 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.
(6)
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
On
April
18, 2007, the Company paid $2,550,000 to MySpace pursuant to a Settlement
Agreement dated March 15, 2007. See Note 5, “Litigation,” for further
discussion.
|
|
MANAGEMENT'S
DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS
|
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:
|
·
|
implementing
our business plans;
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
marketing
and commercialization of our products and services;
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
plans
for future products and services and for enhancements of existing
products
and services;
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
our
ability to implement cost-reduction programs;
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
potential
governmental regulation and taxation;
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
the
outcome of pending litigation;
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
our
intellectual property;
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
our
estimates of future revenue and profitability;
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
our
estimates or expectations of continued losses;
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
our
expectations regarding future expenses, including cost of revenue,
product
development, sales and marketing, and general and administrative
expenses;
|
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·
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difficulty
or inability to raise additional financing, if needed, on terms acceptable
to us;
|
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·
|
our
estimates regarding our capital requirements and our needs for additional
financing;
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·
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attracting
and retaining customers and employees;
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·
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rapid
technological changes in our industry and relevant
markets;
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·
|
sources
of revenue and anticipated revenue;
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·
|
implementation
of our shutdown of certain businesses and our estimate of the associated
costs;
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·
|
our
ability to sell and/or recover certain business assets;
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·
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competition
in our market; and
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·
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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-K for the year ended December 31, 2006.
OVERVIEW
As
of
March 31, 2007, theglobe.com, inc. (the "Company" or "theglobe") managed a
single line of business, Internet services, consisting of Tralliance Corporation
(“Tralliance”) which is the registry for the “.travel” top-level Internet
domain. We acquired Tralliance on May 9, 2005. Prior to the end of the 2007
first quarter, management and the Board of Directors of the Company made the
decision to cease all activities related to its computer games and VoIP
telephony services businesses. Results of operations for the computer games
and
VoIP telephony services businesses have been reported separately as
“Discontinued Operations” in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements
of operations for all periods presented. The assets and liabilities of the
computer games and VoIP telephony services businesses 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 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL
STATEMENTS
We
received a report from our independent accountants, relating to our December
31,
2006 audited financial statements, containing a paragraph stating that our
recurring losses from operations and our accumulated deficit raise substantial
doubt about our ability to continue as a going concern. 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. Based upon our current cash resources of approximately
$480
thousand at May 4, 2007, management does not believe the Company can operate
as
a going concern beyond May 2007. See “Future and Critical Need for Capital”
section of this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations for further details.
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.
DESCRIPTION
OF BUSINESS—CONTINUING OPERATIONS
OUR
INTERNET SERVICES BUSINESS
Tralliance
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
entered into a Loan and Purchase Option Agreement, as amended, with Tralliance
in which theglobe agreed to fund, in the form of a loan, at the discretion
of
theglobe, 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 exclusive registry for
the
“.travel” top-level domain for an initial period of ten years. Renewal of the
ICANN contract beyond the initial ten year term is conditioned upon the
negotiation of renewal terms reasonably acceptable to ICANN. 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.
Effective May 9, 2005, theglobe exercised its option to purchase Tralliance.
The
establishment of the “.travel” top-level domain enables businesses,
organizations, governmental agencies and other enterprises that operate within
the travel and tourism industry to establish a unique Internet domain name
from
which to communicate and conduct commerce. An Internet domain name is made
up of
a top-level domain and a second-level domain. For example, in the domain name
“companyX.travel”, “companyX” is the second-level domain and “.travel” is the
top-level domain. As the registry for the “.travel” top-level domain, Tralliance
is responsible for maintaining the master database of all second-level “.travel”
domain names and their corresponding Internet Protocol (“IP”) addresses.
To
facilitate the “.travel” domain name registration process, Tralliance has
entered into contracts with a number of registrars. These registrars act as
intermediaries between Tralliance and customers (referred to as registrants)
seeking to register “.travel” domain names. The registrars handle the billing
and collection of registration fees, customer service and technical management
of the registration database. Registrants can register “.travel” domain names
for terms of one year (minimum) up to 10 years (maximum). The registrars retain
a portion of the registration fee collected by them as their compensation and
remit the remainder, presently $80 per domain name per year, of the registration
fee to Tralliance.
In
order
to register a “.travel” domain name, a registrant must first be verified as
being eligible (“authenticated”) by virtue of being a valid participant in the
travel industry. Additionally, eligibility data is required to be updated and
reviewed annually, subsequent to initial registration. Once authenticated,
a
registrant is only permitted to register “.travel” domain names that are
associated with the registrant’s business or organization. Tralliance has
entered into contracts with a number of travel associations or other independent
organizations (“authentication providers”) whereby, in consideration for the
payment of fixed and/or variable fees, all required authentication procedures
are performed by such authentication providers. Tralliance has also outsourced
various other registry operations, database maintenance and policy formulation
functions to certain other independent businesses or organizations in
consideration for the payment of certain fixed and/or variable fees.
In
launching the “.travel” top-level domain registry, Tralliance adopted a phased
approach consisting of three distinct stages. During the third quarter of 2005,
Tralliance implemented phase one, which consisted of a pre-authentication of
a
limited group of potential registrants. During the fourth quarter of 2005,
Tralliance implemented phase two, which involved the registration of the limited
group of registrants who had been pre-authenticated. It was during this limited
registration phase that Tralliance initially began collecting registration
fees
from its “.travel” registrars. Finally, in January 2006, Tralliance commenced
the final phase of its launch, which culminated in live “.travel” registry
operations. As of March 31, 2007 the total number of “.travel” domain names
registered approximated 25,200.
On
August
15, 2006, the Company introduced its online search engine dedicated to the
travel industry,
www.search.travel
. The search engine was developed by
Tralliance to benefit both consumers at large and “.travel” domain name
registrants, as the search engine delivers qualified search results from the
entire World Wide Web, giving priority to destinations and businesses that
are
authenticated “.travel” registrants. During August 2006, the Company launched a
national television campaign to promote the new search engine and website.
The
Company has begun marketing the
www.search.travel
website to potential
advertisers interested in targeting the travel consumer and plans to seek
additional net revenue through the sale of advertising sponsorships. As of
March
31, 2007, advertising net revenue attributable to the
www.search.travel
website has not been significant.
DESCRIPTION
OF BUSINESS---DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
COMPUTER
GAMES BUSINESS
In
February 2000, the Company entered the computer games business by acquiring
Computer Games Magazine, a print publication for personal computer (“PC”)
gamers; CGOnline, the online counterpart to Computer Games magazine; and Chips
& Bits, an e-commerce games distribution business. Historically, content of
Computer Games Magazine and CGOnline focused primarily on the PC games market
niche.
During
2004, the Company developed and began to implement plans to expand its business
beyond games and into other areas of the entertainment industry. 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 covered movies, DVD’s, television, music, games, comics
and anime, and was designed to fulfill the wider pop culture interests of
readers and to attract a more diverse group of advertisers: autos, television,
telecommunications and film to name a few. During 2005, the Now Playing online
website (
www.nowplaying.com
),
the
online counterpart for Now Playing magazine, was implemented and costs were
also
incurred to develop a new corporate website (
www.theglobe.com
),
also
targeted at the broader entertainment marketplace.
In
August
2005, based upon a re-evaluation of the capital requirements and risks/rewards
related to completing the transition to a broader-based entertainment business,
the Company decided to abort its diversification efforts and refocus its
strategy back to operating and improving its traditional games-based businesses.
During the remainder of 2005, the Company implemented a number of revenue
enhancement programs, including establishing a used game auction website
(
www.gameswapzone.com
),
introducing a digital version of its Computer Games Magazine, and entering
into
several marketing partnership affiliate programs. Additionally, during the
latter part of 2005, the Company completed the implementation of a number of
cost-reduction programs related to facility consolidations, headcount
reductions, and decreases in magazine publishing and sales costs
.
In
January 2006, the Company completed the sale of all assets related to Now
Playing Magazine and the Now Playing Online website for approximately $130,000.
The
premiere issue of a new quarterly print publication, Massive Magazine (renamed
MMOGames Magazine in 2007), was released in September 2006. The new magazine
was
dedicated solely to “massively multiplayer online” games (“MMO” games) and
included features on the culture of MMO games, focusing on players, guilds
and
communities. The editorial staff of Computer Games Magazine produced the content
for the new magazine. The new magazine was also accompanied by a complementary
website ( www.mmogamesmag.com).
In
March
2007, management and the Board of Directors of the Company made the decision
to
cease all activities related to its Computer Games businesses, including
discontinuing the operations of its magazine publications, games distribution
business and related websites. The Company’s decision to shutdown its Computer
Games businesses was based primarily on the historical losses sustained by
these
businesses during the recent past and management’s expectations of continued
future losses. The Company is currently in the process of implementing a
business shutdown plan, which includes the termination of employee and vendor
relationships and the collection and payment of outstanding accounts receivables
and payables. We are also attempting to sell certain of the businesses’
component assets; however, we do not expect the proceeds from such sales to
be
significant.
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 allowed customers
to
communicate using VoIP technology for dramatically reduced pricing compared
to
traditional telephony networks. The services also offered traditional telephony
features such as voicemail, caller ID, call forwarding, and call waiting for
no
additional cost to the customer, as well as incremental services that were
not
then 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 enabled users to chat via voice or text across multiple
platforms using their preferred instant messenger service. During the second
quarter of 2005, the Company released a number of new VoIP products and features
which allowed users to communicate via mobile phones, traditional land line
phones and/or computers. From the initial launch of its VoIP services in 2003
through 2005, the Company continued to expand its VoIP network, which was
comprised of switching hardware and software, servers, billing and inventory
systems, and telecommunication carrier contractual relationships. Throughout
this period, the capacity of our VoIP network greatly exceeded usage.
The
Company’s retail VoIP service plans had included both “peer-to-peer” plans, for
which subscribers were able to place calls free of charge over the Internet
to
other subscribers’ Internet connections, and “paid” plans which involved
interconnection with the PSTN and for which subscribers were charged certain
fixed and/or variable service charges.
During
2003 through 2005, the Company attempted to market and distribute its VoIP
retail products through various direct and indirect sales channels including
Internet advertising, structured customer referral programs, network marketing,
television infomercials and partnerships with third party national retailers.
None of the marketing and sales programs implemented during these years were
successful in generating a significant number of “paid” plan customers or
revenue. The Company’s marketing efforts during this period of time achieved
only limited success in developing a “peer-to-peer” subscriber base of free
service plan users.
During
2006, the Company re-focused its efforts on VoIP product development. During the
first quarter of 2006, the Company developed a plan to reconfigure, phase out
and eliminate certain components of its existing VoIP network. During the second
quarter of 2006, the Company discontinued offering service to its small existing
“paid” plan customer base and completed the implementation of its plan to
significantly reduce the excess capacity and operating costs of its VoIP
network. During November 2006, the Company entered into a license agreement
with
Speecho, LLC, which granted a license to use the Company’s chat, VoIP and video
communications technology for a monthly license fee of $10,000 per month with
an
initial term of ten years. The Company’s Chairman, the Company’s President and
the Company’s Vice President of Finance, as well as certain other current and
former employees of the Company, are members of a company that owns 50% of
the
membership interests in Speecho, LLC.
In
March
2007, management and the Board of Directors of the Company decided to
discontinue the operating, research and development activities of its VoIP
telephony services business and terminate all of the remaining employees of
the
business. On April 2, 2007, theglobe agreed to transfer to Michael Egan all
of
its VoIP intellectual property in consideration for his agreement to provide
the
Security in connection with the MySpace litigation Settlement Agreement (See
Note 5, “Litigation,” in the accompanying Notes to Unaudited Condensed
Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion).
The
Company had previously written off the value of the VoIP intellectual property
as a result of its evaluation of the VoIP telephony services business’
long-lived assets in connection with the preparation of the Company’s 2004
year-end consolidated financial statements. The Company’s decision to
discontinue the operations of its VoIP telephony services business was based
primarily on the historical losses sustained by the business during the past
several years, management’s expectations of continued losses for the foreseeable
future and estimates of the amount of capital required to attempt to
successfully monetize its business.
RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS
THREE
MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2007 COMPARED TO
THE
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2006
CONTINUING
OPERATIONS
NET
REVENUE. Net revenue totaled $432 thousand for the three months ended March
31,
2007 as compared to $314 thousand for the three months ended March 31, 2006,
an
increase of approximately $118 thousand, or 38%, from the prior year
period.
Net
revenue attributable to domain name registrations is recognized as revenue
on a
straight-line basis over the term of the registrations. Total domain names
registered as of the end of the first quarter of 2007 and 2006 approximated
25.2
thousand and 17.6 thousand, respectively.
COST
OF
REVENUE. Cost of revenue totaled $102 thousand for the three months ended March
31, 2007, a decline of $28 thousand, or 21%, from the $130 thousand reported
for
the three months ended March 31, 2006.
Cost
of
revenue consists primarily of fees paid to third party service providers which
furnish outsourced services, including verification of registration eligibility,
maintenance of the “.travel” directory of consumer-oriented registrant travel
data, as well as other services. Fees for some of these services vary based
on
transaction levels or transaction types. Fees for outsourced services are
generally deferred and amortized to cost of revenue over the term of the related
domain name registration. Cost of revenue as a percent of net revenue was
approximately 24% for the first quarter of 2007 as compared to 42% for the
same
period of 2006. The decline in cost of revenue as compared to the 2006 first
quarter was due primarily to Tralliance performing more verifications of
registration eligibility in-house during the first quarter of 2007.
SALES
AND
MARKETING. Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of salaries and
related expenses of sales and marketing personnel, commissions, consulting,
advertising and marketing costs, public relations expenses and promotional
activities. Sales and marketing expenses totaled $640 thousand for the three
months ended March 31, 2007 versus $579 thousand for the same period in 2006.
Beginning in the third quarter of 2006, Tralliance has engaged several outside
parties to promote our registry operations and the www.search.travel website
internationally, which resulted in an increase in sales and marketing costs
of
approximately $237 thousand as compared to the first quarter of 2006. Partially
offsetting this increase in comparison to the 2006 first quarter was a decrease
of approximately $176 thousand in costs associated with attendance at trade
shows and conventions and the acquisition of promotional items.
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, and general
corporate overhead costs. General and administrative expenses totaled
approximately $1.2 million in the first quarter of 2007 as compared to $1.3
million for the same quarter of the prior year, a decline of $51 thousand,
or
approximately 4%. A $291 thousand increase in personnel costs was more than
offset by declines in the majority of other general and administrative expense
categories in comparison to the first quarter of 2006. Throughout 2006 and
the
first quarter of 2007, we hired additional staff to accommodate the increase
in
authentication and registration activity experienced by Tralliance.
Additionally, during 2006, certain employees of the VoIP telephony services
division were reassigned to Tralliance.
DEPRECIATION
AND AMORTIZATION. Depreciation and amortization expense totaled $59 thousand
for
the three months ended March 31, 2007 as compared to $87 thousand for the three
months ended March 31, 2006, or a decline of $28 thousand.
INTEREST
INCOME (EXPENSE), NET. Net interest expense of $34 thousand was reported for
the
first quarter of 2007 compared to net interest income of $62 thousand reported
for the first quarter of the prior year. As a result of the Company’s net loss
incurred during 2006, the Company had a lower level of funds available for
investment during the first quarter of 2007 as compared to the same quarter
of
the prior year.
INCOME
TAXES. No tax benefit was recorded for the losses incurred during the first
quarter of 2007 or the first quarter of 2006 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. As of December 31,
2006,
we had net operating loss carryforwards which may be potentially available
for
U.S. tax purposes of approximately $162 million. These carryforwards expire
through 2026. 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, we have substantially limited 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
The
loss
from discontinued operations, net of income taxes totaled approximately $1.2
million in the first quarter of 2007 as compared to a net loss of $2.8 million
during the first quarter of 2006 and is summarized as follows:
|
|
|
Computer
Games
|
|
VoIP
Telephony Services
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Three
months ended March 31, 2007:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
revenue
|
|
$
|
588,499
|
|
$
|
374
|
|
$
|
588,873
|
|
|
Operating
expenses
|
|
|
(952,973
|
)
|
|
(830,529
|
)
|
|
(1,783,502
|
)
|
|
Other
income, net
|
|
|
—
|
|
|
33,593
|
|
|
33,593
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(364,474
|
)
|
$
|
(796,562
|
)
|
$
|
(1,161,036
|
)
|
|
|
|
Computer
Games
|
|
VoIP
Telephony Services
|
|
Total
|
|
|
Three
months ended March 31, 2006:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
revenue
|
|
$
|
366,920
|
|
$
|
20,624
|
|
$
|
387,544
|
|
|
Operating
expenses
|
|
|
(671,133
|
)
|
|
(2,693,731
|
)
|
|
(3,364,864
|
)
|
|
Other
income (expense), net
|
|
|
130,000
|
|
|
(1,082
|
)
|
|
128,918
|
|
|
|
|
$
|
(174,213
|
)
|
$
|
(2,674,189
|
)
|
$
|
(2,848,402
|
)
|
Net
revenue of the computer games division increased $222 thousand compared to
the
first quarter of 2006 primarily due to increased advertising revenue in our
magazine focused on PC gaming. Operating expenses of the computer games division
increased $282 thousand in comparison to the first quarter of 2006, principally
due to charges related to the shutdown of the business, including estimated
contract termination charges. Other income, net recorded during the first
quarter of 2006 represented the $130 thousand gain on the sale of Now Playing
magazine.
Operating
expenses of the VoIP telephony services division declined approximately $1.9
million in comparison to the first quarter of 2006. Throughout 2006, the Company
placed significant emphasis on the reduction of costs of the VoIP telephony
services division. Efforts included the renegotiation, non-renewal and/or
termination of certain network agreements, as well as reduction of network
personnel costs. The Company also significantly reduced its sales and marketing
spending throughout 2006. In connection with the cut backs in spending within
the VoIP telephony services business implemented during 2006, the Company also
reassigned certain personnel to fill open positions within the Tralliance
registry business. These factors were the principal contributors to the decline
in operating expenses incurred by the VoIP telephony services division as
compared to the first quarter of 2006.
LIQUIDITY
AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
CASH
FLOW ITEMS
As
of
March 31, 2007, we had approximately $3.5 million in cash and cash equivalents
as compared to $5.3 million as of December 31, 2006. Net cash flows used in
operating activities of continuing operations totaled $1.3 million and $2.7
million, for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2006, respectively,
or a
decrease of approximately $1.4 million. The impact of the payment of $806
thousand in income tax liabilities during the first quarter of 2006, coupled
with a reduction in the payment of accounts payables, accrued liabilities and
other current liabilities during the first quarter of 2007 as compared to the
same quarter of the prior year, were the primary factors contributing to the
lower level of cash used in operating activities of continuing operations.
A
total
of $497 thousand in net cash flows were used in the operating activities of
discontinued operations during the first quarter of 2007 as compared to a use
of
approximately $2.2 million of cash in operating activities of discontinued
operations during the same period of the prior year. The lower level of cash
used by operating activities of our discontinued businesses was primarily the
result of the decrease of approximately $1.7 million in net losses of the
businesses as compared to the first quarter of 2006.
Net
cash
flows of $786 thousand were provided by investing activities of continuing
operations during the first three months of 2006. As a result of the October
2005 sale of our SendTec, Inc. marketing services business, we were required
to
place $1.0 million of cash in an escrow account to secure our indemnification
obligations. On March 31, 2006, pursuant to the related escrow agreement, $750
thousand of the escrow funds were released to the Company.
FUTURE
AND CRITICAL NEED FOR CAPITAL
For
the
reasons described below, Company management does not believe that cash on hand
and cash flow generated internally by the Company will be adequate to fund
the
operation of its businesses beyond a short period of time. Additionally, we
have
received a report from our independent accountants, relating to our December
31,
2006 audited financial statements, containing an explanatory paragraph stating
that our recurring losses from operations and our accumulated deficit raise
substantial doubts about our ability to continue as a going
concern.
As
of
March 31, 2007, the Company had a net working capital deficit of approximately
$7.8 million, inclusive of a cash and cash equivalents balance of approximately
$3.5 million. Such working capital deficit included a settlement liability
of
approximately $2.6 million owed to MySpace, Inc. (“MySpace”) in connection with
a lawsuit filed by MySpace against the Company on June 1, 2006 (as more fully
discussed in Note 5, “Litigation”) and an aggregate of $3.4 million in secured
convertible demand notes (the “Convertible Notes”) and accrued interest of
approximately $640 thousand due to entities controlled by Michael Egan, the
Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. On April 18, 2007, the Company
paid MySpace approximately $2.6 million in cash in full settlement of the
aforementioned lawsuit. As of May 4, 2007, the Company had a cash and cash
equivalents balance of approximately $480 thousand. Notwithstanding previous
cost reduction actions taken by the Company and its recent decision to shutdown
its unprofitable computer games and VoIP telephony services businesses in March
2007 (see Note 3, “Discontinued Operations”), the Company continues to incur
substantial consolidated operating losses, although reduced in comparison with
prior periods, and management believes that the Company will continue to be
unprofitable in the foreseeable future. Based upon the Company’s current
financial condition, as discussed above, and without the infusion of additional
capital, management does not believe that the Company will be able to fund
its
operations beyond May 2007.
It
is our
preference to avoid filing for protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.
However, in order to continue operating as a going concern for any length of
time beyond May 2007, we believe that we must quickly raise capital. Although
there is no commitment to do so, any such funds would most likely come from
Michael Egan, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, or affiliates
of Mr. Egan or the Company, as the Company currently has no access to credit
facilities with traditional third parties and has historically relied on
borrowings from related parties to meet short-term liquidity needs. Any such
capital raised would not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933 and
would not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an
applicable exemption from registration requirements. Although the Company is
currently in negotiations with Mr. Egan to provide additional financing, there
can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in raising such capital
or borrowing such funds, and any capital raised will likely result in very
substantial dilution of the number of shares outstanding or which could be
outstanding upon the exercise or conversion of any derivative securities issued
by the Company as part of such capital raise.
In
addition to raising a sufficient amount of capital, we believe that our
long-term financial viability will be determined mainly by our ability to
successfully execute our current and future business plans, including (i)
achieving net growth in the number of “.travel” domain name registrations; (ii)
monetizing our www.search.travel website; (iii) further reducing our operating
expenses; (iv) eliminating future losses incurred by our discontinued
operations; and (v) successfully settling disputed and other outstanding
liabilities related to our discontinued operations. The amount of capital
required to be raised by the Company will be dependent upon the Company’s
performance in executing its current and future business plans, as measured
principally by the time period needed to begin generating positive internal
cash
flow. There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in raising
a
sufficient amount of capital or in executing its business plans. Further, even
if we raise capital and are successful in achieving each of the aforementioned
objectives, if demand for repayment of any or all of the $3.4 million in
outstanding secured debt or related accrued interest is made, there is no
assurance that we will not be required to file for bankruptcy protection at
that
time.
Tralliance,
the Company’s Internet services business, began collecting fees related to its
“.travel” registry business in October 2005. In August 2006, we introduced our
online search engine dedicated to the travel industry,
www.search.travel
,
and
launched a national television campaign to promote the new search engine and
website. During the third quarter of 2006, we also expanded Tralliance’s
domestic and international sales and marketing infrastructure, principally
by
entering into a number of arrangements with third party consultants and
travel-related organizations. At this time, our primary objective is to quickly
and substantially increase Tralliance’s revenue levels. In this regard, we are
focused on accelerating the rate of new “.travel” domain name registrations,
both in the U.S. and in international markets, in order to generate current
revenue and to also provide a base for future registration renewal revenue.
Additionally, we are focused on generating sponsorship and search advertising
revenue streams from our newly established
www.search.travel
search
engine and website. In addition to the factors set forth in the preceding
paragraph, management presently believes that its success in quickly and
substantially increasing Tralliance’s revenue levels will be a critical factor
in the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
In
March
2007 management and the Board of Directors of the Company made the decision
to
cease all activities related to its Computer Games businesses, including
discontinuing the operations of its magazine publications, e-commerce games
distribution business and related websites. The Company’s decision to shutdown
its Computer Games businesses was based primarily on the historical losses
sustained by these businesses during the recent past and management’s
expectations of continued future losses. The Company is currently in the process
of implementing a business shutdown plan, which includes the termination of
employee and vendor relationships and the collection and payment of outstanding
accounts receivables and payables. We are also attempting to sell certain of
the
businesses’ component assets; however, we do not expect the proceeds from such
sales to be significant.
In
addition, in March 2007, management and the Board of Directors of the Company
decided to discontinue the operating, research and development activities of
its
VoIP telephony services business and terminate all of the remaining employees
of
the business. The Company’s decision to discontinue the operations of its VoIP
telephony services business was based primarily on the historical losses
sustained by the business during the past several years, management’s
expectations of continued losses for the foreseeable future and estimates of
the
amount of capital required to attempt to successfully monetize its business.
The
Company is currently in the process of implementing a business shutdown plan,
which includes the termination of its existing carrier and vendor relationships,
as well as the payment and/or settlement of outstanding payables. We are also
attempting to sell certain of the businesses’ component assets; however, we do
not expect the proceeds from such sales to be significant.
We
are in
the process of evaluating the recoverability of our existing computer games
and
VoIP telephony services businesses’ assets, and at this time, we do not
anticipate significant future impairment or other charges in this regard. Any
such charges, if and when determined to be required, will be recorded when
identified. We are also in the process of evaluating the amount of costs
expected to be incurred in shutting down our computer games and VoIP telephony
services businesses. The amount of these shutdown costs, including costs related
to employee termination benefits and vendor contract termination costs are
not
yet certain, however, at the present time, we believe that total cash
expenditures for shutdown costs will range between $20 thousand and $241
thousand for our computer games business and between zero and $405 thousand
for
our VoIP telephony services business. We currently expect the shutdown of our
computer games and VoIP telephony services businesses to be substantially
completed by the end of the second quarter of 2007.
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
subject to the requirements of Rule 15g-9 of the Exchange Act. Under Rule
15g-9, brokers who recommend penny stocks 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. 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 2007 and 2006, 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 receivables,
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
Continuing
Operations -
INTERNET
SERVICES
Internet
services net revenue consists principally of registration fees for Internet
domain registrations, which generally have terms of one year, but may be up
to
ten years. Such registration fees are reported net of transaction fees paid
to
an unrelated third party which serves as the registry operator for the Company.
Net registration fee revenue is recognized on a straight line basis over the
registrations' terms.
Discontinued
Operations -
COMPUTER
GAMES BUSINESSES
Advertising
revenues for the Company's magazine publications was recognized at the
on-sale date of the magazines.
Newsstand
sales of the Company's magazine publications were recognized at the on-sale
date of the magazines, net of provisions for estimated returns. Subscription
revenue, net of agency fees, was deferred when initially received and
recognized as income ratably over the subscription term.
Sales
of
games and related products from the online store were recognized as revenue
when
the product was shipped to the customer. Amounts billed to customers for
shipping and handling charges were included in net revenue. The Company provided
an allowance for returns of merchandise sold through its online store.
VOIP
TELEPHONY SERVICES
VoIP
telephony services revenue represented fees charged to customers for voice
services and was recognized based on minutes of customer usage or as services
were provided. The Company recorded payments received in advance for prepaid
services as deferred revenue until the related services were
provided.
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.
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:
|
·
|
significant
under-performance relative to historical, expected or projected future
operating results;
|
|
|
|
|
·
|
significant
changes in the manner of our use of the acquired assets or the strategy
for our overall business; and
|
|
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·
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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
The
Company's long-lived assets primarily consist of property and equipment,
capitalized costs of internal-use software, and values attributable to covenants
not to compete.
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
February 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued SFAS No.
159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.”
SFAS No. 159 expands the scope of what entities may carry at fair value by
offering an irrevocable option to record many types of financial assets and
liabilities at fair value. Changes in fair value would be recorded in an
entity’s income statement. This accounting standard also establishes
presentation and disclosure requirements that are intended to facilitate
comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for
similar types of assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 159 is effective for the
Company on January 1, 2008. Earlier application is permitted under certain
circumstances. We are currently evaluating the requirements of SFAS No. 159
and
have not yet determined the impact on our consolidated financial
statements.
In
September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements.” This
standard defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value
in
generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosure about fair
value
measurements. SFAS No. 157 applies to other accounting standards that require
or
permit fair value measurements. Accordingly, this statement does not require
any
new fair value measurement. This statement is effective for fiscal years
beginning after November 15, 2007 and interim periods within those fiscal years.
We are currently evaluating the requirements of SFAS No. 157 and have not
determined the impact on our consolidated financial statements.
In
September 2006, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 108,
“Considering the Effects of Prior Year Misstatements when Quantifying
Misstatements in Current Year Financial Statements.” SAB No. 108 addresses how
the effects of prior year uncorrected misstatements should be considered when
quantifying misstatements in current year financial statements. SAB No. 108
requires companies to quantify misstatements using a balance sheet and income
statement approach and to evaluate whether either approach results in
quantifying an error that is material in light of relevant quantitative and
qualitative factors. SAB No. 108 permits existing public companies to initially
apply its provisions either by (i) restating prior financial statements as
if
the “dual approach” had always been used or (ii) recording the cumulative effect
of initially applying the “dual approach” as adjustments to the carrying value
of assets and liabilities as of January 1, 2006 with an offsetting adjustment
recorded to the opening balance of retained earnings. Use of the “cumulative
effect” transition method requires detailed disclosure of the nature and amount
of each individual error being corrected through the cumulative adjustment
and
how and when it arose
.
The
adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s
financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.
In
June
2006, the FASB issued Interpretation (“FIN”) No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty
in Income Taxes,” an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109, “Accounting for
Income Taxes,” which clarifies accounting for and disclosure of uncertainty in
tax positions. FIN No. 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement
attribute for the financial recognition and measurement of a tax position taken
or expected to be taken in a tax return. The interpretation is effective for
fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. We have evaluated the impact
of
adopting FIN No. 48 on our consolidated financial statements, and the adoption
of FIN No. 48 did not have a material effect on our consolidated financial
position, cash flows and results of operations.