As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 3, 2017
Registration No. 333-__________
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
DIGITAL
ALLY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada | 20-0064269 | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(IRS Employer Identification Number) |
Digital
Ally, Inc.
9705 Loiret Blvd.
Lenexa, KS. 66219
(913) 814-7774
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)
Stanton
E. Ross
President and Chief Executive Officer
Digital Ally, Inc.
9705 Loiret Blvd.
Lenexa, KS. 66219
(913) 814-7774
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies
to:
Christian J. Hoffmann, III
Securities Counsel
Digital
Ally, Inc.
9705 Loiret Blvd.
Lenexa, KS. 66219
(913) 814-7774
Approximate
date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:
From time to time after this registration statement becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. [ ]
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. [X]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
If this Form is a registration statement pursuant to General Instruction I.D. or a post-effective amendment thereto that shall become effective upon filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act, check the following box. [ ]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment to a registration statement filed pursuant to General Instruction I.D. filed to register additional securities or additional classes of securities pursuant to Rule 413(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box. [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer [ ] | Accelerated filer [ ] | Non-accelerated filer [ ] | Smaller reporting company [X] |
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company) |
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Each Class of Securities to be Registered | Amount to be Registered(1) | Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Share(2) | Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(2) | Amount of Registration Fee | ||||||||||||
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, issuable upon exercise of Common Stock Purchase Warrants(2) | 800,000 | $ | 5.00 | $ | 4,000,000 | $ | 463.60 |
(1) | Pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, the securities being registered hereunder also include such indeterminate number of additional shares of common stock as may be issuable as a result of stock splits, stock dividends, and similar transactions. |
(2) | Pursuant to Rule 457(g) under the Securities Act of 1933, the proposed maximum offering price (and, accordingly, the amount of the registration fee) has been calculated based on the exercise price of the Common Stock Purchase Warrants and the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of such Warrants. |
The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is declared effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED April 3, 2017
PROSPECTUS
DIGITAL ALLY, INC.
800,000 Shares of Common Stock
This prospectus covers an aggregate of up to 800,000 shares of our common stock, $0.001 par value per share that may be offered from time to time by the selling stockholders named in this prospectus. The shares being offered by this prospectus consist of:
● | up to 800,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of Common Stock Purchase Warrants (the “Warrants”). |
This prospectus also covers any additional shares of common stock that may become issuable upon any anti-dilution adjustment pursuant to the terms of the Warrants issued to the selling stockholders by reason of stock splits, stock dividends, and other events described therein. We issued the Warrants to the selling stockholders in a private placement we made to them that closed on December 30, 2016 (the “Private Placement”).
Before purchasing any of the shares covered by this prospectus, carefully read and consider the risk factors in the section entitled “Risk Factors.”
Our common stock is currently quoted on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “DGLY.” On March 26, 2017 the last reported sales price of our common stock was $4.11 per share.
Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the matters discussed under the section entitled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus and included in our periodic reports and other information filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission before investing in our common stock.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities, or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this Prospectus is April __, 2017
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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About this Prospectus
This prospectus forms a part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) using a “shelf” registration process. Under the shelf registration rules, using this prospectus and, if required, one or more prospectus supplements, the stockholders identified in this prospectus may sell, from time to time, the securities covered by this prospectus in one or more offerings.
We may provide a prospectus supplement containing specific information about the terms of a particular offering by any of the selling stockholders. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. If the information in this prospectus is inconsistent with a prospectus supplement, you should rely on the information in that prospectus supplement. You should also carefully read the additional information and documents described under “Where You Can Find Additional Information.”
You should rely only on the information contained in this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement or incorporated by reference into these documents. No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement. If anyone provides you with different, inconsistent or unauthorized information or representations, you must not rely on them. This prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement are an offer to sell only the securities offered by these documents, but only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. The information contained in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement is current only as of the date on the front of those documents.
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This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Because this summary provides only a brief overview of the key aspects of the offering, it does not contain all the information that you should consider before investing in our common stock. You should read the entire prospectus carefully, including “Risk Factors, “and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and the documents incorporated by reference, which are described under “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” before making an investment decision. As used in this prospectus, unless otherwise indicated, “we,” “our,” “us” or similar terms refer collectively to Digital Ally, Inc.
Overview
Digital Ally produces digital video imaging and storage products for use in law enforcement, security and commercial applications. Our current products are an in-car digital video/audio recorder contained in a rear-view mirror for use in law enforcement and commercial fleets, a system that provides our law enforcement customers with audio/video surveillance from multiple vantage points and hands-free automatic activation of body-worn cameras and in-car video systems; a weather-resistant mobile digital video recording system for use on motorcycles, ATV’s and boats, a miniature digital video system designed to be worn on an individual’s body; a hand-held laser speed detection device that it is offering primarily to law enforcement agencies; and cloud storage solutions. We have active research and development programs to adapt our technologies to other applications. We can integrate electronic, radio, computer, mechanical, and multi-media technologies to create unique solutions to address needs in a variety of other industries and markets, including mass transit, school bus, taxi cab and the military. We sell our products to law enforcement agencies and other security organizations, and consumer and commercial fleet operators through direct sales domestically and third-party distributors internationally.
Products
We produce and sell digital audio/video recording, storage and other products, including the following product series:
● | in-car, digital audio/video system that is integrated into a rear-view mirror which is designed for law enforcement purposes. Products using this system are marketed under the DVM-100, DVM-400, DVM-750, DVM-800 and DVM-800 HD series;
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● | in-car, digital audio/video system that is compact and mobile to allow for a variety of installation locations within a car and designed for law enforcement purposes. This product is marketed under the MicroVU HD label; | |
● | in-car, digital audio/video system that is integrated into a rear-view mirror that serves as an “event recorder” for commercial fleet and mass transit applications, such as ambulances, taxis and buses. Products using this system are marketed under the DVM-250 Plus series; | |
● | all-weather, mobile digital audio/video system that is designed for motorcycle, ATV and boat uses and marketed as the DVM-440 Ultra; | |
● | miniature, body-worn digital audio/video camera marketed as the FirstVU HD system; | |
● | hand-held, speed detection system known based on LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) and marketed as our Laser Ally system; | |
● | software system that provides audio/video surveillance from multiple vantage points in order to more fully capture an event and allows the operator to quickly and easily reassemble the various recording devices marketed as our VuLink system; | |
● | cost-effective, fully expandable, law enforcement cloud storage solution powered by Amazon Web Services that provides CJIS redundant and security-enhanced storage of all uploaded video marketed as VuVault.net; and | |
● | web-based software for commercial fleet tracking and monitoring that features and manages video captured by our Video Event Data Recorders of incidents that require attention and marketed as our FleetVU Manager. |
Historically, these product series were used primarily in law enforcement applications, all of which use the core competency of our technology in digital video compression, recording and storage. During 2011, we completed the launch of several derivative products as “event recorders” that can be used in taxi cab, limousine, ambulance and other commercial fleet vehicle applications. We have launched additional derivative products from 2012 through 2016. We also intend to produce and sell other digital video products in the future. These products incorporate our standards-based digital compression capability that allows the recording of significant time periods on a chip and circuit board which can be designed into small forms and stored.
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We are registering the shares being offered under this prospectus in connection with the Private Placement in which we issued the Warrants to the selling stockholders described below under “Description of Securities —Private Placement of Warrants.” We entered into the Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Securities Purchase Agreement”) in connection with the Private Placement in which we offered and sold to the selling stockholders the Warrants exercisable to purchase up to 800,000 shares of our common stock at a price of $5.00 per share. The exercise price of the Warrants is subject to adjustment as described below under “Description of Securities— Private Placement of Warrants.”
Principal Executive Offices and Additional Information
Our principal executive offices are located at 9705 Loiret Boulevard, Lenexa Kansas 66219. Our telephone number is (914) 813-7774. Our website is located at www.digitalallyinc.com. Information on our website does not constitute part of this prospectus and should not be relied upon in connection with making any decision with respect to an investment in our securities. We are required to file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. You may read and copy any documents filed by us with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Our filings with the SEC are also available to the public from commercial document retrieval services and at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should consider and read carefully all the risks and uncertainties described below, together with all the other information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, before deciding to invest in our common stock. If any of the following risks, or any risk described elsewhere in this prospectus or in the documents incorporated by reference herein, occurs, our business, business prospects, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could be materially adversely affected. In any such case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you could lose all or part of your investment. The risks described below and in the documents incorporated by reference herein are not the only ones facing our company. Additional risks not currently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also adversely affect us. This prospectus also contains forward-looking statements, estimates and projections that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements because of specific factors, including the risks described below and in the documents incorporated by reference herein.
You should carefully consider the following risk factors in evaluating our business and us. The factors listed below represent certain important factors that we believe could cause our business results to differ. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the general or specific risks that may affect us. It should be recognized that other risks may be significant, presently or in the future, and the risks set forth below may affect us to a greater extent than indicated. If any of the following risks occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. You should also consider the other information included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and subsequent quarterly reports filed with the SEC.
We incurred losses in recent years.
We have had net losses for several years and had an accumulated deficit of $46,657,342 at December 31, 2016, which includes our net losses of $12,710,688 and $12,037,892 for 2016 and 2015, respectively. We have implemented several initiatives intended to improve our revenues and reduce our operating costs with a goal of restoring profitability. If we are unsuccessful in this regard, it will have a material adverse impact on our business, prospects, operating results and financial condition.
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Our credit facilities
We have no revolving credit facility to fund our operating needs should it become necessary. It will be difficult to obtain an institutional line of credit facility given our recent operating losses and the current banking environment, which may adversely affect our ability to finance our business, grow or be profitable. Further, even if we could obtain a new credit facility, in all likelihood would may not be on terms favorable to us.
If we are unable to manage our current business activities, our prospects may be limited and our future profitability may be adversely affected.
We experienced a decline in our operating results from 2009 to 2016. Our revenues have been unpredictable, which poses significant burdens on us to be proactive in managing production, personnel levels and related costs. We will need to improve our revenues, operations, financial and other systems to manage our business effectively, and any failure to do so may lead to inefficiencies and redundancies which reduce our prospects to return to profitability.
There are risks related to dealing with domestic governmental entities as customers.
One of the principal target markets for our products is the law enforcement community. In this market, the sale of products will be subject to budget constraints of governmental agencies purchasing these products, which could result in a significant reduction in our anticipated revenues. Such governmental agencies have experienced budgetary pressures because of the recent recession and its impact on local sales, property and income taxes that provide funding for purchasing our products. These agencies also may experience political pressure that dictates the way they spend money. As a result, even if an agency wants to acquire our products, it may be unable to purchase them due to budgetary or political constraints. We cannot assure investors that such governmental agencies will have the necessary funds to purchase our products even though they may want to do so. Further, even if such agencies have the necessary funds, we may experience delays and relatively long sales cycles due to their internal decision making policies and procedures.
There are risks related to dealing with foreign governmental entities as customers.
We target the law enforcement community in foreign countries for the sale of many of our products. While foreign countries vary, generally the sale of our products will be subject to political and budgetary constraints of foreign governments and agencies purchasing these products, which could result in a significant reduction in our anticipated revenues. Many foreign governments are experiencing budgetary pressures because of the recent global recession and its impact on taxes and tariffs that in many cases provide funding for purchasing our products. Law enforcement agencies within these countries also may experience political pressure that dictates the way they spend money. As a result, even if a foreign country or its law enforcement agencies want to acquire our products, it may be unable to purchase them due to budgetary or political constraints. We cannot assure investors that such governmental agencies will have the necessary funds to purchase our products even though they may want to do so. Further, even if such agencies have the necessary funds, we may experience delays and relatively long sales cycles due to their internal decision making policies and procedures.
International law enforcement and other agencies that may consider using our products must analyze a wide range of issues before committing to purchase products like ours, including training costs, product reliability and budgetary constraints. The length of our sales cycle may range from a few months to a year or more. We may incur substantial selling costs and expend significant effort in connection with the evaluation of our products by potential customers before they place an order. Initial orders by foreign governments and agencies typically are for a small number of units that are used to evaluate the products. If these potential customers do not purchase our products, we will have expended significant resources and receive no revenue in return. In addition, we may be selected as the vendor of choice by these foreign customers but never receive the funding necessary to purchase our product due to political or economic reasons.
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We are marketing our DVM-250, DVM-250 Plus event recorder and FirstVu HD products to commercial customers, which is a relatively new sales channel for us and we may experience problems in gaining acceptance.
The principal target commercial market for our event recorder products is commercial fleet operators, such as taxi cabs, limousine services, transit buses, ambulance services and a variety of delivery services. In addition, we are marketing our First HD to commercial customers. These are relatively new sales channels for us and we may experience difficulty gaining acceptance of our other products by the targeted customers. Our sales of such products will be subject to budget constraints of both the large and small prospective customers, which could result in a significant reduction in our anticipated revenues. Certain of such companies have experienced budgetary and financial pressures because of the recent recession and slow recovery and their impact on their revenues, all of which may negatively impact their ability to purchase our products. As a result, even if prospective customers want to acquire our products, they may be unable to do so because of such factors. Further, even if such companies have the necessary funds, we may experience delays and relatively long sales cycles due to their internal decision making policies and procedures.
We are operating in a developing market and there is uncertainty as to market acceptance of our technology and products.
The markets for our new and enhanced products and technology are developing and rapidly evolving. They are characterized by an increasing number of market entrants who have developed or are developing a wide variety of products and technologies, a number of which offer certain of the features that our products offer. Because of these factors, demand and market acceptance for new products are subject to a high level of uncertainty. There can be no assurance that our technology and products will become widely accepted. It is also difficult to predict with any assurance the future growth rate, if any, and size of the market. If a substantial market fails to develop, develops more slowly than expected or becomes saturated with competitors or if our products do not achieve or continue to achieve market acceptance, our business, operating results and financial condition will be materially and adversely affected.
Our technology may also be marketed and licensed to device manufacturers for inclusion in the products and equipment they market and sell as an embedded solution. As with other new products and technologies designed to enhance or replace existing products or technologies or change product designs, these potential partners may be reluctant to integrate our digital video recording technology into their systems unless the technology and products are proven to be both reliable and available at a competitive price. Even assuming product acceptance, our potential partners may be required to redesign their systems to effectively use our digital video recording technology. The time and costs necessary for such redesign could delay or prevent market acceptance of our technology and products. A lack of, or delay in, market acceptance of our digital video recording technology and products would adversely affect our operations. There can be no assurance that we will be able to market our technology and products successfully or that any of our technology or products will be accepted in the marketplace.
We expend significant resources in anticipation of a sale due to our lengthy sales cycle and may receive no revenue in return.
Generally, law enforcement and other agencies and commercial fleet and mass transit operators that may consider using our products must analyze a wide range of issues before committing to purchase products like ours, including training costs, product reliability and budgetary constraints. The length of our sales cycle may range from several months to a year or more. We may incur substantial selling costs and expend significant effort in connection with the evaluation of our products by potential customers before they place an order. Initial orders by agencies typically are for a small number of units that are used to evaluate the products. If these potential customers do not purchase our products, we will have expended significant resources and have received no revenue in return.
Our market is characterized by new products and rapid technological change.
The market for our products is characterized by rapidly changing technology and frequent new product introductions. Our future success will depend in part on our ability to enhance our existing technologies and products and to introduce new products and technologies to meet changing customer requirements. We are currently devoting, and intend to continue to devote, significant resources toward the development of new digital video recording technology and products both as stand-alone products and embedded solutions in third party products and systems. There can be no assurance that we will successfully complete the development of these technologies and related products in a timely fashion or that our current or future products will satisfy the needs of the digital video recording market. There can also be no assurance that digital video recording products and technologies developed by others will not adversely affect our competitive position or render our products or technologies non-competitive or obsolete.
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We substantially depend on sales from our in-car video products and body-worn cameras and if these products become obsolete or not widely accepted, our growth prospects will be diminished.
We derived our revenues in 2016 predominantly from sales of our in-car video systems, including the DVM-800, our largest selling product, and the FirstVU HD body-worn camera, our second largest selling product. We expect to continue to depend on sales of these products during 2017. However, we have introduced a number of other new products, including the VuLink and FleetVu, and intend to introduce other new products with a view to diversifying our revenue sources in the future. A decrease in the prices of, or the demand for our in-car video products, or the failure to achieve broad market acceptance of our new product offerings, would significantly harm our growth prospects, operating results and financial condition.
We substantially depend on our research and development activities to design new products and upgrades to existing products and if these products are not widely accepted, or we encounter difficulties and delays in launching these new products, our growth prospects will be diminished.
We have a number of active research and development projects underway that are intended to launch new products or upgrades to existing products. We may incur substantial costs and/or delays in completion of these activities that may not result in viable products or may not be received well by our potential customers. We incurred $3,186,137 and $2,980,807 in research and development expenses during the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, which represent a substantial expense in relation to our total revenues and net losses. If we are unsuccessful in bringing these products from the engineering prototype phase to commercial production, we could incur additional expenses (in addition to those already spent) without receiving revenues from the new products. Also, these new products may fail to achieve broad market acceptance and may not generate revenue to cover expenses incurred to design, develop, produce and market the new product offerings. Substantial delays in the launch of one or more products could negatively impact our revenues and increase our costs, which could significantly harm our growth prospects, operating results and financial condition.
If we are unable to compete in our market, you may lose all or part of your investment.
The law enforcement and security surveillance markets are extremely competitive. Competitive factors in these industries include ease of use, quality, portability, versatility, reliability, accuracy and cost. There are direct companies with competitive technology and products in the law enforcement and surveillance markets for all our products and those we have in development. Many of these competitors have significant advantages over us, including greater financial, technical, marketing and manufacturing resources, more extensive distribution channels, larger customer bases and faster response times to adapt new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements. Our primary competitors include L-3 Mobile-Vision, Inc., Coban Technologies, Inc., Watchguard, Kustom Signals, Panasonic System Communications Company, International Police Technologies, Inc. and a number of other competitors who sell or may in the future sell in-car video systems to law enforcement agencies. Our primary competitors in the body-worn camera market include TASER International, Inc. (“Taser”), Reveal Media and VieVU, Inc. We face similar and intense competitive factors for our event recorders in the mass transit markets as we do in the law enforcement and security surveillance markets. We will also compete with any company making surveillance devices for commercial use. There are direct competitors for our DVM-250 Plus “event recorders,” which several may have greater financial, technical marketing, and manufacturing resources than we do. Our primary competitors in the commercial fleet sector include Lytx, Inc. (previously DriveCam, Inc.) and SmartDrive Systems.
There can be no assurance that we will be able to compete successfully in these markets. Further, there can be no assurance that new and existing companies will not enter the law enforcement and security surveillance markets in the future.
Although we believe that our products will be distinguishable from those of our competitors based on their technological features and functionality at an attractive value proposition, there can be no assurance that we will be able to penetrate any of our anticipated competitors’ portions of the market. Many of our anticipated competitors may have existing relationships with equipment or device manufacturers that may impede our ability to market our technology to those potential customers and build market share. There can be no assurance that we will be able to compete successfully against current or future competitors or that competitive pressures will not have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. If we are not successful in competing against our current and future competitors, you could lose your entire investment. See “Description of Business - Competition.”
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Defects in our products could impair our ability to sell our products or could result in litigation and other significant costs.
Any significant defects in our products may result in, among other things, delay in time-to-market, loss of market acceptance and sales of our products, diversion of development resources, and injury to our reputation, or increased warranty costs. Because our products are technologically complex, they may contain defects that cannot be detected prior to shipment. These defects could harm our reputation and impair our ability to sell our products. The costs we may incur in correcting any product defects may be substantial and could decrease our profit margins. In 2016 and 2015 we had certain product quality issues with the FirstVU HD, which adversely affected our revenues and operating results.
In addition, errors, defects or other performance problems could result in financial or other damages to our customers, which could result in litigation. Product liability litigation, even if we prevail, would be time consuming and costly to defend. Our product liability insurance may not be adequate to cover claims. Our product liability insurance coverage per occurrence is $1,000,000, with a $2,000,000 aggregate for our general business liability coverage and an additional $1,000,000 per occurrence. Our excess or umbrella liability coverage per occurrence and in aggregate is $5,000,000.
Product defects can be caused by design errors, programming bugs, or defects in component parts or raw materials. This is common to every product manufactured which is based on modern electronic and computer technology. Because of the extreme complexity of digital in-car video systems, one of the key concerns is operating software robustness. Some of the software modules are provided to us by outside vendors under license agreements, while other portions are developed by our own software engineers. As with any software-dependent product, “bugs” can occur, even with rigorous testing before release of the product. The software included in our digital video rear view mirror products is designed to be “field upgradeable” so that changes or fixes can be made by the end user by downloading new software through the internet. We intend to incorporate this technology into any future products as well, providing a quick resolution to potential software issues that may arise over time.
As with all electronic devices, hardware issues can arise from many sources. The component electronic parts we utilize come from many sources around the world. We attempt to mitigate the possibility of shipping defective products by fully testing sub-assemblies and thoroughly testing assembled units before they are shipped out to our customers. Because of the nature and complexity of some of the electronic components used, such as microprocessor chips, memory systems, and zoom video camera modules, it is not technically or financially realistic to attempt to test every single aspect of every single component and their potential interactions. By using components from reputable and reliable sources, and by using professional engineering, assembly, and testing methods, we seek to limit the possibility of defects slipping through. In addition to internal testing, we now have thousands of units in the hands of law enforcement departments and in use every day. Over the past years of field use we have addressed a number of subtle issues and made refinements requested by the end-user.
We are dependent on key personnel.
Our success will be largely dependent upon the efforts of our executive officers, Stanton E. Ross and Thomas J. Heckman. We do not have employment agreements with Messrs. Ross or Heckman. The loss of the services of these individuals could have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects. There can be no assurance that we will be able to retain the services of such individuals in the future. We have not obtained key-man life insurance policies on these individuals. We are also dependent to a substantial degree on our technical, research and development staff. Our success will be dependent upon our ability to hire and retain additional qualified technical, research, management, marketing and financial personnel. We will compete with other companies with greater financial and other resources for such personnel. Although we have not had trouble in attracting qualified personnel to date, there can be no assurance that we will be able to retain our present personnel or acquire additional qualified personnel as and when needed.
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We are dependent on manufacturers and suppliers.
We purchase, and intend to continue to purchase, substantially all the components for our products and some entire products, from a limited number of manufacturers and suppliers, most of whom are located outside the United States. Our internal process is principally to assemble the various components and subassemblies manufactured by our suppliers and test the assembled product prior to shipping to our customers. We do not intend to directly manufacture any of the equipment or parts to be used in our products. Our reliance upon outside manufacturers and suppliers, including foreign suppliers, is expected to continue, increase in scope and involves several risks, including limited control over the availability of components, and products themselves and related delivery schedules, pricing and product quality. We may experience delays, additional expenses and lost sales if we are required to locate and qualify alternative manufacturers and suppliers.
A few of the semiconductor chip components for our products are produced by a very small number of specialized manufacturers. Currently, we purchase one essential semiconductor chip from a single manufacturer. While we believe that there are alternative sources of supply, if, for any reason, we are precluded from obtaining such a semiconductor chip from this manufacturer, we may experience long delays in product delivery due to the difficulty and complexity involved in producing the required component and we may also be required to pay higher costs for our components.
While we do the final assembly, testing, packaging, and shipment of certain of our products in-house, a number of our component parts are manufactured by subcontractors. These subcontractors include: raw circuit board manufacturers, circuit board assembly houses, injection plastic molders, metal parts fabricators, and other custom component providers. While we are dependent upon these subcontractors to the extent that they are producing custom subassemblies and components necessary for manufacturing our products, we still own the designs and intellectual property involved. This means that the failure of any one contractor to perform may cause delays in production. However, we can mitigate potential interruptions by maintaining “buffer stocks” of critical parts and subassemblies and by using multiple sources for critical components. We also can move our subcontracting to alternate providers. Being forced to use a different subcontractor could cause production interruptions ranging from negligible, such as a few weeks, to very costly, such as four to six months. Further, the failure of a foreign manufacturer to deliver products to us timely, in sufficient quantities and with the requisite quality would have a material adverse impact on our business, operations and financial condition.
The only component group that would require a complete redesign of our digital video electronics package is the Texas Instruments chips. While there are competitive products available, each chip has unique characteristics that would require extensive tailoring of product designs to use it. The Texas Instrument chips are the heart of our video processing system. If Texas Instruments became unwilling or unable to provide us with these chips, we would be forced to redesign our digital video encoder and decoder systems. Such a complete redesign could take substantial time (i.e. over six months) to complete. We attempt to mitigate the potential for interruption by maintaining continuous stocks of these chips to support several months’ worth of production. In addition, we regularly check on the end-of-life status of these parts to make sure that we will know well in advance of any decisions by Texas Instruments to discontinue these parts. There are other semiconductors that are integral to our product design and which could cause delays if discontinued, but not to the same scale as the Texas Instrument chips.
We are uncertain of our ability to protect technology through patents.
Our ability to compete effectively will depend on our success in protecting our proprietary technology, both in the United States and abroad. We have filed for patent protection in the United States and certain other countries to cover certain design aspects of our products. We license the critical technology on which our products are based from Sasken-Ingenient, Inc., and Lead Technologies pursuant to license agreements. However, the technology licensed from these parties is critical because it is the basis of our current product design. We may choose to use other video encoding and decoding technology in future products, thus lessening our dependence on our licenses with these companies.
Some of these patent applications are still under review by the U.S. Patent Office and, therefore, we have not yet been issued all the patents that we applied for in the United States. No assurance can be given that any patents relating to our existing technology will be issued from the United States or any foreign patent offices, that we will receive any patents in the future based on our continued development of our technology, or that our patent protection within and/or outside of the United States will be sufficient to deter others, legally or otherwise, from developing or marketing competitive products utilizing our technologies.
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If our patents were to be denied as filed, we would seek to obtain different patents for other parts of our technology. If our main patent, which relates to the placement of the in-car video system in a rear-view mirror, is denied, it could potentially allow our competitors to build very similar devices. However, we believe that very few of our competitors would be capable of this because of the level of technical sophistication and level of miniaturization required. Even if we obtain patents, there can be no assurance that they will be enforceable to prevent others from developing and marketing competitive products or methods. If we bring an infringement action relating to any future patents, it may require the diversion of substantial funds from our operations and may require management to expend efforts that might otherwise be devoted to our operations. Furthermore, there can be no assurance that we will be successful in enforcing our patent rights.
Further, if any patents are issued there can be no assurance that patent infringement claims in the United States or in other countries will not be asserted against us by a competitor or others, or if asserted, that we will be successful in defending against such claims. If one of our products is adjudged to infringe patents of others with the likely consequence of a damage award, we may be enjoined from using and selling such product or be required to obtain a royalty-bearing license, if available on acceptable terms. Alternatively, if a license is not offered, we might be required, if possible, to redesign those aspects of the product held to infringe to avoid infringement liability. Any redesign efforts we undertake might be expensive, could delay the introduction or the re-introduction of our products into certain markets, or may be so significant as to be impractical.
We are involved in litigation relating to our intellectual property.
We are subject to various legal proceedings arising from normal business operations. Although there can be no assurances, based on the information currently available, management believes that it is probable that the ultimate outcome of each of the actions will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial statements. However, an adverse outcome in certain of the actions could have a material adverse effect on our financial results in the period in which it is recorded.
On October 25, 2013, we filed a complaint in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas (2:13-cv-02550-SAC) to eliminate threats by a competitor, Utility Associates, Inc. (“Utility”), of alleged patent infringement regarding U.S. Patent No. 6,831,556 (the “ ‘556 Patent”). Specifically, the lawsuit seeks a declaration that our mobile video surveillance systems do not infringe any claim of the ‘556 Patent. We became aware that Utility had mailed letters to current and prospective purchasers of our mobile video surveillance systems threatening that the use of such systems purchased from third parties not licensed to the ‘556 Patent would create liability for them for patent infringement. We rejected Utility’s assertion and are vigorously defending the right of end-users to purchase such systems from providers other than Utility. The United States District Court for the District of Kansas dismissed the lawsuit because it decided that Kansas was not the proper jurisdictional forum for the dispute. The District Court’s decision was not a ruling on the merits of the case. We appealed the decision and the Federal Circuit affirmed the District Court’s previous decision.
In addition, we began proceedings to invalidate the ‘556 Patent through a request for inter partes review of the ‘556 patent at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”). On July 27, 2015, the USPTO invalidated key claims in Utility’s ‘556 Patent. The Final Decision from the USPTO significantly curtails Utility’s ability to threaten law enforcement agencies, municipalities, and others with infringement of the ‘556 Patent. Utility appealed this decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit denied Utility’s appeal and therefore confirmed the ruling of the USPTO. This denial of Utility’s appeal finalized the USPTO’s ruling in our favor and the matter is now concluded as it relates to the USPTO.
On June 6, 2014, we filed an Unfair Competition lawsuit against Utility in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas. In the lawsuit, we contend that Utility has defamed us and illegally interfered with our contracts, customer relationships and business expectancies by falsely asserting to our customers and others that our products violate the ‘556 Patent, of which Utility claims to be the holder.
The suit also includes claims against Utility for tortious interference with contract and violation of the Kansas Uniform Trade Secrets Act (KUSTA), arising out of Utility’s employment of our employees, in violation of that employees’ Non-Competition and Confidentiality agreements with us. In addition to damages, we seek temporary, preliminary, and permanent injunctive relief, prohibiting Utility from, among other things, continuing to threaten or otherwise interfere with our customers. On March 4, 2015, an initial hearing was held upon our request for injunctive relief.
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Based upon facts revealed at the March 4, 2015 hearing, on March 16, 2015, we sought leave to amend our Complaint in the Kansas suit to assert additional claims against Utility. Those new claims include claims of actual or attempted monopolization, in violation of § 2 of the Sherman Act, claims arising under a new Georgia statute that prohibits threats of patent infringement in “bad faith,” and additional claims of unfair competition/false advertising in violation of § 63(a) of the Lanham Act. As these statutes expressly provide, we will seek treble damages, punitive damages and attorneys’ fees as well as injunctive relief. The Court concluded its hearing on April 22, 2015, and allowed us leave to amend our complaint, but denied our preliminary injunction. The discovery stage of the lawsuit expired in May 2016. Utility filed a Motion for Summary Judgment and we filed a Motion for Partial Summary Judgment. On March 30, 2017, the Court entered its order granting Utility’s motion and denying our motion in their entireties. We have thirty (30) days after March 30, 2017 in which to appeal such decisions to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and are considering our options.
On September 13, 2014, Utility filed suit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia against us alleging infringement of the ‘556 Patent. The suit was served on us on September 20, 2014. As alleged in our first filed lawsuit described above, we believe that the ‘556 Patent is both invalid and not infringed. Further, the USPTO has issued its final decision invalidating 23 of the 25 claims asserted in the ‘556 Patent, as noted above. We believe that the suit filed by Utility is without merit and is vigorously defending the claims asserted against us. An adverse resolution of the foregoing litigation or patent proceedings could have a material adverse effect on our business, prospects, results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity. The Court stayed all proceedings with respect to this lawsuit pending the outcome of the patent review performed by the USPTO and the appellate court. Based on the USPTO’s final decision to invalidate substantially all claims contained in the ‘556 Patent and the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit full denial of Utility’s appeal, we intend to file for summary judgment in its favor if Utility does not request outright dismissal.
We received notice in April 2015 that Taser, one of our competitors, had commenced an action in the USPTO for a re-examination of its U.S. Patent No. 8,781,292 (the “ ‘292 Patent”). A re-examination is essentially a request that the USPTO review whether the patent should have issued in its present form in view of the “prior art,” e.g., other patents in the same technology field. The prior art Taser used to request the re-examination is a patent application that never issued into a patent was assigned to an unrelated third party and was not the result of any of Taser’s own research and development efforts.
We own the ‘292 Patent, which is directed to a system that determines when a recording device, such as a law enforcement officer’s body camera or in-car video recorder, begins recording and automatically instructs other recording devices to begin recording. The technology described in the ‘292 Patent is incorporated in our VuLink product.
On August 17, 2015, the USPTO issued a first, non-final action rejecting all 20 claims of the ‘292 Patent respecting its ‘292 Patent under an ex parte re-examination. We were provided the opportunity to discuss the merits of the prior art and the scope of the patent claims with the patent Examiner handling the reexamination and to amend the patent claims. On January 14, 2016, the USPTO ultimately rejected Taser’s efforts and confirmed the validity of the ‘292 Patent with 59 claims covering various aspects of our auto-activation technology. On February 2, 2016, the USPTO issued another patent relating to our auto-activation technology for law enforcement cameras. U.S. Patent No. 9,253,452 (the “ ‘452 Patent”) generally covers the automatic activation and coordination of multiple recording devices in response to a triggering event, such as a law enforcement officer activating the light bar on the vehicle.
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We filed suit on January 15, 2016 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas (Case No: 2:16-cv-02032) against Taser, alleging willful patent infringement against Taser’s Axon body camera product line. The lawsuit was initiated after the USPTO reconfirmed the validity of the ‘292 Patent, which covers various aspects of auto-activation and multiple camera coordination for body-worn cameras and in-car video systems. The ‘292 Patent previously was subject to attack by Taser, which tried to invalidate it at the USPTO. The USPTO ultimately rejected Taser’s efforts and confirmed the validity of the ‘292 Patent with 59 claims covering various aspects of this valuable auto-activation technology. On February 2, 2016, the USPTO issued another patent relating to our auto-activation technology for law enforcement cameras. This ‘452 Patent generally covers the automatic activation and coordination of multiple recording devices in response to a triggering event such as a law enforcement officer activating the light bar on the vehicle. We added the ‘452 patent to its existing lawsuit against Taser seeking both monetary damages and a permanent injunction against Taser for infringement of both the ‘452 and ‘292 Patents.
In addition to the infringement claims, we added a new set of claims to the lawsuit alleging that Taser conspired to keep us out of the marketplace by engaging in improper, unethical, and unfair competition. The amended lawsuit alleges Taser bribed officials and otherwise conspired to secure no-bid contracts for our products in violation of both state law and federal antitrust law. Our lawsuit also seeks monetary and injunctive relief, including treble damages, for these alleged violations.
We filed an amended complaint and Taser filed an answer which denied the patent infringement allegations on April 1, 2016. In addition, Taser filed a motion to dismiss all allegations in the complaint on March 4, 2016 for which we an amended complaint on March 18, 2016 to address certain technical deficiencies in the pleadings. Taser amended and renewed its motion to seek dismissal of the allegations that it had bribed officials and otherwise conspired to secure no-bid contracts for its products in violation of both state law and federal antitrust law on April 1, 2016. Formal discovery commenced on April 12, 2016 with respect to the patent related claims. In January 2017 the Court granted Taser’s motion to dismiss the portion of the lawsuit regarding claims that it had bribed officials and otherwise conspired to secure no-bid contracts for its products in violation of both state law and federal antitrust law. We have appealed this decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and are awaiting its decision.
In December 2016, Taser announced that it had commenced an action in the USPTO for inter partes review of its U.S. Patent No. 8,781,292 (the “ ‘292 Patent”). Previously Taser had attempted to invalidate the ‘292 Patent through a re-examination procedure at the USPTO. On January 14, 2016, the USPTO ultimately rejected Taser’s efforts and confirmed the validity of the ‘292 Patent with 59 claims covering various aspects of our auto-activation technology. The USPTO fully rejected all of Taser’s previous arguments, concluding all 59 claims in Digital Ally’s ‘292 patent were valid and non-obvious. Taser is again attempting through its recently filed inter partes review to convince the USPTO that Digital Ally’s patents lack patentability. The USPTO is taking the request under consideration and has not decided whether it will institute the inter partes review. In addition, Taser has requested that the patent infringement lawsuit filed by Digital Ally in the U.S. District Court for the District of Kansas (Case No: 2:16-cv-02032) against Taser, be stayed while its inter partes review is being considered by the USPTO. Digital Ally has filed a motion to deny the stay and both motions are currently being considered by the Court.
On May 27, 2016, we filed suit against Enforcement Video, LLC d/b/a WatchGuard Video (“WatchGuard”), (Case No. 2:16-cv-02349-JTM-JPO) alleging patent infringement based on WatchGuard’s VISTA Wifi and 4RE In-Car product lines.
The USPTO has granted multiple patents to us with claims covering numerous features, such as automatically and simultaneously activating all deployed cameras in response to the activation of just one camera. Additionally, our patent claims cover automatic coordination as well as digital synchronization between multiple recording devices. We also have patent coverage directed to the coordination between a multi-camera system and an officer’s smartphone, which allows an officer to more readily assess an event on the scene while an event is taking place or immediately after it has occurred.
Our lawsuit alleges that WatchGuard incorporated this patented technology into its VISTA Wifi and 4RE In-Car product lines without its permission. Specifically, we are accusing WatchGuard of infringing three patents: the ‘292 and ‘452 Patents and U.S. Patent No. 9,325,950. We are aggressively challenging WatchGuard’s infringing conduct, seeking both monetary damages, as well as seeking a permanent injunction preventing WatchGuard from continuing to sell its VISTA Wifi and 4RE In-Car product lines using our own technology to compete against it. The lawsuit is in the early stages of discovery.
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We are also involved as a plaintiff and defendant in ordinary, routine litigation and administrative proceedings incidental to our business from time to time, including customer collections, vendor and employment-related matters. We believe the likely outcome of any other pending cases and proceedings will not be material to our business or financial condition.
We are uncertain of our ability to protect our proprietary technology and information.
In addition to seeking patent protection, we rely on trade secrets, know-how and continuing technological advancement to seek to achieve and thereafter maintain a competitive advantage. Although we have entered into or intend to enter into confidentiality and invention agreements with our employees, consultants and advisors, no assurance can be given that such agreements will be honored or that we will be able to effectively protect our rights to our unpatented trade secrets and know-how. Moreover, no assurance can be given that others will not independently develop substantially equivalent proprietary information and techniques or otherwise gain access to our trade secrets and know-how.
Foreign currency fluctuations may affect our competitiveness and sales in foreign markets.
The relative change in currency values creates fluctuations in our product pricing for potential international customers. These changes in foreign end-user costs may result in lost orders and reduce the competitiveness of our products in certain foreign markets. These changes may also negatively affect the financial condition of some existing or potential foreign customers and reduce or eliminate their future orders of our products. We also import selected components which are used in the manufacturing of some of our products. Although our purchase orders are in the United States dollar, weakness in the United States dollar could lead to price increases for the components.
Risks related to our license arrangements.
We have licensing agreements with Sasken and Lead regarding certain software used as the platform for the proprietary software we have developed for use in our products. These licensing agreements have specified terms and are renewable on an annual basis unless both parties determine not to renew them and provided the parties are in compliance with the agreements. If we fail to make the payments under these licenses or if these licenses are not renewed for any reason, it would cause us significant time and expense to redevelop our software on a different software platform, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
Our revenues and operating results may fluctuate unexpectedly from quarter to quarter, which may cause our stock price to decline.
Our revenues and operating results have varied significantly in the past and may continue to fluctuate significantly in the future due to various factors that are both in and outside our control. Thus, we believe that period-to-period comparisons of our operating results may not be meaningful in the short-term, and our performance in a particular period may not be indicative of our performance in any future period.
Coalitions of a few of our larger stockholders have sufficient voting power to make corporate governance decisions that could have significant effect on us and the other stockholders.
Our officers, directors and principal stockholders (greater than five percent stockholders) together control approximately 19.5%, including options vested or to vest within sixty days, of our outstanding common stock at December 31, 2016. Thus, these stockholders, if they act together, will be able to exert a significant degree of influence over our management and affairs and over matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions. In addition, this concentration of ownership may delay or prevent a change in our control and might affect the market price of our common stock, even when a change in control may be in the best interest of all stockholders. Furthermore, the interests of this concentration of ownership may not always coincide with our interests or the interests of other stockholders. Accordingly, these stockholders could cause us to enter into transactions or agreements that we would not otherwise consider.
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We are a party to several lawsuits both as a plaintiff and as a defendant in which we may ultimately not prevail resulting in losses and may cause our stock price to decline.
We are involved as a plaintiff and defendant in routine litigation and administrative proceedings incidental to our business from time to time, including customer collections, vendor and employment-related matters. See “Litigation.” We believe that the likely outcome of any other pending cases and proceedings will not be material to our business or financial condition. However, there can be no assurance that we will prevail in the litigation or proceedings or that we may not have to pay damages or other awards to the other party.
Risks Relating to our Common Stock
The possible issuance of common stock subject to options and warrants may dilute the interest of stockholders.
We have granted options to purchase a total of 362,440 shares of our common stock under our stock option and restricted stock plans and common stock purchase warrants for 2,379,290 shares, which were outstanding and unexercised as of December 31, 2016. The foregoing figures include the Warrants, which are exercisable to purchase 800,000 shares of our common stock. To the extent that outstanding stock options and Warrants are exercised, dilution to the interests of our stockholders may occur. Moreover, the terms upon which we will be able to obtain additional equity capital may be adversely affected since the holders of the outstanding options can be expected to exercise them at a time when we would, in all likelihood, be able to obtain any needed capital on terms more favorable to us than those provided in such outstanding options.
We have never paid dividends and have no plans to in the future.
Holders of shares of our common stock are entitled to receive such dividends as may be declared by our board of directors. To date, we have paid no cash dividends on our shares of common stock and we do not expect to pay cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. We intend to retain future earnings, if any, to provide funds for operation of our business. Therefore, any return investors in our common stock will have to be in the form of appreciation, if any, in the market value of their shares of common stock.
We have additional securities available for issuance, including blank check preferred stock, which, if issued, could adversely affect the rights of the holders of our common stock.
Our articles of incorporation authorize the issuance of 25,000,000 shares of our common stock and 10,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock. The common stock and preferred stock can be issued by our board of directors without stockholder approval. Any future issuances of equity would further dilute the percentage ownership of us held by our public shareholders.
Our preferred stock is not intended to have any anti-takeover effect and is not part of any series of anti-takeover measures contained in our articles of incorporation or bylaws. However, the availability of additional authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock could make any attempt to gain control of us or the Board more difficult or time-consuming and the availability of additional authorized and unissued shares might make it more difficult to remove management. Shares of preferred stock could be issued by the Board to dilute the percentage of stock owned by any stockholder and increase the cost of, or the number of, voting shares necessary to acquire control of the Board or to meet the voting requirements imposed by Nevada law with respect to a merger or other business combination involving us. The issuance of preferred stock with voting and conversion rights by our Board may adversely affect the voting power of the holders of common stock, including the loss of voting control to others.
Our stock price is likely to be highly volatile because of several factors, including a limited public float.
The market price of our common stock is likely to be highly volatile because there has been a relatively thin trading market for our stock, which causes trades of small blocks of stock to have a significant impact on our stock price. You may not be able to resell shares of our common stock following periods of volatility because of the market’s adverse reaction to volatility.
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Other factors that could cause such volatility may include, among other things:
● | digital video in-car recording products not being accepted by the law enforcement industry or digital video recording not being accepted as evidence in criminal proceedings; | |
● | acceptance of our new products in the marketplace and, in particular, the commercial market; | |
● | actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results; | |
● | the potential absence of securities analysts covering us and distributing research and recommendations about us; | |
● | we expect our actual operating results to fluctuate widely as we increase our sales and production capabilities and other operations; | |
● | we may have a low trading volume for a number of reasons, including that a large amount of our stock is closely held; | |
● | overall stock market fluctuations; | |
● | economic conditions generally and in the law enforcement and security industries in particular; | |
● | announcements concerning our business or those of our competitors or customers; | |
● | our ability to raise capital when we require it, and to raise such capital on favorable terms; | |
● | we have no institutional line-of-credit available to fund our operations and we may be unable to obtain a line of credit under terms that are mutually agreeable; | |
● | changes in financial estimates by securities analysts or our failure to perform as anticipated by the analysts; | |
● | announcements of technological innovations; | |
● | conditions or trends in the industry; | |
● | litigation; | |
● | changes in market valuations of other similar companies; | |
● | announcements by us or our competitors of new products or of significant technical innovations, contracts, acquisitions, strategic partnerships or joint ventures; | |
● | future sales of common stock; | |
● | actions initiated by the SEC or other regulatory bodies; | |
● | existence or lack of patents or proprietary rights; | |
● | departure of key personnel or failure to hire key personnel; and | |
● | general market conditions. |
Any of these factors could have a significant and adverse impact on the market price of our common stock. In addition, the stock market in general has at times experienced extreme volatility and rapid decline that has often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of particular companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the trading price of our common stock, regardless of our actual operating performance.
Indemnification of officers and directors.
Our articles of incorporation and the bylaws contain broad indemnification and liability limiting provisions regarding our officers, directors and employees, including the limitation of liability for certain violations of fiduciary duties. Our stockholders therefore will have only limited recourse against such individuals.
The market for our common stock is sometimes limited and may not provide adequate liquidity.
At times our common stock had been thinly traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market. On many days, the trading volume can be relatively small, which meant there was limited liquidity in our shares of common stock. Selling our shares during such periods is more difficult because smaller quantities of shares are bought and sold and news media coverage about us can be limited. These factors have at times resulted in a limited trading market for our common stock and therefore holders of our stock may have been unable to sell shares purchased, if they desired to do so.
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If securities or industry analyst do not publish research reports about our business, or if they downgrade our stock, the price of our common stock could decline.
Small, relatively unknown companies can achieve visibility in the trading market through research and reports that industry or securities analysts publish. To our knowledge there are no independent analysts who cover us. The lack of published reports by independent securities analysts could limit the interest in our common stock and negatively affect our stock price. Even if we did have such coverage, we would not have any control over the research and reports any analysts might publish. If any analyst who did cover us downgrades our stock, our stock price could decline. If any analyst who had been covering us ceases coverage of us or failed to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause our stock price to decline.
Future sales of our common stock may depress our stock price.
On December 30, 2016, we completed the Private Placement of the Debentures and Warrants for gross proceed of $4.0 million. The principal amount of the Debentures is $4.0 million and they are convertible at any time six months after their date of issue at the option of the holders into shares of our common stock at $5.00 per share (the “Conversion Price”). The Debentures mature on March 30, 2018. The Warrants are exercisable to purchase up to an aggregate of 800,000 shares of our common stock commencing on the date of issuance at an exercise price of $5.00 per share (the “Exercise Price”). The Warrants will expire on the fifth anniversary of their date of issuance. The Conversion Price and Exercise Price are subject to adjustment upon stock splits, reverse stock splits, and similar capital changes.
On July 22, 2015, we closed a private placement in which we issued Series A warrants, Series B Warrants and Series C Warrants that are exercisable to purchase a total of 1,539,590 shares of our common stock. The Series A Warrants are exercisable to purchase 437,086 shares of common stock for a term of 24 months from their date of issuance at a price of $13.43 per share. A total of 20,000 of the Series A warrants were exercised during 2016. The Series B and Series C Warrants are exercisable to purchase 1,102,504 shares of common stock for a term of five and one-half years from their dates of issuance at a price $13.43 per share. The issuance of the Warrants, Series A Warrants, the Series B Warrants and Series C Warrants may have had, and may continue to have, a depressive effect of the price of our common stock.
We can make no prediction to the effect, if any, that future sales of our common stock, or the availability of our common stock for future sales, will have on the market price of our common stock. Sales in the public market of substantial amounts of our common stock, or the perception that such sales could occur, could adversely affect prevailing market prices for our common stock. The potential effect of these shares being sold may be to depress the price at which our common stock trades.
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CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain information included in this prospectus may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Where any forward-looking statement includes a statement of the assumptions or bases underlying the forward-looking statement, we caution that, while we believe these assumptions or bases to be reasonable and made in good faith, assumed facts or bases almost always vary from the actual results, and the differences between assumed facts or bases and actual results can be material, depending upon the circumstances. Where, in any forward-looking statement, we or our management express an expectation or belief as to future results, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and is believed to have a reasonable basis. We cannot assure you, however, that the statement of expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. These statements relate to analyses and other information which are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These statements also relate to our future prospects, developments and business strategies. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “future,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “predict,” “project,” “will,” and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions. These statements are contained in the section “Risk Factors” and other sections of this prospectus. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual future activities and results of operations to be materially different from those suggested or described in this prospectus. A wide variety of factors could cause or contribute to such differences and could adversely impact revenues, profitability, cash flows and capital needs.
These risks include the risks that are identified in the “Risk Factors” section of this prospectus, and also include, among others, expectations regarding the following: (1) our losses in recent years, including fiscal 2015 and 2016; (2) macro-economic risks from the effects of the economic downturn and decrease in budgets for the law-enforcement community; (3) our ability to increase revenues, increase our margins and return to consistent profitability in the current economic and competitive environment; (4) our operation in developing markets and uncertainty as to market acceptance of our technology and new products; (5) the impact of the federal government’s stimulus program on the budgets of law enforcement agencies, including the timing, amount and restrictions on funding; (6) our ability to deliver our new product offerings as scheduled and have such new products perform as planned or advertised; (7) whether there will be commercial markets, domestically and internationally, for one or more of our newer products, and the degree to which the interest shown in our products, including the FirstVU HD, VuLink, VuVault.net, FleetVU and MicroVU HD, will translate into sales during 2017; (8) our ability to maintain or expand our share of the market for our products in the domestic and international markets in which we compete, including increasing our international revenues to their historical levels; (9) our ability to produce our products in a cost-effective manner; (10) competition from larger, more established companies with far greater economic and human resources; (11) our ability to attract and retain quality employees; (12) risks related to dealing with governmental entities as customers; (13) our expenditure of significant resources in anticipation of sales due to our lengthy sales cycle and the potential to receive no revenue in return; (14) characterization of our market by new products and rapid technological change; (15) our dependence on sales of our DVM-800, DVM-800 HD, FirstVU, First VU HD and DVM-250 products; (16) potential that stockholders may lose all or part of their investment if we are unable to compete in our markets and return to profitability; (17) defects in our products that could impair our ability to sell our products or could result in litigation and other significant costs; (18) our dependence on key personnel; (19) our reliance on third party distributors and sales representatives for part of our marketing capability; (20) our dependence on a few manufacturers and suppliers for components of our products and our dependence on domestic and foreign manufacturers for certain of our products; (21) our ability to protect technology through patents; (22) our ability to protect our proprietary technology and information as trade secrets and through other similar means; (23) risks related to our license arrangements; (24) our revenues and operating results may fluctuate unexpectedly from quarter to quarter; (25) sufficient voting power by coalitions of a few of our larger stockholders, including directors and officers, to make corporate governance decisions that could have significant effect on us and the other stockholders; (26) sale of substantial amounts of our common stock that may have a depressive effect on the market price of the outstanding shares of our common stock; (27) possible issuance of common stock subject to options and warrants that may dilute the interest of stockholders; (28) our ability to comply with Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Section 404 as it may be required; (29) our nonpayment of dividends and lack of plans to pay dividends in the future; (30) future sale of a substantial number of shares of our common stock that could depress the trading price of our common stock, lower our value and make it more difficult for us to raise capital; (31) our additional securities available for issuance, which, if issued, could adversely affect the rights of the holders of our common stock; (32) our stock price is likely to be highly volatile due to a number of factors, including a relatively limited public float; (33) whether the legal actions that the Company is taking or has taken against Utility Associates, Taser and WatchGuard will achieve their intended objectives; (34) whether the USPTO rulings will curtail, eliminate or otherwise have an effect on the actions of Taser and Utility Associates respecting us, our products and customers; (35) whether the remaining two claims under the ‘556 Patent have applicability to us or our products; and (36) whether our patented VuLink technology is becoming the de-facto “standard” for agencies engaged in deploying state-of-the-art body-worn and in-car camera systems; (37) whether this technology will have a significant impact on our revenues in the long-term; and (38) indemnification of our officers and directors.
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We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or otherwise. If one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, our actual results may vary materially from those expected, estimated or projected.
We may receive proceeds from the exercise of the Warrants by the selling stockholders, if exercised. We cannot guarantee that the selling stockholders will exercise the Warrants. Any proceeds we receive from the selling stockholders upon their exercise of the Warrants will be used for general working capital.
The selling stockholders named in this prospectus will pay any underwriting fees, discounts and commissions, along with certain of the selling stockholders’ out-of-pocket expenses, incurred in connection with their sale of shares registered under this prospectus. We will bear all other costs, fees and expenses incurred by us, or by the selling stockholders, in effecting the registration, offer and sale of the shares covered by this prospectus, to the extent not paid by the selling stockholders.
The shares of common stock being offered by the selling stockholders are those issuable to the selling stockholders upon exercise of the Warrants. For additional information regarding the issuance of the Warrants, see “Description of Securities— Private Placement of Warrants.” We are registering the shares of common stock in order to permit the selling stockholders to offer the shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants (the “Warrant Shares”) for resale from time to time. Except for the ownership of the Warrants issued pursuant to the Securities Purchase Agreement and the investment in private placements by one of the selling stockholders with us in March 2014 and August 2014 and both selling shareholders in our July 2015 private placement, the selling stockholders has not had any material relationship with us or our affiliates within the past three years.
We prepared the table based on information supplied to us by the selling stockholders. We have not sought to verify such information. The percentages of shares beneficially owned and being offered are based on 5,679,731 shares of common stock that were outstanding as of March 30, 2017, unless otherwise stated in the footnotes to the table below. Information about the selling stockholder may also change over time.
The table below lists the selling stockholders and other information regarding the beneficial ownership of the shares of common stock by the selling stockholders. The second column lists the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned by the selling stockholders, based on its ownership of the Warrants, as of March 30, 2017, assuming exercise of the Warrants held by the selling stockholders on that date, without regard to any limitations on conversion, amortization, redemption or exercise.
The third column lists the shares of common stock being offered by this prospectus by the selling stockholders.
The fourth column assumes the sale of all the shares offered by the selling stockholders pursuant to this prospectus.
A holder of a Warrant will not have the right to exercise any portion of its warrants if the holder, together with its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of 9.99% of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to such exercise (the “Beneficial Ownership Limitation”); provided, however, that upon 61 days’ prior notice to the Company, the holder may increase or decrease the Beneficial Ownership Limitation, but in no event shall the Beneficial Ownership Limitation exceed 9.99%. The number of shares in the second column does not reflect this limitation. The selling stockholders may sell all, some or none of its shares in this offering. See “Plan of Distribution.”
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Name of Selling Stockholder | Number
of Shares of Common Stock Owned Prior to Offering | Maximum
Number of Shares of Common Stock to be Sold Under this Prospectus | Number
of Shares of Common Stock Owned After Offering | |||||||
Hudson Bay Master Fund Ltd. (1) | 1,181,995 | (3) | 400,000 | 781,995 | ||||||
CVI Investments, Inc. (2) | 1,149,795 | (4) | 400,000 | 749,795 |
(1) | Hudson Bay Capital Management LP, the investment manager of Hudson Bay Master Fund Ltd., has voting and investment power over these securities. Sander Gerber is the managing member of Hudson Bay Capital GP LLC, which is the general partner of Hudson Bay Capital Management LP. Each of Hudson Bay Master Fund Ltd. and Sander Gerber disclaims beneficial ownership over these securities. |
(2) | Heights Capital Management, Inc., the authorized agent of CVI Investments, Inc. ("CVI"), has discretionary authority to vote and dispose of the shares held by CVI and may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of these shares. Martin Kobinger, in his capacity as Investment Manager of Heights Capital Management, Inc., may also be deemed to have investment discretion and voting power over the shares held by CVI. Mr. Kobinger disclaims any such beneficial ownership of the shares. CVI is affiliated with one or more FINRA members. CVI purchased the shares being registered hereunder in the ordinary course of business and at the time of purchase, had no agreements or understandings, directly or indirectly, with any other person to distribute such shares. |
(3) | Includes (i) 400,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants; (ii) 769,795 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of Series A Warrants, Series B Warrants and Series C Warrants issued to it in July 2015; and (iii) 12,200 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the warrant issued to it in a private placement in August 2014, in each case, without regard to the Beneficial Ownership Blocker. |
(4) | Includes (i) 400,000 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants; and (ii) 749,795 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of Series A Warrants, Series B Warrants and Series C Warrants issued to it in July 2015, in each case, without regard to the Beneficial Ownership Blocker. |
No offer or sale under this prospectus may be made by a stockholder unless that holder is listed in the table above, in a supplement to this prospectus or in an amendment to the related registration statement that has become effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). We will supplement or amend this prospectus to include additional selling stockholders upon request and upon provision of all required information to us, subject to the terms of the registration rights, as described under the “Description of Capital Stock -Registration Rights.”
Unless otherwise indicated, the selling stockholder is not a broker-dealer registered under Section 15 of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or an affiliate of a broker-dealer registered under Section 15 of the Exchange Act.
We are registering the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants to permit the resale of these shares of common stock by the holders of Warrants from time to time after the date of this prospectus. We will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale by the selling stockholders of the shares of common stock. We will bear all fees and expenses incident to our obligation to register the shares of common stock.
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The selling stockholders may sell all or a portion of the shares of common stock beneficially owned by them and offered hereby from time to time directly or through one or more underwriters, broker-dealers or agents. If the shares of common stock are sold through underwriters or broker-dealers, the selling stockholders will be responsible for underwriting discounts or commissions or agent’s commissions. The shares of common stock may be sold in one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time of the sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at negotiated prices. These sales may be effected in transactions, which may involve crosses or block transactions,
● | on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale; | |
● | in the over-the-counter market; | |
● | in transactions otherwise than on these exchanges or systems or in the over-the-counter market; | |
● | through the writing of options, whether such options are listed on an options exchange or otherwise; | |
● | ordinary brokerage transactions and transactions in which the broker-dealer solicits purchasers; | |
● | block trades in which the broker-dealer will attempt to sell the shares as agent but may position and resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; | |
● | purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale by the broker-dealer for its account; | |
● | an exchange distribution in accordance with the rules of the applicable exchange; | |
● | privately negotiated transactions; | |
● | short sales; | |
● | sales pursuant to Rule 144; | |
● | broker-dealers may agree with the selling security holders to sell a specified number of such shares at a stipulated price per share; | |
● | a combination of any such methods of sale; and | |
● | any other method permitted pursuant to applicable law. |
If the selling stockholders effect such transactions by selling shares of common stock to or through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, such underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may receive commissions in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the selling stockholders or commissions from purchasers of the shares of common stock for whom they may act as agent or to whom they may sell as principal (which discounts, concessions or commissions as to particular underwriters, broker-dealers or agents may be in excess of those customary in the types of transactions involved). In connection with sales of the shares of common stock or otherwise, the selling shareholder may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers, which may in turn engage in short sales of the shares of common stock in the course of hedging in positions they assume. The selling stockholders may also sell shares of common stock short and deliver shares of common stock covered by this prospectus to close out short positions and to return borrowed shares in connection with such short sales. The selling stockholders may also loan or pledge shares of common stock to broker-dealers that in turn may sell such shares.
The selling stockholders may pledge or grant a security interest in some or all of the Warrants or shares of common stock owned by them and, if they default in the performance of their secured obligations, the pledgees or secured parties may offer and sell the shares of common stock from time to time pursuant to this prospectus or any amendment to this prospectus under Rule 424(b)(3) or other applicable provision of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, amending, if necessary, the list of selling stockholders to include the pledgee, transferee or other successors in interest as a selling stockholder under this prospectus. The selling stockholders also may transfer and donate the shares of common stock in other circumstances in which case the transferees, donees, pledgees or other successors in interest will be the selling beneficial owners for purposes of this prospectus.
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The selling stockholders and any broker-dealer participating in the distribution of the shares of common stock may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any commission paid, or any discounts or concessions allowed to, any such broker-dealer may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. At the time a particular offering of the shares of common stock is made, a prospectus supplement, if required, will be distributed which will set forth the aggregate number of shares of common stock being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any broker-dealers or agents, any discounts, commissions and other terms constituting compensation from the selling shareholder and any discounts, commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to broker-dealers.
Under the securities laws of some states, the shares of common stock may be sold in such states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in some states the shares of common stock may not be sold unless such shares have been registered or qualified for sale in such state or an exemption from registration or qualification is available and is complied with.
There can be no assurance that any selling shareholder will sell any or all the shares of common stock registered pursuant to the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part.
The selling stockholders and any other person participating in such distribution will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, including, without limitation, Regulation M of the Exchange Act, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the shares of common stock by the selling stockholder and any other participating person. Regulation M may also restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of the shares of common stock to engage in market-making activities with respect to the shares of common stock. All the foregoing may affect the marketability of the shares of common stock and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to the shares of common stock.
We will pay all expenses of the registration of the shares of common stock pursuant to the registration rights contained in the Securities Purchase Agreement, estimated to be $15,000 in total, including, without limitation, Securities and Exchange Commission filing fees and expenses of compliance with state securities or “blue sky” laws; provided, however, that a selling stockholder will pay all underwriting discounts and selling commissions, if any. We will indemnify the selling stockholder against liabilities, including some liabilities under the Securities Act, in accordance with the foregoing registration rights, or the selling stockholder will be entitled to contribution. We may be indemnified by the selling stockholder against civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act that may arise from any written information furnished to us by the selling stockholder specifically for use in this prospectus, in accordance with the foregoing registration rights or we may be entitled to contribution.
Once sold under the registration statement, of which this prospectus forms a part, the shares of common stock will be freely tradable in the hands of persons other than our affiliates.
The following description of our capital stock summarizes general terms and provisions that apply to our capital stock. Since this is only a summary, it does not contain all the information that may be important to you. The summary is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to our articles of incorporation, as amended, and our bylaws, as amended, which are filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and incorporated by reference into this prospectus. See “Where You Can Find More Information.”
Our authorized capital consists of 25,000,000 shares of stock $0.001 par value per share and 10,000,000 shares of blank check preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. As December 31, 2016, we had 5,552,449 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding.
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Common Stock
For all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, holders of common stock are entitled to one vote for each share registered in his or her name on our books, and they do not have cumulative voting rights. Each share of the common stock is entitled to share equally with each other share of common stock in dividends from sources legally available therefore, when, as, and if declared by the board of directors and, upon our liquidation or dissolution, whether voluntary or involuntary, to share equally in the assets that are available for distribution to the holders of the common stock. Holders of our common stock have no preemptive, subscription, redemption or conversion rights. The board of directors is authorized to issue additional shares of common stock within the limits authorized by our Articles of Incorporation and without stockholder action.
Our common stock is listed and traded on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “DGLY”.
Dividend Policy
We have never paid a cash dividend on our common stock. We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future, and we plan to retain our earnings to finance our operations and future growth.
Private Placement of Warrants
On December 30, 2016, we completed the Private Placement of $4.0 million in principal amount of 8% Senior Secured Convertible Debentures (the “Debentures”) and common stock warrants (the “Warrants”) to two institutional investors, who are the selling shareholders. The Debentures and Warrants were issued pursuant to a Securities Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) between us and the selling shareholders. The Private Placement resulted in gross proceeds of $4.0 million before placement agent fees and other expenses associated with the transaction. The proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes. WestPark Capital acted as Placement Agent for us in the transaction and received a fee of $200,000 for its services. In addition, it will receive a fee of 3% of the gross proceeds we derive from the exercise of the Warrants.
Prior to the maturity date, the Debentures bear interest at 8% per annum with interest payable in cash quarterly in arrears on the first business day of each calendar quarter following the issuance date. The Debentures rank senior to our existing and future indebtedness and are secured to the extent and as provided in the security and related documents. The Debentures are convertible at any time six months after their date of issue at the option of the holders into shares of the Company’s common stock at $5.00 per share (the “Conversion Price”). The Debentures mature on March 30, 2018.
The Warrants are exercisable to purchase up to an aggregate of 800,000 shares of our common stock commencing on the date of issuance at an exercise price of $5.00 per share (the “Exercise Price”) until the fifth anniversary of their date of issuance.
The following is a summary of the Warrants and is subject to, and qualified in its entirety by, the terms set forth in the forms of the Warrants filed as exhibits to our Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on January 3, 2017.
Exercisability. The selling stockholders may exercise the Warrants at any time after their date of issuance, subject to the beneficial ownership limitation described below. The Warrants will expire on the fifth anniversary of their date of issuance. The selling stockholders shall deliver the aggregate exercise price for the shares of common stock specified in the exercise notice within three trading days following the date of exercise unless the cashless exercise is specified in the exercise notice.
Cashless Exercise. If, after six months of the date of issuance of the Warrants, there is no effective registration statement registering, or no current prospectus available for, the resale of the shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants, the selling stockholders may also exercise the Warrants, in whole or in part, on a cashless basis. When exercised on a cashless basis, a portion of the Warrants is cancelled in payment of the purchase price payable in respect of the number of shares of our common stock purchasable upon such exercise. Any Warrants that are outstanding on the termination date of the Warrants shall be automatically exercised via cashless exercise.
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Exercise Price. The exercise price of the Warrants is $5.00 per share of common stock and is subject to adjustment as described below.
Beneficial Ownership Limitation.
A selling stockholder shall have no right to exercise any portion of a Warrant, to the extent that, after giving effect to such exercise, such stockholder, together with such stockholder’s affiliates, and any persons acting as a group together with such stockholder or any such affiliate, would beneficially own in excess of, at the initial option of the holder thereof, either 4.99% or 9.99% of the number of shares of common stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to the issuance of the shares of common stock upon such exercise. The selling stockholder, upon not less than 61 days’ prior notice to us, may increase or decrease the beneficial ownership limitation to a percentage not to exceed 9.99%. Beneficial ownership of the selling stockholders and their affiliates will be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
Certain Adjustments.
Stock dividends and stock splits. If we pay a stock dividend or otherwise make a distribution payable in shares of common stock on shares of common stock or any other common stock equivalents, subdivide or combine outstanding common stock, or reclassify common stock, the exercise price of the Warrants will be adjusted by multiplying the then exercise price by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of common stock (excluding treasury shares, if any) outstanding immediately before such event, and the denominator of which shall be the number of shares outstanding immediately after such event.
Rights Offerings; pro rata distributions. If we issue common stock equivalents or rights to purchase stock, warrants, securities or other property pro rata to holders of common stock, a holder of Warrants will be entitled to acquire, subject to the beneficial ownership limitation described above, such common stock equivalents or rights that such holder could have acquired if such holder had held the number of shares of common stock issuable upon complete exercise of the Warrants immediately prior to the date a record is taken for such issuance. If we declare or make any dividend or other distribution of assets or rights to acquire assets to holders of common stock, a holder of the Warrants will be entitled to participate, subject to the beneficial ownership limitation, in such distribution to the same extent that the holder would have participated therein if the holder had held the number of Warrant Shares upon full exercise of the Warrants.
Fundamental Transaction. If we effect a fundamental transaction, including, among other things, a merger, sale of substantially of the assets, tender offer, exchange offer and other business combination transactions, then upon any subsequent exercise of the Warrants, the holder thereof shall have the right to receive, for each share of common stock that would have been issuable upon such exercise immediately prior to the occurrence of such fundamental transaction, the number of shares of the successor’s or acquiring corporation’s common stock or of our common stock, if we are the surviving corporation, and any additional consideration receivable as a result of such fundamental transaction by a holder of the number of shares of common stock for which the Warrants is exercisable immediately prior to such fundamental transaction.
Transferability. The Warrants and all rights thereunder are transferable, in whole or in part, upon surrender of the Warrants, together with a written assignment of the Warrants.
No Rights as Stockholder until Exercise. The holders of the Warrants do not have any voting rights, dividends or other rights as a holder of our capital stock until they exercise the Warrants, except as set forth above.
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July 2015 Private Placement of Warrants
On July 22, 2015, we closed a private placement in which the selling stockholders purchased the Series B Warrants exercisable to purchase 222,738 shares of common stock and the Series C Warrants exercisable to purchase 879,766 shares of common stock.
Anti-Takeover Provisions Under Nevada Law. Combinations with Interested Stockholder.
Sections 78.411-78.444, inclusive, of the Nevada Revised Statutes (“NRS”) contain provisions governing combinations with an interested stockholder. For purposes of the NRS, “combinations” include: (i) any merger or consolidation with any interested stockholder, (ii) any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition to any interested stockholder of corporate assets with an aggregate market value equal to 5% or more of the aggregate market value of the corporation’s consolidated assets, 5% or more of the outstanding shares of the corporation or 10% or more of the earning power or net income of the corporation; (iii) the issuance to any interested stockholder of voting shares (except pursuant to a share dividend or similar proportionate distribution) with an aggregate market value equal to 5% or more of the aggregate market value of all the outstanding shares of the corporation, (iv) the dissolution of the corporation if proposed by or on behalf of any interested stockholder, (v) any reclassification of securities, recapitalization or corporate reorganization that will have the effect of increasing the proportionate share of the corporation’s outstanding voting shares held by any interested stockholder and (vi) any receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit (except proportionately as a stockholder) of any loan, advance, guarantee, pledge or other financial assistance. For purposes of the NRS, an “interested stockholder” is defined to include any beneficial owner of more than 10% of any class of the voting securities of a Nevada corporation and any person who is an affiliate or associate of the corporation and was at any time during the preceding three years the beneficial owner or more than 10% of any class of the voting securities of the Nevada corporation.
Subject to certain exceptions, the provisions of the NRS statute governing combinations with interested stockholders provide that a Nevada corporation may not engage in a combination with an interested stockholder for two years after the date that the person first became an interested stockholder unless the combination or the transaction by which the person first became an interested stockholder is approved by the board of directors before the person first became an interested stockholder.
Control Share Acquisitions. The NRS also contains a “control share acquisitions statute.” If applicable to a Nevada corporation this statute restricts the voting rights of certain stockholders referred to as “acquiring persons,” that acquire or offer to acquire ownership of a “controlling interest” in the outstanding voting stock of an “issuing corporation.” For purposes of these provisions a “controlling interest” means with certain exceptions the ownership of outstanding voting stock sufficient to enable the acquiring person to exercise one-fifth or more but less than one-third, one-third or more but less than a majority, or a majority or more of all voting power in the election of directors and “issuing corporation” means a Nevada corporation that has 200 or more stockholders of record, at least 100 of whom have addresses in Nevada appearing on the stock ledger of the corporation, and which does business in Nevada directly or through an affiliated corporation. The voting rights of an acquiring person in the affected shares will be restored only if such restoration is approved by the holders of a majority of the voting power of the corporation. The NRS allows a corporation to “opt-out” of the control share acquisitions statute by providing in such corporation’s articles of incorporation or bylaws that the control share acquisitions statute does not apply to the corporation or to an acquisition of a controlling interest specifically by types of existing or future stockholders, whether or not identified.
Transfer Agent or Registrar
Action Stock Transfer Corporation is the transfer agent and registrar of our common stock.
The validity of our common stock will be passed upon for us by Christian J. Hoffmann, III, Securities Counsel of Digital Ally, Inc.
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The consolidated financial statements of Digital Ally, Inc. as of December 31, 2016 and 2015 and for each of the years in the two-year period ended December 31, 2016 incorporated in this Prospectus by reference from the Digital Ally, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 have been audited by RSM US LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report thereon, incorporated herein by reference, and have been incorporated in this Prospectus and Registration Statement in reliance upon such report and upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The SEC allows us to “incorporate by reference” information contained in documents that we file with the SEC into this prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents and that the information included in those documents is considered part of this prospectus. The following documents filed with the SEC are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, unless otherwise indicated:
● | our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, as filed on March 28, 2017 (File No. 001-33899), including information specifically incorporated by reference into our Form 10-K from our Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, as filed on April 3, 2017, for our Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 31, 2017; | |
● | our Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 3, 2017 (excluding any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of any such Current Report on Form 8-K) (File No. 001-33899); | |
● | the description of our common stock contained in our registration statement on Form SB-2, filed on October 16, 2006, No. 333-138025(the “October 2006 Form SB-2”), and any amendment or report subsequently filed for the purpose of updating such description; and | |
● | our specimen stock certificate contained as Exhibit 4.1 to our October 2006 SB-2 registration statement. |
All documents we file pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act (excluding any information furnished pursuant to Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 on any Current Report on Form 8-K) after the date of the initial registration statement and prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement and after the date of this prospectus and prior to the termination of this offering shall be deemed to be incorporated in this prospectus by reference and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained herein, or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein or in any subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.
We will provide to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom this prospectus is delivered these incorporated documents without charge, excluding any exhibits to these documents unless the exhibit is specifically incorporated by reference in such document, upon request received in writing or by telephone at the following address: Corporate Secretary, Digital Ally, Inc., 9705 Loiret Boulevard, Lenexa Kansas 66219, (914) 813-9774.
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WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
This prospectus forms a part of a registration statement on Form S-3 we filed with the SEC. This prospectus does not contain all the information found in the registration statement. For further information regarding us and our common stock, you may desire to review the full registration statement, including its exhibits and schedules, filed under the Securities Act. The registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, including its exhibits and schedules and the documents incorporated by reference therein, may be inspected and copied at the public reference room maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Copies of the materials may also be obtained from the SEC at prescribed rates by writing to the public reference room maintained by the SEC at 100 F Street, N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the public reference room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains a website on the Internet at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding companies that file electronically with the SEC. We maintain a website on the Internet at www.digitalally.com. Our registration statement, of which this prospectus constitutes a part, can be downloaded from the SEC’s website or from our website. Information on the SEC website, our website or any other website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus and does not constitute part of this prospectus.
We are subject to the proxy solicitation rules, annual and periodic reporting requirements, restrictions of stock purchases and sales by affiliates and other requirements of the Exchange Act. We furnish our stockholders with annual reports containing audited financial statements certified by independent auditors. You may read and copy any documents filed by us with the SEC at the public reference room and website of the SEC and at our website referred to above.
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800,000 Shares of Common Stock
DIGITAL ALLY, INC.
PROSPECTUS
April ___, 2017
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution. *
The following table sets forth all expenses payable by Digital Ally, Inc. (sometimes referred to as the “Company” in this Part II of the registration statement) in connection with the issuance and distribution of the securities.
SEC registration fee | $ | 463.60 | ||
Legal fees and expenses | $ | 8,000.00 | ||
Accounting fees and expenses | $ | 7,500.00 | ||
Printing expenses | $ | 1,000.00 | ||
Miscellaneous expenses | $ | 536.40 | ||
Total | $ | 17,500.00 |
*Other than the SEC registration fee, all amounts set forth above are estimates.
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Under Nevada law, a corporation shall indemnify a director or officer against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, actually and reasonably incurred by him, to the extent the director or officer has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding. A corporation may indemnify a director or officer who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, against expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with the action, suit or proceeding. Excepted from that immunity are:
● a willful failure to deal fairly with the company or its stockholders in connection with a matter in which the director has a material conflict of interest;
● a violation of criminal law (unless the director had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was lawful or no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful);
● a transaction from which the director derived an improper personal profit; and
● willful misconduct.
Our bylaws include an indemnification provision under which we have the power to indemnify our directors, officers and former officers and directors (including heirs and personal representatives) against all costs, charges and expenses actually and reasonably incurred, including an amount paid to settle an action or satisfy a judgment to which the director or officer is made a party by reason of being or having been a director or officer of Digital Ally, Inc. or any of our subsidiaries.
Our bylaws also provide that our directors may cause us to purchase and maintain insurance for the benefit of a person who is or was serving as a director, officer, employee or agent of Digital Ally, Inc. or any of our subsidiaries (including heirs and personal representatives) against a liability incurred by him or her as our director, officer, employee or agent.
ITEM 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.
(a) | A list of the exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K to be filed as a part of this registration statement is set forth in the Index to Exhibits on pages II-5 and II-6, which immediately precedes such exhibits. |
ITEM 17. Undertakings.
The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1)
To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;
II-1 |
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;
Provided, however, that:
Paragraphs (1)(i), (1)(ii) and (1)(iii) of this section do not apply if the registration statement is on Form S-3 and the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement, or is contained in a form of prospectus filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) that is part of the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(4)
That, for the purpose of determining liability under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser:
(i) Each prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) shall be deemed to be part of the registration statement as of the date the filed prospectus was deemed part of and included in the registration statement; and
(ii) Each prospectus required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(2), (b)(5), or (b)(7) as part of a registration statement in reliance on Rule 430B relating to an offering made pursuant to Rule 415(a)(1)(i), (vii), or (x) for the purpose of providing the information required by Section 10(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 shall be deemed to be part of and included in the registration statement as of the earlier of the date such form of prospectus is first used after effectiveness or the date of the first contract of sale of securities in the offering described in the prospectus. As provided in Rule 430B, for liability purposes of the issuer and any person that is at that date an underwriter, such date shall be deemed to be a new effective date of the registration statement relating to the securities in the registration statement to which that prospectus relates, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Provided, however, that no statement made in a registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement or made in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference into the registration statement or prospectus that is part of the registration statement will, as to a purchaser with a time of contract of sale prior to such effective date, supersede or modify any statement that was made in the registration statement or prospectus that was part of the registration statement or made in any such document immediately prior to such effective date.
(5) That, for the purpose of determining liability of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933 to any purchaser in the initial distribution of the securities, the undersigned registrant undertakes that in a primary offering of securities of the undersigned registrant pursuant to this registration statement, regardless of the underwriting method used to sell the securities to the purchaser, if the securities are offered or sold to such purchaser by means of any of the following communications, the undersigned registrant will be a seller to the purchaser and will be considered to offer or sell such securities to such purchaser:
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(i) Any preliminary prospectus or prospectus of the undersigned registrant relating to the offering required to be filed pursuant to Rule 424;
(ii) Any free writing prospectus relating to the offering prepared by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant or used or referred to by the undersigned registrant;
(iii) The portion of any other free writing prospectus relating to the offering containing material information about the undersigned registrant or its securities provided by or on behalf of the undersigned registrant; and
(iv) Any other communication that is an offer in the offering made by the undersigned registrant to the purchaser.
(6) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(7) If and when applicable, the undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305(b)(2) of the Act.
(8) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
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Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Lenexa, Kansas, on the 3rd day of April, 2017.
DIGITAL ALLY, INC. | |||
By: | /s/ STANTON E. ROSS | ||
Stanton E. Ross Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer |
Power of Attorney
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints each of Stanton E. Ross and Thomas J. Heckman, his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file with the Securities and Exchange Commission and any state securities regulatory board or commission any documents relating to the proposed issuance and registration of the securities offered pursuant to this registration statement on Form S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including any amendment or amendments relating thereto (and, in addition, any post-effective amendments), with all exhibits and any and all documents required to be filed with respect thereto with any regulatory authority, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises in order to effectuate the same as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do if personally present, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or either of them, or their or his substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated below on the 3rd day of April, 2017.
Signature | Title | |
/s/ STANTON E. ROSS |
Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer | |
Stanton E. Ross | (Principal Executive Officer) | |
/s/ THOMAS J. HECKMAN |
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial | |
Thomas J. Heckman | Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) | |
/s/ LEROY C. RICHIE | ||
Leroy C. Richie | Director | |
/s/ DANIEL F. HUTCHINS |
| |
Daniel F. Hutchins | Director | |
/s/ MICHAEL J. CAULFIELD |
| |
Michael J. Caulfield | Director |
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INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit Number | Description | ||
4.1 | — | Plan of Merger among Vegas Petra, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and Digital Ally, Inc., a Nevada corporation, and its stockholders, dated November 30, 2004 - previously filed as Exhibit 2.1 of the Company’s Form SB-2, filed October 16, 2006, No. 333-138025 (the “October 2006 Form SB-2”) | |
4.2 | — | Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Registrant, dated December 13, 2004 - previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 of the October 2006 Form SB-2 | |
4.3 | |||
— | Amended and Restated Bylaws - previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 of the October 2006 Form SB-2 | ||
4.4 | — | Specimen form of the Company’s Common Stock Certificate - previously filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Exhibit 4.1 of the October 2006 Form SB-2 | |
4.5 | — | Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant - previously filed as Exhibit 10.68 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on January 3, 2017 | |
4.6 |
—
|
Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 30, 2016 – previously filed as Exhibit 10.66 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on January 3, 2017 | |
4.7 |
—
|
Form of 8% Senior Secured Convertible Debenture - previously filed as Exhibit 10.67 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K on January 3, 2017 | |
5.1 * | — | Legal Opinion of Christian J. Hoffmann, III, Securities Counsel, Digital Ally, Inc. | |
23.1 * | — | Consent of RSM US LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. | |
23.2 * | — | Consent of Christian J. Hoffmann, III (included in his legal opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1). | |
24.1 * | — | Power of Attorney of the Officers and Directors of Digital Ally, Inc. (included on the signature page). |
*Filed with this Registration Statement.
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