Public companies are required to disclose risks that can affect the business and impact the stock. These disclosures are known as “Risk Factors”. Companies disclose these risks in their yearly (Form 10-K), quarterly earnings (Form 10-Q), or “foreign private issuer” reports (Form 20-F). Risk factors show the challenges a company faces. Investors can consider the worst-case scenarios before making an investment. TipRanks’ Risk Analysis categorizes risks based on proprietary classification algorithms and machine learning.
Network-1 Technologies disclosed 23 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Network-1 Technologies reported the most risks in the “Tech & Innovation” category.
Risk Overview Q3, 2024
Risk Distribution
39% Tech & Innovation
35% Finance & Corporate
17% Legal & Regulatory
4% Production
4% Ability to Sell
0% Macro & Political
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
This chart displays the stock's most recent risk distribution according to category. TipRanks has identified 6 major categories: Finance & corporate, legal & regulatory, macro & political, production, tech & innovation, and ability to sell.
Risk Change Over Time
S&P500 Average
Sector Average
Risks removed
Risks added
Risks changed
Network-1 Technologies Risk Factors
New Risk (0)
Risk Changed (0)
Risk Removed (0)
No changes from previous report
The chart shows the number of risks a company has disclosed. You can compare this to the sector average or S&P 500 average.
The quarters shown in the chart are according to the calendar year (January to December). Businesses set their own financial calendar, known as a fiscal year. For example, Walmart ends their financial year at the end of January to accommodate the holiday season.
Risk Highlights Q3, 2024
Main Risk Category
Tech & Innovation
With 9 Risks
Tech & Innovation
With 9 Risks
Number of Disclosed Risks
23
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 31
23
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 31
Recent Changes
0Risks added
0Risks removed
0Risks changed
Since Sep 2024
0Risks added
0Risks removed
0Risks changed
Since Sep 2024
Number of Risk Changed
0
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 3
0
No changes from last report
S&P 500 Average: 3
See the risk highlights of Network-1 Technologies in the last period.
Risk Word Cloud
The most common phrases about risk factors from the most recent report. Larger texts indicate more widely used phrases.
Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 23
Tech & Innovation
Total Risks: 9/23 (39%)Above Sector Average
Innovation / R&D1 | 4.3%
Innovation / R&D - Risk 1
The increasing development of artificial intelligence could materially impact our business.
Our patents are central to our business strategy of licensing our intellectual property rights or enforcing such rights against those that we believe are infringing. However, rapid advancements in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have the potential to disrupt our current business model in various ways. AI technologies are increasingly capable of developing solutions that either design around existing patents or create alternative technologies that may not infringe on our intellectual property. As AI evolves, it may accelerate the pace at which our patents become obsolete or irrelevant, reducing our ability to monetize our patent portfolio effectively. Furthermore, the proliferation of AI may lead to the emergence of new market participants with innovative solutions that challenge our patents' validity or enforceability. Such challenges could result in lengthy legal battles or the invalidation of our patents, thereby impacting our potential future revenue.
AI driven legal analytics tools can also empower potential infringers with sophisticated insights into the strengths and weaknesses of our patent claims, potentially reducing our leverage in litigation and licensing negotiations. The integration of AI technologies into the products and services of the companies we may assert claims against could also complicate infringement analyses and legal arguments, potentially affecting the outcomes of our enforcement actions. Investors are advised that our financial results could be adversely affected if we are unable to adapt to the rapid changes brought about by AI and ML technologies, and our ability to enforce our patent rights is consequently diminished.
Trade Secrets7 | 30.4%
Trade Secrets - Risk 1
The patent monetization cycle is long, costly and unpredictable.
There is generally a significant time lag between acquiring a patent portfolio and recognizing revenue from those patent assets. During this time lag, significant costs are likely to be incurred which may have a negative impact on our results of operations, cash flow and financial position. Furthermore, the outcome of our efforts to monetize our patents is uncertain and we may not be successful.
Trade Secrets - Risk 2
We may not be able to capitalize in the future on our strategy to acquire high quality patents with significant licensing opportunities or enter into strategic relationships with third parties to license or otherwise monetize their intellectual property.
Based upon the success we achieved from licensing our Remote Power Patent (twenty-eight (28) license agreements and in excess of $188,000,000 of revenue through December 31, 2023), the revenue we generated from our Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio ($47,150,000) and establishing a patent portfolio currently consisting of one hundred (100) U.S. patents and fifteen (15) foreign patents as well as our cash position, we believe we have the expertise and sufficient capital to compete in the patent monetization market and to enter strategic relationships with third parties to develop, commercialize, license or otherwise monetize their patents. Our strategy is to focus on acquiring high quality patent assets which management believes have the potential for significant licensing opportunities. However, we may not be able to acquire such additional high quality patents or, if acquired, we may not achieve material revenue or profit from such patents. Acquisitions of patent assets are competitive, time consuming, complex and costly to consummate. High quality patents with significant licensing opportunities are difficult to find and are often very competitive to acquire. In addition, such acquisitions present material risks. Even if we acquire such additional patent assets, we may not be able to achieve significant licensing revenue or even generate sufficient revenue related to such patent assets to offset the acquisition costs and the legal fees and expenses which may be incurred to enforce, license or otherwise monetize such patents. In addition, we may not be able to enter into strategic relationships with third parties to license or otherwise monetize their intellectual property and, even if we consummate such strategic relationships, we may not achieve material revenue or profit from such relationships.
Trade Secrets - Risk 3
Our pending patent infringement litigations are time consuming and costly.
We have pending litigations involving our Cox Patent Portfolio, Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio (pending appeal to the Federal Circuit of dismissal of our Facebook (Meta Platforms, Inc.) litigation) and Remote Power Patent (see "Legal Proceedings" at pages 19 - 21 of this Annual Report). While we have contingent legal fee arrangements, or a contingency plus a fixed cash amount arrangement, with our patent litigation counsel in each litigation, we are responsible for all or a portion of the expenses which are anticipated to be material. In addition, the time and effort required of our management to effectively pursue these litigations is likely to be significant and it may adversely affect other business opportunities.
Trade Secrets - Risk 4
Changes in patent law could adversely impact our business.
Patent laws may continue to change and may alter the protections afforded to owners of patent rights. Such changes may not be advantageous to us and may make it more difficult to obtain adequate patent protection to enforce our patents. Increased focus on the growing number of patent lawsuits, particularly by non-practicing entities (NPEs), may result in further legislative changes which increase the risk and costs of asserting patent litigation.
Trade Secrets - Risk 5
If we are unable to protect our patents, our business would be negatively impacted.
We believe our patents are valid, enforceable and valuable. Despite this belief, third parties typically defend assertion of our patents by asserting defenses, among others, of non-infringement and invalidity. In addition, in the future certain of our patents may be subject to USPTO post-grant inter partes review proceedings (IPRs) which could result in all or a part of our patents being invalidated or the claims being limited. Unfavorable outcomes in our litigation or IPRs may reduce our ability to enforce our patents or have other adverse consequences. If we are unable to protect our patents or otherwise realize value for them, our business would be negatively impacted.
Trade Secrets - Risk 6
Our revenue is uncertain as it is dependent upon litigation outcomes involving our patents which we cannot predict.
Our revenue is dependent upon our litigation outcomes. We currently have pending litigation involving our Cox Patent Portfolio and Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio as well as our Remote Power Patent (see "Legal Proceedings" at pages 19 - 21 hereof). Patent litigation is inherently risky and uncertain and we cannot assure you that any of our current or future litigation will result in a favorable outcome for us. Accordingly, our revenue is uncertain.
Trade Secrets - Risk 7
We have been dependent upon our Remote Power Patent for a significant portion of our revenue and we may not be able to generate future revenue from our other patents.
Our Remote Power Patent has generated revenue for us in excess of $188,000,000 from May 2007 through December 31, 2023. Revenue from our Remote Power Patent constituted 100% of our revenue ($2,601,000) for 2023. We had no revenue in 2022 and revenue from our Remote Power Patent constituted 100% of our revenue for 2021 ($36,029,000), 2020 ($4,403,000) and 2019 ($3,037,000). As a result of the expiration of our Remote Power Patent on March 7, 2020, we no longer receive revenue from such patent for any period subsequent to the expiration date. Our failure to successfully monetize our other patents would have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and operating results.
Technology1 | 4.3%
Technology - Risk 1
Our markets are subject to rapid technological change and our technologies face potential technology obsolescence.
The markets covered by our intellectual property are characterized by rapid technological changes, changing customer requirements, frequent new product introductions and enhancements, and evolving industry standards. The introduction of products embodying new technologies and the emergence of new industry standards may render our technologies obsolete or less marketable.
In addition, other companies may develop competing technologies that offer better or less expensive alternatives to the technologies covered by our intellectual property. Moreover, technological advances or entirely different approaches developed by other companies or adopted by various standards groups could render our patents obsolete, less marketable or unenforceable.
Finance & Corporate
Total Risks: 8/23 (35%)Below Sector Average
Share Price & Shareholder Rights4 | 17.4%
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1
Our stock price may be volatile.
The market price of our common stock may be highly volatile and could fluctuate widely in price in response to various factors, many of which are beyond our control, including, but not limited to, the following:
- the outcome of our litigation against Google and YouTube involving certain patents within our Cox Patent Portfolio;- our ability to further develop, license and monetize our M2M/IoT Patent Portfolio;- our ability to further develop, license and monetize our HFT Patent Portfolio;- our ability to achieve a successful outcome of our investment in ILiAD;- our ability to acquire additional intellectual property;- our ability to enter into strategic relationships with third parties to license or otherwise monetize their intellectual property;- variations in our quarterly and annual operating results;- our ability to continue to pay cash dividends;- our ability to raise capital if needed;- sales of our common stock;- technology changes;- legislative, regulatory and competitive developments; and - economic and other external factors.
In addition, the securities markets have from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also have a material and adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2
Provisions in our corporate charter, by-laws and in Delaware law could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, discourage a takeover and adversely affect existing stockholders.
Our certificate of incorporation authorizes the Board of Directors to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The preferred stock may be issued in one or more series, the terms of which may be determined at the time of issuance by our Board of Directors, without further action by stockholders, and may include, among other things, voting rights (including the right to vote as a series on particular matters), preferences as to dividends and liquidation, conversion and redemption rights, and sinking fund provisions, any of which could adversely affect holders of our common stock. Although there are currently no shares of preferred stock outstanding, future holders of preferred stock may have rights superior to our common stock and such rights could also be used to restrict our ability to merge with or sell our assets to third parties.
We are also subject to the "anti-takeover" provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which could prevent us from engaging in a "business combination" with a 15% or greater stockholder for a period of three years from the date such person acquired that status unless appropriate board or stockholder approvals are obtained.
In addition, our By-laws contain advance notice requirements for director nominations and for new business to be brought up at stockholder meetings. Stockholders wishing to submit director nominations or raise matters to a vote of stockholders must provide notice to us within specified date windows and in very specific forms in order to have that matter voted on at a stockholders meeting.
The aforementioned provisions could deter unsolicited takeovers or delay or prevent changes in our control or management, including transactions in which stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over the then current market price. These provisions may also limit the ability of stockholders to delay, deter or prevent a change of control, or approve transactions that they may deem to be in their best interests.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3
Our common stock may be delisted from the NYSE American exchange if we fail to comply with continued listing standards.
Our common stock is currently traded on the NYSE American exchange under the symbol "NTIP". If we fail to meet any of the continued listing standards of the NYSE American exchange, our common stock could be delisted. Such delisting could adversely affect the price and trading (including liquidity) of our common stock.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4
Investors may have limited influence on stockholder decisions because ownership of our common stock is concentrated.
As of February 15 , 2024, our executive officers and directors beneficially owned 32% of our outstanding common stock. As a result, these stockholders may be able to exercise substantial control over all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions, such as a merger or other sale of our company or its assets. This concentration of ownership will limit other stockholders' ability to influence corporate matters and may have the effect of delaying or preventing a third party from acquiring control over us.
Accounting & Financial Operations3 | 13.0%
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 1
There are inherent uncertainties involved in estimates, judgments and assumptions used in the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Any changes in estimates, judgments and assumptions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States involves making estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets (including intangible assets), liabilities and related reserves, revenues, expenses, and income. Estimates, judgments, and assumptions are inherently subject to change in the future, and any such changes could result in corresponding changes to the amounts of assets, liabilities, expenses, and income. Any such changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 2
Cash dividends may not be continued to be paid.
Our dividend policy consists of semi-annual cash dividends of $0.05 per share ($0.10 per share annually) which have been paid in March and September of each year. We have paid such semi-annual dividends since our dividend policy was enacted in December 2016. At this time, we anticipate continuing to pay dividends consistent with our policy. However, our dividend policy undergoes a periodic review by our Board of Directors and is subject to change at any time depending upon our earnings, financial requirements and other factors existing at the time. We may not be in a position to continue to pay dividends in the future.
Accounting & Financial Operations - Risk 3
Our quarterly and annual operating and financial results, including our revenue, are difficult to predict and are likely to fluctuate significantly in future periods.
Our quarterly and annual operating and financial results are difficult to predict and may fluctuate significantly from period to period. In 2023, we had revenue of $2,601,000 and incurred a net loss of $1,457,000. In 2022, we had no revenue and incurred a net loss of $2,326,000. We had revenue of $36,029,000 and net income of $14,281,000 for 2021, as compared to revenue of $4,403,000 and a net loss of $1,709,000 for 2020. Accordingly, our revenue, net income and results of operations may widely fluctuate as a result of a variety of factors that are outside our control including the timing and our ability to achieve successful outcomes from current and future patent litigation, our ability and timing in consummating future license agreements for our intellectual property assets, the timing and extent of payments received by us from licensees, whether we will achieve a successful outcome of our investment in ILiAD, and the timing and our ability to achieve revenue from future strategic relationships.
Corporate Activity and Growth1 | 4.3%
Corporate Activity and Growth - Risk 1
The outcome of our substantial investment in ILiAD is uncertain.
To date we have invested $7,000,000 in ILiAD, a privately held clinical stage biotechnology company, with focus on validating its proprietary intranasal vaccine (BPZE1) for the prevention of pertussis (whopping cough). Notwithstanding the aforementioned, ILiAD still faces material risks going forward. Accordingly, our investment in ILiAD remains subject to substantial risks.
Legal & Regulatory
Total Risks: 4/23 (17%)Below Sector Average
Regulation1 | 4.3%
Regulation - Risk 1
Legislation, regulations, court rulings and actions by the USPTO have materially increased the risk and cost of enforcement of patents and may continue to do so in the future.
Legislation, regulations, court rulings and actions by the USPTO have materially increased the risk and cost of enforcing patents. U.S. patent laws were amended by the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, referred to as the America Invents Act, which became effective on March 16, 2013. The America Invents Act included a number of significant changes to U.S. patent law. In general, it addressed issues surrounding the enforceability of patents and the increase in patent litigation by, among other things, established new procedures for patent litigation and new administrative post-grant review procedures to challenge the patentability of issued patents outside of litigation, including Inter Partes Review (IPR) proceedings, which provide third parties a timely, cost effective alternative to district court litigation to challenge the validity of an issued patent. In addition, the America Invents Act changed the way that parties may be joined in patent infringement actions, and increased the likelihood that such actions will need to be brought against individual parties allegedly infringing by their respective individual actions or activities. The America Invents Act and its implementation also increased the uncertainties and costs surrounding the enforcement of patent rights, which have made it more difficult to successfully prosecute our patents.
Litigation & Legal Liabilities2 | 8.7%
Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 1
We may not achieve successful outcomes of our pending or future litigation which would have a negative impact on our business.
We are currently enforcing certain patents within our Cox Patent Portfolio against Google and YouTube, who are challenging these patents and we are also asserting our Remote Power Patent against Ubiquity Inc. and Honeywell International Inc. We have appealed to the Federal Circuit the District Court decision granting Facebook (Meta Platforms, Inc.), summary judgment of non-infringement and dismissing our case involving certain patents within our Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio (see "Legal Proceedings" at pages 19 - 20 hereof). In addition, our M2M/IoT Patent Portfolio and HFT Patent Portfolio are not currently being asserted. We may not have success in enforcing or defending our patents, which would have a negative impact on our business.
Litigation & Legal Liabilities - Risk 2
The burdens of being a public company may adversely affect us including our ability to pursue litigation.
As a public company, our management must devote substantial time, attention and financial resources to comply with U.S. securities laws. This may have a material adverse effect on management's ability to effectively and efficiently pursue its business. In addition, our disclosure obligations under U.S. securities laws require us to disclose information publicly that will be available to litigation opponents. We may, from time to time, be required to disclose information that may have a material adverse effect on our litigation strategies. This information may enable our litigation opponents to develop effective litigation strategies that are contrary to our interests.
Taxation & Government Incentives1 | 4.3%
Taxation & Government Incentives - Risk 1
In the future we could be classified as a Personal Holding Company resulting in a 20% tax on our PHC Income that we do not distribute to our shareholders.
The personal holding company ("PHC") rules under the Internal Revenue Code impose a 20% tax on a PHC's undistributed personal holding company income ("UPHCI"), which means, in general, taxable income subject to certain adjustments and reduced by certain distributions to shareholders. For a corporation to be classified as a PHC, it must satisfy two tests: (1) that more than 50% in value of its outstanding shares must be owned directly or indirectly by five or fewer individuals at any time during the second half of the year (after applying constructive ownership rules to attribute stock owned by entities to their beneficial owners and among certain family members and other related parties) (the "Ownership Test") and (2) at least 60% of its adjusted ordinary gross income for a taxable year consists of dividends, interest, royalties, annuities and rents (the "Income Test"). During the second half of 2023, based on available information concerning our shareholder ownership, we did not satisfy the Ownership Test. In addition, we did not satisfy the Income Test for 2023. Thus, we were not a PHC for 2023. However, we may be determined to be a PHC in the future. If we were determined to be a PHC in 2024 or any future year, we would be subject to an additional 20% tax on our UPHCI. In such event, we may issue a special cash dividend to our shareholders in an amount equal to the UPHCI rather than incur the 20% tax.
Production
Total Risks: 1/23 (4%)Below Sector Average
Employment / Personnel1 | 4.3%
Employment / Personnel - Risk 1
We are dependent upon our CEO and Chairman.
Our success is largely dependent upon the personal efforts of Corey M. Horowitz, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our Board of Directors. On March 22, 2022, we entered into a new four year employment agreement with Mr. Horowitz pursuant to which he continues to serve as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The loss of the services of Mr. Horowitz would have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects. We do not maintain key-man life insurance on the life of Mr. Horowitz.
Ability to Sell
Total Risks: 1/23 (4%)Below Sector Average
Competition1 | 4.3%
Competition - Risk 1
We face intense competition to acquire intellectual property and enter into strategic relationships.
With respect to our ability to acquire additional intellectual property or enter into strategic relationships with third parties to monetize their intellectual property, we face considerable competition from other companies, many of which have significantly greater financial and other resources than we have. We face a number of competitors in the patent licensing and enforcement business seeking to acquire intellectual property rights from third parties. Many of these competitors have significantly more financial and human resources than us.
We may also compete with strategic corporate buyers, litigation funding firms, venture capital firms and hedge funds for intellectual property acquisitions and licensing opportunities. Many of these competitors have greater financial resources and human resources than us.
See a full breakdown of risk according to category and subcategory. The list starts with the category with the most risk. Click on subcategories to read relevant extracts from the most recent report.
FAQ
What are “Risk Factors”?
Risk factors are any situations or occurrences that could make investing in a company risky.
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires that publicly traded companies disclose their most significant risk factors. This is so that potential investors can consider any risks before they make an investment.
They also offer companies protection, as a company can use risk factors as liability protection. This could happen if a company underperforms and investors take legal action as a result.
It is worth noting that smaller companies, that is those with a public float of under $75 million on the last business day, do not have to include risk factors in their 10-K and 10-Q forms, although some may choose to do so.
How do companies disclose their risk factors?
Publicly traded companies initially disclose their risk factors to the SEC through their S-1 filings as part of the IPO process.
Additionally, companies must provide a complete list of risk factors in their Annual Reports (Form 10-K) or (Form 20-F) for “foreign private issuers”.
Quarterly Reports also include a section on risk factors (Form 10-Q) where companies are only required to update any changes since the previous report.
According to the SEC, risk factors should be reported concisely, logically and in “plain English” so investors can understand them.
How can I use TipRanks risk factors in my stock research?
Use the Risk Factors tab to get data about the risk factors of any company in which you are considering investing.
You can easily see the most significant risks a company is facing. Additionally, you can find out which risk factors a company has added, removed or adjusted since its previous disclosure. You can also see how a company’s risk factors compare to others in its sector.
Without reading company reports or participating in conference calls, you would most likely not have access to this sort of information, which is usually not included in press releases or other public announcements.
A simplified analysis of risk factors is unique to TipRanks.
What are all the risk factor categories?
TipRanks has identified 6 major categories of risk factors and a number of subcategories for each. You can see how these categories are broken down in the list below.
1. Financial & Corporate
Accounting & Financial Operations - risks related to accounting loss, value of intangible assets, financial statements, value of intangible assets, financial reporting, estimates, guidance, company profitability, dividends, fluctuating results.
Share Price & Shareholder Rights – risks related to things that impact share prices and the rights of shareholders, including analyst ratings, major shareholder activity, trade volatility, liquidity of shares, anti-takeover provisions, international listing, dual listing.
Debt & Financing – risks related to debt, funding, financing and interest rates, financial investments.
Corporate Activity and Growth – risks related to restructuring, M&As, joint ventures, execution of corporate strategy, strategic alliances.
2. Legal & Regulatory
Litigation and Legal Liabilities – risks related to litigation/ lawsuits against the company.
Regulation – risks related to compliance, GDPR, and new legislation.
Environmental / Social – risks related to environmental regulation and to data privacy.
Taxation & Government Incentives – risks related to taxation and changes in government incentives.
3. Production
Costs – risks related to costs of production including commodity prices, future contracts, inventory.
Supply Chain – risks related to the company’s suppliers.
Manufacturing – risks related to the company’s manufacturing process including product quality and product recalls.
Human Capital – risks related to recruitment, training and retention of key employees, employee relationships & unions labor disputes, pension, and post retirement benefits, medical, health and welfare benefits, employee misconduct, employee litigation.
4. Technology & Innovation
Innovation / R&D – risks related to innovation and new product development.
Technology – risks related to the company’s reliance on technology.
Cyber Security – risks related to securing the company’s digital assets and from cyber attacks.
Trade Secrets & Patents – risks related to the company’s ability to protect its intellectual property and to infringement claims against the company as well as piracy and unlicensed copying.
5. Ability to Sell
Demand – risks related to the demand of the company’s goods and services including seasonality, reliance on key customers.
Competition – risks related to the company’s competition including substitutes.
Sales & Marketing – risks related to sales, marketing, and distribution channels, pricing, and market penetration.
Brand & Reputation – risks related to the company’s brand and reputation.
6. Macro & Political
Economy & Political Environment – risks related to changes in economic and political conditions.
Natural and Human Disruptions – risks related to catastrophes, floods, storms, terror, earthquakes, coronavirus pandemic/COVID-19.
International Operations – risks related to the global nature of the company.
Capital Markets – risks related to exchange rates and trade, cryptocurrency.