Quarterly Report (10-q)

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2020

☐	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to

Commission File Number: 001-34108

DIGIMARC CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Oregon

26-2828185

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

9405 SW Gemini Drive, Beaverton, Oregon 97008

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(503) 469-4800

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class		Trading Symbol		Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common Stock, $0.001 Par Value Per Share		DMRC		The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer	☐	Accelerated filer	☒

Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☒

Emerging growth company	☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒

As of April 24, 2020, there were 12,642,344 shares of the registrant’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share, outstanding.

Table of Contents

PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.	Financial Statements (Unaudited):	3
	Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019	3
	Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019	4
	Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019	5
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019	6
	Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	7
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	17
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	29

PART II OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	30
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	30
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	31
Item 6.	Exhibits	32
SIGNATURES		33

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.

Financial Statements.

DIGIMARC CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except per share data)

(UNAUDITED)

	March 31,			December 31,
	2020			2019
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	10,250		$	11,213
Marketable securities		20,320			25,604
Trade accounts receivable, net		3,959			4,021
Other current assets		2,118			2,456
Total current assets		36,647			43,294
Property and equipment, net		3,539			3,650
Intangibles, net		6,629			6,670
Goodwill		1,114			1,114
Other assets		2,524			2,660
Total assets	$	50,453		$	57,388
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	$	2,349		$	2,272
Deferred revenue		3,015			3,172
Total current liabilities		5,364			5,444
Lease liability and other long-term liabilities		2,346			2,494
Total liabilities		7,710			7,938
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
Shareholders’ equity:
Preferred stock (par value $0.001 per share, 2,500 authorized, 10 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019)		50			50
Common stock (par value $0.001 per share, 50,000 authorized, 12,645 and 12,446 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively)		13			12
Additional paid-in capital		190,303			188,103
Accumulated deficit		(147,623	)		(138,715	)
Total shareholders’ equity		42,743			49,450
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$	50,453		$	57,388

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

DIGIMARC CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

(UNAUDITED)

	Three			Three
	Months			Months
	Ended			Ended
	March 31,			March 31,
	2020			2019
Revenue:
Service	$	3,738		$	3,814
Subscription		2,451			1,846
Total revenue		6,189			5,660
Cost of revenue:
Service		1,684			1,645
Subscription		514			489
Total cost of revenue		2,198			2,134
Gross profit		3,991			3,526
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing		5,246			4,950
Research, development and engineering		4,433			4,038
General and administrative		3,367			3,210
Total operating expenses		13,046			12,198
Operating loss		(9,055	)		(8,672	)
Other income, net		142			237
Loss before income taxes		(8,913	)		(8,435	)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		5			(28	)
Net loss	$	(8,908	)	$	(8,463	)
Earnings (loss) per common share:
Loss per common share — basic	$	(0.74	)	$	(0.74	)
Loss per common share — diluted	$	(0.74	)	$	(0.74	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic		12,037			11,487
Weighted average common shares outstanding — diluted		12,037			11,487

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

DIGIMARC CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands)

(UNAUDITED)


										Additional						Total
	Preferred Stock				Common Stock					Paid-in			Accumulated			Shareholders'
	Shares		Amount		Shares			Amount		Capital			Deficit			Equity
Three months ended March 31, 2020:
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2019		10	$	50		12,446		$	12	$	188,103		$	(138,715	)	$	49,450
Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs		—		—		28			1		573			—			574
Exercise of stock options		—		—		8			—		135			—			135
Issuance of restricted common stock		—		—		186			—		—			—			—
Forfeiture of restricted common stock		—		—		—			—		—			—			—
Purchase and retirement of common stock		—		—		(23	)		—		(738	)		—			(738	)
Stock-based compensation		—		—		—			—		2,230			—			2,230
Net loss		—		—		—			—		—			(8,908	)		(8,908	)
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2020		10	$	50		12,645		$	13	$	190,303		$	(147,623	)	$	42,743

Three months ended March 31, 2019:
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 2018		10	$	50		11,891		$	12	$	162,428		$	(105,875	)	$	56,615
Exercise of stock options		—		—		10			—		99			—			99
Issuance of restricted common stock		—		—		255			—		—			—			—
Forfeiture of restricted common stock		—		—		(1	)		—		—			—			—
Purchase and retirement of common stock		—		—		(20	)		—		(486	)		—			(486	)
Stock-based compensation		—		—		—			—		2,078			—			2,078
Net loss		—		—		—			—		—			(8,463	)		(8,463	)
BALANCE AT MARCH 31, 2019		10	$	50		12,135		$	12	$	164,119		$	(114,338	)	$	49,843

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

DIGIMARC CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

(UNAUDITED)

	Three			Three
	Months			Months
	Ended			Ended
	March 31,			March 31,
	2020			2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$	(8,908	)	$	(8,463	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and write-off of property and equipment		374			357
Amortization and write-off of intangibles		201			180
Stock-based compensation		2,195			2,037
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Trade accounts receivable		62			161
Other current assets		338			74
Other assets		136			(33	)
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities		61			800
Deferred revenue		(146	)		(393	)
Lease liability and other long-term liabilities		(159	)		(174	)
Net cash used in operating activities		(5,846	)		(5,454	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment		(235	)		(194	)
Capitalized patent costs		(137	)		(153	)
Maturity of marketable securities		11,691			6,744
Purchase of marketable securities		(6,407	)		(3,559	)
Net cash provided by investing activities		4,912			2,838
Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuance of common stock, net of issuance costs		574			—
Exercise of stock options		135			99
Purchase of common stock		(738	)		(486	)
Net cash used in financing activities		(29	)		(387	)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents		(963	)		(3,003	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		11,213			27,278
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	10,250		$	24,275
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash received (paid) for income taxes, net	$	16		$	(3	)
Supplemental schedule of non-cash activities:
Property and equipment and patent costs in accounts payable	$	16		$	2
Stock-based compensation capitalized to software and patent costs	$	35		$	41
Right of use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations	$	—		$	2,709

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements

DIGIMARC CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(In thousands, except per share data)

(UNAUDITED)

1. Description of Business and Significant Accounting Policies

Description of Business

Digimarc Corporation (“Digimarc” or the “Company”), an Oregon corporation, enables governments, banks, retailers, consumer brands, and other businesses around the world to automatically and reliably identify and interact with virtually any form of media. The Company has pioneered the Digimarc Platform, featuring three core functions for the identification, discovery and verification of digitally enhanced media. Digimarc provides objects with an indelible, imperceptible data carrier: Digimarc Barcode. Data in the carrier uniquely identifies the object. The Digimarc Platform also provides software for relevant devices to “discover” objects (i.e., decode data from that carrier) using Digimarc software, known as Digimarc Discover. Digimarc Verify, a suite of verification and quality control tools, assesses signal quality and validates data at critical stages of production when the Digimarc Barcode is applied to an object. Together, these core functions enable organizations, application developers, and other solution providers to build new features, functionality and additional value on the Digimarc Platform.

Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

Our significant accounting policies are detailed in “Note 1: Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019. Significant changes to our accounting policies as a result of adopting Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 842, “Leases,” effective January 1, 2019, are discussed in Note 11 below.

The accompanying interim consolidated financial statements have been prepared from the Company’s records without audit and, in management’s opinion, include all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to fairly reflect the financial condition and the results of operations for the periods presented. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

These interim consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, which was filed with the SEC on February 27, 2020. The results of operations for the interim periods presented in these consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the results for the full year.

Reclassifications

Certain prior period amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and notes thereto have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation, including the reclassification of revenue and expense accounts to better align with the presentation provided by our peers in the software industry. These reclassifications had no material effect on the results of operations or financial position for any period presented.

Accounting Pronouncements Adopted

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2016-02, “Leases (ASC 842),” which supersedes “Leases (ASC 840).” ASU No. 2016-02 increases the transparency and comparability of organizations by recognizing lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. This guidance required that operating leases recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability measured at the present value of the lease payments in the statement of financial position, recognize a single lease cost allocated over the lease term on a straight-line basis, and classify all cash payments within operating activities in the statement of cash flows. The amendments in this update were effective for fiscal years beginning after December 31, 2018, and interim periods beginning in the first interim period within the year of adoption. In July 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-11, “Leases (ASC 842) Targeted Improvements,” to provide a transition election to not restate comparative periods for the effects of applying the new standard. This transition election permitted entities to change the date of initial application to the beginning of the year of adoption and to recognize the effects of applying the new standard as a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. In March 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-01, “Leases (ASC 842) Codification Improvements,” to increase transparency and comparability about disclosing essential information about leasing transactions. Collectively, ASUs 2016-02, 2018-11 and 2019-01 are defined as “ASC 842.” The Company adopted the new standard on January 1, 2019, and elected not to restate comparative periods. Upon adoption, the Company concluded no adjustment was required to the opening balance of retained earnings to reflect the impact of adopting the new

standard. In addition, the Company recorded right of use assets of $2,709 and lease liabilities of $3,792 and reversed the previously recorded deferred rent liability of $1,083. See Note 11 for further information.

Accounting Pronouncements Issued But Not Yet Adopted

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (ASC 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments,” which amends the guidance on the impairment of financial instruments. The amendments in this update removes the thresholds that entities apply to measure credit losses on financial instruments measured at amortized cost, such as loans, trade receivables, reinsurance recoverables, off-balance-sheet credit exposures, and held-to-maturity securities. Under current U.S. GAAP, entities generally recognize credit losses when it is probable that the loss has been incurred. The guidance removes all current recognition thresholds and introduces the new current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model which will require entities to recognize an allowance for credit losses for the difference between the amortized cost basis of a financial instrument and the amount of amortized cost that an entity expects to collect over the instrument’s contractual life. The new CECL model is based upon expected losses rather than incurred losses. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2022. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance on its financial condition, results of operations and disclosures.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU No. 2019-12, “Income Taxes (ASC 740) Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes,” that removes certain exceptions to the general principles and also improves consistent application of and simplifies U.S. GAAP. The amendments in this update are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2020. Early adoption is permitted. The Company does not expect the impact of the adoption of this standard to have a material impact on its financial condition, results of operations and disclosures.

2. Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments, which include cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and other accrued liabilities, approximate their carrying values due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The Company’s marketable securities are classified as held-to-maturity and are reported at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

The Company’s fair value hierarchy for its cash equivalents and marketable securities was as follows:

March 31, 2020	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Money market securities	$	5,016	$	—	$	—	$	5,016
Commercial paper		—		20,066		—		20,066
Corporate notes		—		5,043		—		5,043
Total	$	5,016	$	25,109	$	—	$	30,125

December 31, 2019	Level 1		Level 2		Level 3		Total
Money market securities	$	746	$	—	$	—	$	746
Commercial paper		—		25,481		—		25,481
Corporate notes		—		5,773		—		5,773
U.S. treasuries		—		4,040		—		4,040
Total	$	746	$	35,294	$	—	$	36,040

The fair value maturities of the Company’s cash equivalents and marketable securities as of March 31, 2020, are as follows:

Maturities by Period

Total

Less than

1 year

1-5

years

5 - 10

years

More than

10 years

Cash equivalents and marketable securities

30,125

—

The Company considers all highly liquid marketable securities with original maturities of 90 days or less at the date of acquisition to be cash equivalents. Cash equivalents include money market funds and commercial paper totaling $9,805 and $10,436 at March 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019, respectively. Cash equivalents are carried at either cost or amortized cost, depending on the type of security, which approximates fair value.

3. Revenue Recognition

The Company derives its revenue primarily from software development services and software subscriptions. Applicable revenue recognition criteria are considered separately for each performance obligation as follows:

•

Service revenue consists primarily of revenue earned from the performance of software development services. The majority of service contracts are structured as time and materials agreements. Revenue for services is recognized as the services are performed. Billing for services rendered generally occurs within one month after the services are provided.

•

Subscription revenue consists primarily of revenue earned from the sale of software products and to a lesser extent the licensing of intellectual property. The majority of subscription contracts are recurring, paid in advance and recognized over the term of the subscription, which is typically one to three years.

Customer arrangements may contain multiple performance obligations such as software development services, software licenses, and maintenance and support fees. The Company accounts for individual products and services separately if they are distinct. To determine the transaction price, the Company considers the terms of the contract and the Company’s customary business practices. Some contracts may contain variable consideration. In those cases, the Company estimates the amount of variable consideration based on the sum of probability-weighted amounts in a range of possible consideration amounts. As part of this assessment, the Company will evaluate whether any of the variable consideration is constrained and if it is the Company will not include it in the transaction price. The consideration is allocated between distinct products and services based on their stand-alone selling prices. For items that are not sold separately, the Company estimates the standalone selling price based on reasonably available information, including market conditions, specific factors affecting the Company, and information about the customer. For distinct products and services, the Company typically recognizes the revenue associated with these performance obligations as they are delivered to the customer. Products and services that are not capable of being distinct are combined with other products or services until a distinct performance obligation is identified. The revenue associated with this performance obligation is typically recognized over the term of the contract as the customer simultaneously receives and consumes the products and services.

All revenue recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations is considered to be revenue from contracts with customers.

The following table provides information about disaggregated revenue by major market category in the Company’s single reporting segment:

	Three		Three
	Months		Months
	Ended		Ended
	March 31,		March 31,
	2020		2019
Government
Service	$	3,652	$	3,634
Subscription		391		428
Total Government	$	4,043	$	4,062
Retail
Service	$	86	$	180
Subscription		1,175		564
Total Retail	$	1,261	$	744
Media
Service	$	—	$	—
Subscription		885		854
Total Media	$	885	$	854

Total	$	6,189	$	5,660

The Company has contract assets from contracts with customers that are classified as “trade accounts receivable.” Financial information about trade accounts receivable is included in Note 8.

The Company has contract liabilities from contracts with customers that are classified as “deferred revenue.” Deferred revenue consists of billings in advance for services and subscriptions for which the performance obligation has not been satisfied.

The following table provides information about contract liabilities from contracts with customers:

	March 31,		December 31,
	2020		2019
Deferred revenue, current	$	3,015	$	3,172
Deferred revenue, long-term		70		59
Total	$	3,085	$	3,231

The Company recognized $1,374 of revenue during the three months ended March 31, 2020 that was included in the contract liability balance as of December 31, 2019.

The aggregate amount of transaction prices from contractual obligations that are unsatisfied or partially unsatisfied was $17,454 and $17,759 as of March 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively.

4. Segment Information

Geographic Information

The Company derives its revenue from a single reporting segment: automatic identification solutions. Revenue is generated in this segment primarily through software development services and software subscriptions. The Company markets its products in the U.S. and in non-U.S. countries through its sales personnel and partners.

Revenue by geographic area, based upon the “bill-to” location, was as follows:

	Three		Three
	Months		Months
	Ended		Ended
	March 31,		March 31,
	2020		2019
Domestic	$	1,759	$	1,317
International (1)		4,430		4,343
Total	$	6,189	$	5,660

(1)	Revenue from the Central Banks, consisting of a consortium of central banks around the world, is classified as international revenue. Reporting revenue by country for this customer is not practicable.

Major Customers

The following customers accounted for 10% or more of revenue:

	Three			Three
	Months			Months
	Ended			Ended
	March 31,			March 31,
	2020			2019
Central Banks		64	%		68	%
Walmart		12	%	*

* Less than 10%

Long-Lived Assets by Geographical Area

The Company’s long-lived assets are all domiciled in the U.S.

5. Stock-Based Compensation

Stock-based compensation includes expense charges for all stock-based awards to employees and directors. These awards include stock option grants and restricted stock awards.

Stock-based compensation expense related to internal labor is capitalized to software and patent costs based on direct labor hours charged to capitalized software and patent costs.

Determining Fair Value

Stock Options

Valuation and Amortization Method. The Company estimates the fair value of stock options on the date of grant (measurement date) using the Black-Scholes option valuation model. The Company amortizes the fair value of stock option awards on a straight-line basis over the vesting period of the award.

Expected Life. The expected life of awards granted represents the period of time that they are expected to be outstanding. The Company determines the expected life based on historical experience with similar awards, giving consideration to the contractual terms and vesting schedules of the awards. Stock options granted generally vest over three years and have contractual terms of ten years.

Expected Volatility. The Company estimates the volatility of its common stock at the date of grant based on the historical volatility of its common stock based on historical prices over the most recent period commensurate with the expected life of the award.

Risk-Free Interest Rate. The Company determines the risk-free interest rate using current U.S. treasury yields for bonds with a maturity commensurate with the expected life of the award.

Expected Dividend Yield. The expected dividend yield is derived by the Company’s expected annual dividend rate over the expected term divided by the fair value of the Company’s common stock at the grant date.

There were no stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.

Restricted Stock

The fair value of restricted stock awarded is based on the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of the grant (measurement date) and is recognized over the vesting period of the award using the straight-line method. Restricted stock awards granted generally vest over three to four years for employee grants and one to three years for director grants.

Stock-Based Compensation

	Three		Three
	Months		Months
	Ended		Ended
	March 31,		March 31,
	2020		2019
Stock-based compensation:
Cost of revenue	$	190	$	182
Sales and marketing		479		519
Research, development and engineering		399		354
General and administrative		1,127		982
Stock-based compensation expense		2,195		2,037
Capitalized to software and patent costs		35		41
Total stock-based compensation	$	2,230	$	2,078

The following table sets forth total unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock-based awards granted under all equity compensation plans:

	As of		As of
	March 31,		December 31,
	2020		2019
Total unrecognized compensation costs	$	17,641	$	13,535

Total unrecognized compensation costs will be adjusted for any future forfeitures if and when they occur.

The Company expects to recognize the total unrecognized compensation costs as of March 31, 2020, for stock options and restricted stock over weighted average periods through March 31, 2024, as follows:

	Stock	Restricted
	Options	Stock
Weighted average period	1.03 years	1.57 years

As of March 31, 2020, under all of the Company’s stock-based compensation plans, equity awards to purchase an additional 1,098 shares were authorized for future grants under the plans. The Company issues new shares upon option exercises.

Stock Option Activity

The Company issues new shares upon option exercises.

The following table reconciles the outstanding balance of stock options:

				Weighted		Weighted
				Average		Average		Aggregate
				Exercise		Grant Date		Intrinsic
Three months ended March 31, 2020:	Options			Price		Fair Value		Value
Outstanding at December 31, 2019		558		$	31.22	$	14.03
Granted		—			—		—
Exercised		(8	)		18.01		8.85
Forfeited or expired		—			—		—
Outstanding at March 31, 2020		550		$	31.40	$	14.10	$	—
Exercisable at March 31, 2020		383		$	29.95			$	—
Unvested at March 31, 2020		167		$	34.73			$	—

The aggregate intrinsic value is based on the closing price of $13.05 per share of Digimarc common stock on March 31, 2020, which would have been received by the optionees had all of the options with exercise prices less than $13.05 per share been exercised on that date.

Restricted Stock Activity

The following table reconciles the unvested balance of restricted stock:

				Weighted
				Average
	Number of			Grant Date
Three months ended March 31, 2020:	Shares			Fair Value
Unvested balance, December 31, 2019		435		$	27.05
Granted		186		$	34.05
Vested		(55	)	$	27.50
Forfeited		—		$	—
Unvested balance, March 31, 2020		566		$	29.31

The following table indicates the fair value of all restricted stock awards that vested:

	Three		Three
	Months		Months
	Ended		Ended
	March 31,		March 31,
	2020		2019
Fair value of restricted stock awards vested	$	1,811	$	1,240

6. Shareholders’ Equity

In May 2019, the Company entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement, whereby the Company may sell from time to time through Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as its sales agent, the Company’s common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $30,000. For the three months ended March 31, 2020, the Company sold 28 shares at an average price of $21.92 under this Equity Distribution Agreement totaling $611 of cash proceeds, less $14 of commissions and $23 of stock issuance costs, for net cash proceeds of $574.

7. Earnings Per Common Share

The Company calculates basic and diluted earnings per common share in accordance with ASC 260 “Earnings Per Share,” using the two-class method because the Company’s unvested restricted stock is a participating security since these awards contain non-forfeitable rights to receive dividends. Under the two-class method, earnings are allocated to each class of common stock and participating security as if all of the earnings for the period had been distributed.

Basic earnings per common share excludes dilution and is calculated by dividing earnings to common shares by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per common share is calculated by dividing earnings to common shares by the weighted-average number of common shares, as adjusted for the potentially dilutive effect of stock options. The dilutive effect of stock options is determined using the treasury stock method.

The following table reconciles earnings (loss) per common share:

	Three			Three
	Months			Months
	Ended			Ended
	March 31,			March 31,
	2020			2019
Basic Earnings (Loss) per Common Share:
Loss to common shares — basic	$	(8,908	)	$	(8,463	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding — basic		12,037			11,487
Basic earnings (loss) per common share	$	(0.74	)	$	(0.74	)

Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Common Share:
Loss to common shares — diluted	$	(8,908	)	$	(8,463	)
Weighted average common shares outstanding — diluted		12,037			11,487
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	$	(0.74	)	$	(0.74	)

The following table indicates the common stock equivalents related to stock options that were anti-dilutive and excluded from diluted earnings per common share calculations:

	Three		Three
	Months		Months
	Ended		Ended
	March 31,		March 31,
	2020		2019
Anti-dilutive shares due to:
Exercise prices higher than the average market price		550		475
Net loss		—		—

8. Trade Accounts Receivable

Trade Accounts Receivable

Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount.

	March 31,			December 31,
	2020			2019
Trade accounts receivable	$	3,984		$	4,036
Allowance for doubtful accounts		(25	)		(15	)
Trade accounts receivable, net	$	3,959		$	4,021
Unpaid deferred revenue included in trade accounts receivable	$	909		$	2,015

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses in the Company’s existing trade accounts receivable. The Company determines the allowance based on historical write-off experience and current information. The Company reviews its allowance for doubtful accounts each reporting period. Account balances are charged against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.

Unpaid Deferred Revenue

The unpaid deferred revenue that is included in trade accounts receivable is billed in accordance with the provisions of the contracts with the Company’s customers.

Major Customers

The following customers accounted for 10% or more of trade accounts receivable, net:

	March 31,			December 31,
	2020			2019
Central Banks		66	%		69	%

9. Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Repairs and maintenance are charged to expense when incurred.

Depreciation on property and equipment is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets, generally two to ten years. Leasehold improvements are amortized using the straight-line method over the shorter of the estimated useful life or the lease term.

	March 31,			December 31,
	2020			2019
Office furniture and fixtures	$	1,650		$	1,650
Software		4,530			4,379
Equipment		5,133			5,041
Leasehold improvements		1,721			1,721
Gross property and equipment		13,034			12,791
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(9,495	)		(9,141	)
Property and equipment, net	$	3,539		$	3,650

10. Intangibles

Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. No impairment charges were recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.

Patent costs associated with the application and award of patents in the U.S. and various other countries are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the patents as determined at the award date, which varies depending on the pendency period of the application, generally approximating 17 years.

Amortization of intangible assets acquired is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

	Estimated Life	March 31,			December 31,
	(years)	2020			2019
Capitalized patent costs	17-20	$	9,341		$	9,245
Intangible assets acquired:
Purchased patents and intellectual property	3-10		250			250
Existing technology	5		1,560			1,560
Customer relationships	7		290			290
Backlog	2		760			760
Tradenames	3		290			290
Non-solicitation agreements	1		120			120
Gross intangible assets			12,611			12,515
Accumulated amortization			(5,982	)		(5,845	)
Intangibles, net		$	6,629		$	6,670

11. Leases

The Company adopted ASC 842, “Leases,” as amended, as of January 1, 2019, using the retrospective approach. The retrospective approach provides a method for recording existing leases at adoption and recording the cumulative effect of initially applying the new standard as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings. In addition, the Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard, which allowed the Company to carry forward the historical lease classification, its assessment of whether a contract was or contains a lease, and its initial direct costs for any leases that existed prior to January 1, 2019. In addition, the Company elected the short-term lease exception as a practical expedient and elected to combine lease and non-lease components.

The Company leases its corporate office in Beaverton, Oregon. In July 2015, the Company entered into an amendment with the landlord of its corporate office to extend the lease term through March 2024, with remaining rent payments as of March 31, 2020, totaling $3,291, payable in monthly installments. The Company had leased office space in San Mateo, California, until March 31, 2020, when the lease expired.

All of the Company’s leases are operating leases. The following table provides additional details of leases presented in the consolidated balance sheets:

	March 31,			December 31,
	2020			2019
Right of use assets	$	2,146		$	2,263
Lease liabilities, current	$	624		$	663
Lease liabilities, long-term	$	2,276		$	2,435

Weighted-average remaining life	4.0 years			4.1 years
Weighted-average discount rate		8.20	%		8.20	%

The carrying value of the right of use assets is included in “Other assets” and the current and long-term lease liabilities are included in “Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities” and “Lease liability and other long-term liabilities,” respectively, in the consolidated balance sheets.

Operating lease expense is included in cost of revenue and operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and in cash flows from operating activities on the consolidated statements of cash flows. The operating leases include variable lease costs which are not material and are included in operating lease costs. Additional details of the Company’s operating leases are presented in the following table:

	Three		Three
	Months		Months
	Year Ended		Ended
	March 31,		March 31,
	2020		2019
Operating lease expense	$	263	$	261
Cash paid for operating leases	$	327	$	372

The table below reconciles the cash payment obligations for the first five years and total of the remaining years for the operating lease liability recorded in the consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2020:

	Cash
	Payment
Year ending December 31:	Obligations
Remaining in 2020	$	631
2021		838
2022		862
2023		867
2024		218
Thereafter		—
Total lease payments		3,416
Imputed interest		(516	)
Total minimum lease payments	$	2,900

12. Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 reflects current taxes, deferred taxes, and withholding taxes. The effective tax rate for each of the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was 0%. The valuation allowance against net deferred tax assets as of March 31, 2020, was $50,145, an increase of $2,336 from $47,809 as of December 31, 2019.

Excess tax benefits of $255 and $191 were recognized in the provision for income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively, which were offset by $255 and $191 of valuation allowance, respectively.

13. Commitments and Contingencies

Certain of the Company’s contracts include an indemnification provision for claims from third parties relating to the Company’s intellectual property. Such indemnification provisions are accounted for in accordance with ASC 450 “Contingencies.” To date, there have been no claims made under such indemnification provisions.

The Company is subject from time to time to other legal proceedings and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. At this time, the Company does not believe that the resolution of any such matters will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

14. Subsequent Events

Loan under the Paycheck Protection Program

On April 16, 2020, the Company entered into a loan with Stearns Bank, N.A. in an aggregate principal amount of $5,032 (the “Loan”), pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”).

The Loan is evidenced by a promissory note (the “Note”) dated April 16, 2020, which is attached as Exhibit 10.1 to this Form 10-Q. The Loan matures two years from the disbursement date and bears interest at a rate of 1.000% per annum, with the first six months of interest deferred. Principal and interest are payable monthly commencing six months after the disbursement date and may be prepaid by the Company at any time prior to maturity with no prepayment penalties.

Under the terms of the CARES Act, PPP loan recipients can apply for and be granted forgiveness for all or a portion of loans granted under the PPP. The Loan is subject to forgiveness to the extent proceeds are used for payroll costs, including payments required to continue group health care benefits, and certain rent, utility, and mortgage interest expenses (collectively, “Qualifying Expenses”), pursuant to the terms and limitations of the PPP. The Company intends to use a significant majority of the Loan amount for Qualifying Expenses. However, no assurance is provided that the Company will obtain forgiveness of the Loan in whole or in part.

Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contains forward-looking statements relating to future events or the future financial performance of Digimarc that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements. See the discussion regarding forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q under the caption “Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.”

The following discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Readers are also urged to carefully review and consider the disclosures made in Part II, Item 1A (Risk Factors) of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 filed on February 27, 2020 (our “2019 Annual Report”), and other reports and filings we have made with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).

Unless the context otherwise requires, references in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to “Company,” “Digimarc,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to Digimarc Corporation.

All dollar amounts are in thousands except per share amounts or unless otherwise noted. The percentages within the tables may not sum to 100% due to rounding.

Digimarc, Digimarc Barcode and Digimarc Discover are registered trademarks of Digimarc Corporation.

Overview

Digimarc Corporation, an Oregon corporation incorporated in 2008, enables governments, banks, retailers, consumer brands, and other businesses around the world to automatically and reliably identify and interact with virtually any form of media. We have pioneered the Digimarc Platform, featuring three core functions for the identification, discovery and verification of digitally enhanced media. Digimarc provides objects with an indelible, imperceptible data carrier: Digimarc Barcode. Data in the carrier uniquely identifies the object. The Digimarc Platform also provides software for relevant devices to “discover” objects (i.e., decode data from that carrier) using Digimarc software, known as Digimarc Discover. Digimarc Verify, a suite of verification and quality control tools, assesses signal quality and validates data at critical stages of production when the Digimarc Barcode is applied to an object. Together, these core functions enable organizations, application developers, and other solution providers to build new features, functionality and additional value on the Digimarc Platform.

The Digimarc Platform provides many benefits for connected objects, including:

•

Security: An imperceptible and indestructible digital watermark encoded in the object provides a singularly unique identification, whether in a digital image, video or audio file, on paper or cardboard or etched within material substrates such as plastic and other materials. Among other things, this identification supports strong authentication.

•

Protection: A unique identifier (“ID”) enables fraud deterrence across many use cases, from preventing “barcode swapping” and counterfeiting of currency, media and goods to copyright detection of digital images and e-publications.

•

Traceability: The ID can carry serial numbers for easier tracking of individual items or entire lots. This has many uses, from ensuring product legitimacy to preventing product pirating to easily identifying products for recall based on source provenance and sales destination.

•

Sustainability: The ID can contain information specific to packaging content as an aid to broader and more efficient recycling. For example, a microscopic pattern embossed in plastic packaging can identify the materials used and their composition as an aid for sorting and recapture. Similarly, enhanced labels for fresh foods can be used to dynamically adjust pricing and thereby reduce food waste.

•

Engagement: Consumers can directly interact with enhanced objects simply by scanning the item with their smartphones. Brands can share additional product information online including recipes, instructions, information about ingredients and sources, how-to videos, coupons and more.

•

Efficiency: Connected items, reliably scanned by machines and mobile devices, enhance supply chain efficiencies, from parts matching in manufacturing to faster and more accurate inventory scanning and faster and easier front-of-store checkout experiences.

Our inventions allow our business partners and customers to provide persistent digital identities for virtually any media content that is digitally processed at some point during its lifecycle. Our technology can be applied to images, video, and audio to supply a wide range of consumer engagement, media management and security solutions across multiple consumer and government industry sectors. Over the years our enabling software and business processes, and associated intellectual property portfolio, have grown to encompass many related technologies.

We provide our solutions directly and through our business partners. Our inventions provide a powerful element of document security, giving rise to a long-term relationship with a consortium of central banks (the “Central Banks”), and many leading companies in the information technology industry. We and our business partners have successfully propagated the use of our technology in music, movies, television broadcasts, digital images, e-publications and printed materials. Digimarc Barcodes have been used in these applications to improve media rights and asset management, reduce piracy and counterfeiting losses, improve marketing programs, permit more efficient and effective distribution of valuable media content and enhance consumer entertainment and commercial experiences.

Digimarc Barcodes can be used to enhance all forms of media and are generally imperceptible to human senses, but quickly detected by computers, networks or other digital devices like smartphones and tablets. Unlike traditional barcodes and tags, our solution does not require content owners to give up valuable visual space on their media content; nor does it affect the overall layout or aesthetics of their media content. Digimarc Barcodes are generally imperceptible in normal use and do all that visible barcodes do, but perform better. Our Digimarc Discover platform delivers a range of rich media experiences to its readers on their smartphones or tablets across multiple media formats, including print, audio and video. Unique to Digimarc Discover is its seamless multi-modal use of various content identification technologies as needed, including Digimarc Barcode when present.

Banknote counterfeit deterrence was the first commercially successful large-scale use of our technologies. Innovations based on our existing technology and experience have been leveraged to create new products to deter counterfeiting and tampering of driver licenses and other government-issued secure credentials. In parallel, our business partners, under patent or technology licenses from us, are delivering solutions to track and monitor the distribution of music, images, television and movies to consumers.

In April 2019, Digimarc pledged a commitment to improve the reliability and efficiency of plastic waste sorting. Most notably, Digimarc signed the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s New Plastics Economy Global Commitment, which focuses on building a Circular Economy for plastics. Digimarc participated in the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Pioneer Project HolyGrail, where Digimarc Barcode was shown in testing to overcome many current limitations in plastic sorting technology. Digimarc Barcode proved effective in technical trials at more accurately identifying recyclable plastics, which could prevent their unnecessary disposal into landfills or incinerators.

In September 2019, Digimarc announced expanded capabilities of the Digimarc Platform with several leading brands employing Digimarc Barcode for packaging and Digimarc Discover software in high-speed inspection systems to catch mislabeling problems before products ship to consumers. Digimarc Barcode provides data redundancy on product packaging without marring the appearance of the design. Consumer brands that use Digimarc Barcode for packaging, combined with high-speed inspection system scanning equipment from Cognex or Datalogic, can improve matching of front and back labels, cartons and lids, and other multi-component packages.

In November 2019, Digimarc delivered scan technology to Walmart’s Toy Catalog, making it easier than ever for customers to buy gifts or create wish lists for family and friends using the Walmart app. The Scan & Shop powered by Digimarc was prominently promoted in 35 million printed catalogs that were direct mailed as well as available in Walmart’s nearly 4,800 U.S. stores.

Our intellectual property contains many innovations in digital watermarking, content recognition (sometimes referred to as “fingerprinting”), digital rights management and related fields. To protect our inventions, we have implemented an extensive intellectual property protection program that relies on a combination of patent, copyright, trademark and trade secret laws, and nondisclosure agreements and other contracts. As a result, we believe we have one of the world’s most extensive patent portfolios in digital watermarking and related fields, with over 1,100 U.S. and foreign patents granted and applications pending as of March 31, 2020. We continue to develop and broaden our portfolio in the fields of automatic identification and management technology and related applications and systems. We devote significant resources to developing and protecting our inventions and continuously seek to identify and evaluate potential licensees for our patents. The patents in our portfolio each have a life of approximately 20 years from the effective filing date of the patent, and up to 17 years after the patent has been granted.

The market for patent licensing has become more challenging in recent years. As a result, we have shifted our focus from direct monetization through enforcement and licensing to facilitating progress toward the realization of our vision to enrich everyday living via pervasive, intuitive computing by:

•

encouraging large scale adoption of our technologies by industry leaders;

•

increasing the scale and rate of growth of our products and services business; and

•

laying a foundation for continuing innovation.

For a discussion of activities and costs related to our research and development, see “Results of Operations – Summary – Research, development and engineering.”

COVID-19 Pandemic

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may pose significant risks to our business. The ongoing public health actions attempting to reduce the spread of COVID-19 are creating and may continue to create significant disruptions to consumer demand, customer and supplier relationships, sales and support processes, and general economic conditions. Accordingly, Company management is evaluating the Company’s business operations, communicating with and monitoring the actions of our customers and partners, and reviewing our near-term financial performance as we manage the Company through the uncertainty related to COVID-19 pandemic. We expect that some of our projects with retail customers and partners may be delayed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Delays in these projects could affect our ability to fund our business through near-term revenue growth. To help ensure adequate liquidity during this period and in light of uncertainties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company applied for and has received a loan under the U.S. government Paycheck Protection Program.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Detailed information about our critical accounting policies and estimates is set forth in Part III, Item 15 of our 2019 Annual Report (“Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules”), in “Note 1: Description of Business and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies,” which is incorporated by reference into this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Results of Operations

The following table presents statements of operations data for the periods indicated as a percentage of total revenue. Unless otherwise indicated, all references in this Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations relate to the three month period ended March 31, 2020, and all changes discussed with respect to such periods reflect changes compared to the three month period ended March 31, 2019.

	Three			Three
	Months			Months
	Ended			Ended
	March 31,			March 31,
	2020			2019
	Percentages are percent of total revenue
Revenue:
Service		60	%		67	%
Subscription		40			33
Total revenue		100			100
Cost of revenue:
Service		27			29
Subscription		8			9
Total cost of revenue		36			38
Gross profit		64			62
Operating expenses:
Sales and marketing		85			87
Research, development and engineering		72			71
General and administrative		54			57
Total operating expenses		211			216
Operating loss		(146	)		(153	)
Other income, net		2			4
Loss before income taxes		(144	)		(149	)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes		0			(0	)
Net loss		(144	%)		(150	%)

Summary

Total revenue for the three month period ended March 31, 2020 increased 9% to $6.2 million, compared to the corresponding three month period ended March 31, 2019, primarily as a result of higher subscription revenue from Retail customers.

Total operating expenses for the three month period ended March 31, 2020 increased 7% to $13.0 million, compared to the corresponding three month period ended March 31, 2019, primarily due to higher headcount and routine annual compensation adjustments for our employees.

Revenue

	Three			Three
	Months			Months
	Ended			Ended			Dollar			Percent
	March 31,			March 31,			Increase			Increase
	2020			2019			(Decrease)			(Decrease)
Revenue:
Service	$	3,738		$	3,814		$	(76	)		(2	)%
Subscription		2,451			1,846			605			33	%
Total	$	6,189		$	5,660		$	529			9	%
Revenue (as % of total revenue):
Service		60	%		67	%
Subscription		40	%		33	%
Total		100	%		100	%

Service. Service revenue consists primarily of revenue earned from the performance of software development services. The majority of service contracts are structured as time and materials agreements. Revenue for services is recognized as the services are performed. Billing for services rendered generally occurs within one month after the services are provided. Service contracts can range from days to several years in length. Our long-term contract with the Central Banks, which accounts for the majority of service revenue, is subject to work plans that are reviewed and agreed upon quarterly. The contract provides for predetermined billing rates, which are adjusted annually to account for cost of living variables, and provides for the reimbursement of third party costs incurred to support the work plans.

The decrease in service revenue for the three month period ended March 31, 2020, compared to the corresponding three month period ended March 31, 2019, was insignificant.

Subscription. Subscription revenue consists primarily of revenue earned from the sale of software products and to a lesser extent the licensing of intellectual property. The majority of subscription contracts are recurring, paid in advance and recognized over the term of the subscription, which is typically one to three years.

The increase in subscription revenue for the three month period ended March 31, 2020, compared to the corresponding three month period ended March 31, 2019, was due to growth in software subscriptions to Retail customers.

Revenue by Geography

	Three			Three
	Months			Months
	Ended			Ended			Dollar		Percent
	March 31,			March 31,			Increase		Increase
	2020			2019			(Decrease)		(Decrease)
Revenue by geography:
Domestic	$	1,759		$	1,317		$	442		34	%
International		4,430			4,343			87		2	%
Total	$	6,189		$	5,660		$	529		9	%
Revenue (as % of total revenue):
Domestic		28	%		23	%
International		72	%		77	%
Total		100	%		100	%

The increase in domestic revenue for the three month period ended March 31, 2020, compared to the corresponding three month period ended March 31, 2019, was primarily due to higher subscription revenue, partially offset by lower service revenue, from our domestic customers.

The increase in international revenue for the three month period ended March 31, 2020, compared to the corresponding three month period ended March 31, 2019, was insignificant.

Cost of Revenue

Service. Cost of service revenue primarily includes:

•

compensation, benefits, incentive compensation in the form of stock-based compensation and related costs of our software developers, quality assurance personnel, design professionals, product managers, business development managers and other personnel where we bill our customers for time and materials costs;

•

payments to outside contractors that are billed to customers;

•

charges for equipment directly used by customers;

•

depreciation for machinery, equipment and software directly used by customers; and

•

travel costs directly attributable to software development contracts.

Subscription. Cost of subscription revenue primarily includes:

•

cost of outside contractors that provide operational support for our subscription products;

•

Internet service provider connectivity charges and image search data fees to support our subscription products; and

•

amortization of capitalized patent costs and patent maintenance fees.

Gross Profit

	Three			Three
	Months			Months
	Ended			Ended			Dollar			Percent
	March 31,			March 31,			Increase			Increase
	2020			2019			(Decrease)			(Decrease)
Gross Profit:
Service	$	2,054		$	2,169		$	(115	)		(5	)%
Subscription		1,937			1,357			580			43	%
Total	$	3,991		$	3,526		$	465			13	%
Gross Profit (as % of related revenue components):
Service		55	%		57	%
Subscription		79	%		74	%
Total		64	%		62	%

The increase in total gross profit for the three month period ended March 31, 2020, compared to the corresponding three month period ended March 31, 2019, was primarily due to higher subscription revenue.

The decrease in service gross profit as a percentage of service revenue for the three month period ended March 31, 2020, compared to the corresponding three month period ended March 31, 2019, was primarily due to the mix of labor versus non-labor costs.

The increase in subscription gross profit as a percentage of subscription revenue for the three month period ended March 31, 2020, compared to the corresponding three month period ended March 31, 2019, was primarily due to higher subscription revenue.

Operating Expenses

Sales and marketing

	Three			Three
	Months			Months
	Ended			Ended			Dollar		Percent
	March 31,			March 31,			Increase		Increase
	2020			2019			(Decrease)		(Decrease)
Sales and marketing	$	5,246		$	4,950		$	296		6	%
Sales and marketing (as % of total revenue)		85	%		87	%

Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of:

•

compensation, benefits, incentive compensation in the form of stock-based compensation and related costs of sales and marketing employees and product managers;

•

travel and market research costs, and costs associated with marketing programs, such as trade shows, public relations and new product launches;

•

professional services and outside contractor costs for product and marketing initiatives; and

•

charges for infrastructure and centralized costs of facilities and information technology.

The increase in sales and marketing expenses for the three month period ended March 31, 2020, compared to the corresponding three month period ended March 31, 2019, was primarily due to increased headcount and routine annual compensation adjustments for our employees.

Research, development and engineering

	Three			Three
	Months			Months
	Ended			Ended			Dollar		Percent
	March 31,			March 31,			Increase		Increase
	2020			2019			(Decrease)		(Decrease)
Research, development and engineering	$	4,433		$	4,038		$	395		10	%
Research, development and engineering (as % of total revenue)		72	%		71	%

Research, development and engineering expenses consist primarily of:

•

compensation, benefits, incentive compensation in the form of stock-based compensation and related costs of software and hardware developers and quality assurance personnel;

•

payments to outside contractors;

•

the purchase of materials and services for product development; and

•

charges for infrastructure and centralized costs of facilities and information technology.

The increase in research, development and engineering expenses for the three month period ended March 31, 2020, compared to the corresponding three month period ended March 31, 2019, was primarily due to increased headcount and routine annual compensation adjustments for our employees.

General and administrative

	Three			Three
	Months			Months
	Ended			Ended			Dollar		Percent
	March 31,			March 31,			Increase		Increase
	2020			2019			(Decrease)		(Decrease)
General and administrative	$	3,367		$	3,210		$	157		5	%
General and administrative (as % of total revenue)		54	%		57	%

We incur general and administrative costs in the functional areas of finance, legal, human resources, intellectual property, executive and board of directors. Costs for facilities and information technology are also managed as part of the general and administrative processes and are allocated to this area as well as each of the areas in cost of revenue, sales and marketing and research, development and engineering.

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of:

•

compensation, benefits and incentive compensation in the form of stock-based compensation and related costs of general and administrative personnel;

•

third party and professional fees associated with legal, accounting and human resources functions;

•

costs associated with being a public company;

•

third party costs, including filing and governmental regulatory fees and fees for outside legal counsel and translation costs, related to the filing and maintenance of our intellectual property;

•

charges to write off previously capitalized patent costs for patent assets we abandon; and

•

charges for infrastructure and centralized costs of facilities and information technology.

The increase in general and administrative expenses for the three month period ended March 31, 2020, compared to the corresponding three month period ended March 31, 2019, was primarily due to increased headcount and routine annual compensation adjustments for our employees.

Stock-based compensation

	Three		Three
	Months		Months
	Ended		Ended		Dollar			Percent
	March 31,		March 31,		Increase			Increase
	2020		2019		(Decrease)			(Decrease)
Cost of revenue	$	190	$	182	$	8			4	%
Sales and marketing		479		519		(40	)		(8	)%
Research, development and engineering		399		354		45			13	%
General and administrative		1,127		982		145			15	%
Total	$	2,195	$	2,037	$	158			8	%

The changes in stock-based compensation expense for the three month period ended March 31, 2020, compared to the corresponding three month period ended March 31, 2019, were primarily due to more stock awards granted in the current year than prior years.

We anticipate incurring an additional $17,641 in stock-based compensation expense through March 31, 2024, for awards outstanding as of March 31, 2020.

Other income, net

	Three			Three
	Months			Months
	Ended			Ended			Dollar			Percent
	March 31,			March 31,			Increase			Increase
	2020			2019			(Decrease)			(Decrease)
Other income, net	$	142		$	237		$	(95	)		(40	)%
Other income, net (as % of total revenue)		2	%		4	%

The decrease in other income, net for the three month period ended March 31, 2020, compared to the corresponding three month period ended March 31, 2019, was primarily due to lower interest income as a result of lower interest rates and lower investment balances.

Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes reflects current taxes, deferred taxes, and withholding taxes. The effective tax rate for each of the three month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019 was 0% because we have a full valuation allowance recorded against our deferred tax assets.

The valuation allowance against deferred tax assets as of March 31, 2020, was $50,145, an increase of $2,336 from $47,809 as of December 31, 2019.

We continually assess the applicability of a valuation allowance against our deferred tax assets. Based upon the positive and negative evidence available as of March 31, 2020, and largely due to the cumulative loss incurred by us over the last several years, which is considered a significant piece of negative evidence when assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, a full valuation allowance is recorded against our deferred tax assets. We will not record tax benefits on any future losses until it is determined that those tax benefits will be realized. All future reversals of the valuation allowance would result in a tax benefit in the period recognized.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

	March 31,		December 31,
	2020		2019
Working capital	$	31,283	$	37,850
Current ratio (1)	6.8:1		8.0:1
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term marketable securities	$	30,570	$	36,817
Long-term marketable securities	$	—	$	—
Total cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities	$	30,570	$	36,817

(1)	The current (liquidity) ratio is calculated by dividing total current assets by total current liabilities.

The $6,247 decrease in cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities at March 31, 2020, from December 31, 2019, resulted primarily from:

•

cash used in operations;

•

purchases of common stock related to tax withholding in connection with the vesting of restricted stock; and

•

purchases of property and equipment and capitalized patent costs; partially offset by

•

net proceeds from the issuance of common stock; and

•

proceeds from stock option exercises.

Financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities, and trade accounts receivable. We place our cash and cash equivalents with major banks and financial institutions and at times deposits may exceed insured limits. Marketable securities primarily include commercial paper and corporate notes. Our investment policy requires our portfolio to be invested to ensure that the greater of $3,000 or 7% of the invested funds will be available within 30 days’ notice.

Other than cash used for operating needs, which may include short-term marketable securities, our investment policy limits our credit exposure to any one financial institution or type of financial instrument by limiting the maximum of 5% of our cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities or $1,000, whichever is greater, to be invested in any one issuer except for the U.S. government, U.S. federal agencies and U.S. backed securities, which have no limits, at the time of purchase. Our investment policy also limits our credit exposure by limiting to a maximum of 40% of our cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities, or $15,000, whichever is greater, to be invested in any one industry category (e.g., financial or energy industries) at the time of purchase. As a result, we believe our credit risk associated with cash and investments to be minimal. A decline in the market value of any security below cost that is deemed to be other-than-temporary results in a reduction in carrying amount to fair value. To determine whether an impairment is other-than-temporary, we consider whether we have the ability and intent to hold the investment until a market price recovery and evidence indicating that the cost of the investment is recoverable outweighs evidence to the contrary. There have been no other-than-temporary impairments identified or recorded by us in the three month periods ended March 31, 2020 and 2019.

Operating Cash Flow

The components of operating cash flows were:

	Three			Three
	Months			Months
	Ended			Ended			Dollar			Percent
	March 31,			March 31,			Increase			Increase
	2020			2019			(Decrease)			(Decrease)
Net loss	$	(8,908	)	$	(8,463	)	$	(445	)		(5	)%
Non-cash items		2,770			2,574			196			8	%
Changes in operating assets and liabilities		292			435			(143	)		(33	)%
Net cash used in operating activities	$	(5,846	)	$	(5,454	)	$	(392	)		(7	)%

Cash flows used in operating activities for the three month period ended March 31, 2020, increased by $392, compared to the corresponding three month period ended March 31, 2019, primarily as a result of a higher net loss, partially offset by higher non-cash items. The increase in non-cash items was primarily due to higher stock-based compensation.

Cash flows provided by investing activities for the three month period ended March 31, 2020, compared to the corresponding three month period ended March 31, 2019, increased by $2,074 from $2,838 to $4,912, primarily as a result of higher net maturities of marketable securities.

Cash flows used in financing activities for the three month period ended March 31, 2020, compared to the corresponding three month period ended March 31, 2019, decreased by $358 from $387 to $29, primarily as a result of the issuance of our common stock, partially offset by higher purchases of our common stock due to a higher share price and more shares required to be purchased in satisfaction of required withholding tax liability in connection with the vesting of restricted shares.

Future Cash Expectations

We believe that our current cash, cash equivalents, and short-term marketable securities balances will satisfy our projected working capital and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months.

In May 2019, we entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement, whereby we may sell from time to time through Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as our sales agent, our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $30 million. Wells Fargo Securities, LLC will receive from us a commission equal to 2.50% of the gross sales price per share of common stock for shares having an aggregate offering price of up to $10 million, and a commission of 2.25% of the gross sales price per share of common stock thereafter, for shares sold under the Equity Distribution Agreement. As of March 31, 2020, we had sold 364 thousand shares at an average price of $57.64 under this Equity Distribution Agreement, totaling $21.0 million of cash proceeds, less $0.5 million of commissions and $0.3 million of stock issuance costs, for net cash proceeds of $20.2 million.

We have a $100 million shelf registration statement in place, of which $17.8 million and $12.0 million were allocated for sales of our common stock in connection with our registered direct offerings in June 2017 and November 2017, respectively. We have also allocated up to $30 million of the shelf registration statement for the sale of our common stock under the Equity Distribution Agreement with Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, of which $21.0 million has been sold. As of March 31, 2020, $49.2 million remains available for future issuances under this shelf registration statement, which expires in June 2020.

We may sell shares under the Equity Distribution Agreement and/or use similar or other financing means to raise working capital in the future, if necessary, to support continued investment in our growth initiatives. We may also raise capital in the future to fund acquisitions and/or investments in complementary businesses, technologies or product lines. If it becomes necessary to obtain

additional financing, we may not be able to do so, or if these funds are available, they may not be available on satisfactory terms. The COVID-19 pandemic has created substantial uncertainty and volatility in the stock market, particularly in the small cap sector in which our stock is traded, and has negatively impacted our share price. These factors may inhibit our near-term ability to obtain financing through the sale of shares under the Equity Distribution Agreement. After the end of the quarter, as described below, we received a loan pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program that will give us more time to observe financial market trends and assess the effects of the pandemic on our prospects to determine the best course of action concerning financing the business.

COVID-19 Pandemic

We are continuously reviewing our liquidity and anticipated capital requirements in light of the uncertainty created by the COVID-19 pandemic. As described in Part I, Item 1, Note 14 “Subsequent Events,” to help ensure adequate liquidity during this period and in light of uncertainties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company entered into a loan with Stearns Bank, N.A. on April 16, 2020 (the “Loan”), pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program (the “PPP”) under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. The Loan has an aggregate principal amount of $5,032. Subject to the terms and limitations of the PPP, the Loan may be forgiven in whole or in part. Our intent is that the entire loan amount will be used to fund our payroll, rent and utilities.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenue or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources that is material to investors.

We are party to an operating lease for our corporate office in Beaverton, Oregon. In July 2015, we entered into an amendment with the landlord of our corporate office in Beaverton, Oregon, to extend the lease term through March 2024, with remaining rent payments totaling $3.3 million, payable in monthly installments.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933. Words such as “may,” “might,” “plan,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “project,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “continue,” and variations of such terms or similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements, or other statements made by us, are made based on our expectations and beliefs concerning future events impacting us, and are subject to uncertainties and factors (including those specified below), which are difficult to predict and, in many instances, are beyond our control. As a result, our actual results could differ materially from those expressed in or implied by any such forward-looking statements, and investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements. We believe that the following factors, among others (including those described in Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our 2019 Annual Report), could affect our future performance and the liquidity and value of our securities and cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements made by us. Forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements relating to:

•

our beliefs regarding the possible effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on general economic conditions, public health, and consumer demand, and the Company’s results of operations, liquidity, capital resources, and general performance in the future;

•

the possible impact of COVID-19 on our ability to obtain financing through our Equity Distribution Agreement and the availability of any alternative sources of financing;

•

our expectations regarding the use of funds from the Company’s PPP Loan and the potential for forgiveness of the PPP Loan under the terms of the PPP;

•

the potential impact of COVID-19 on projects with our retail customers and partners;

•

concentration of revenue with few customers comprising a large majority of the revenue;

•

revenue trends and expectations;

•

anticipated successful advocacy of our technology by our partners;

•

our belief regarding the global deployment of our products;

•

our future level of investment in our business, including investment in research, development and engineering of products and technology, development of our intellectual property, sales growth initiatives and development of new market opportunities;

•

anticipated expenses, costs, margins, provision for income taxes and investment activities in the foreseeable future;

•

our assumptions and expectations related to stock awards;

•

our belief that we have one of the world’s most extensive patent portfolios in digital watermarking and related fields;

•

our beliefs regarding our critical accounting policies;

•

our expectations regarding the impact of accounting pronouncements issued but not yet adopted;

•

anticipated revenue to be generated from current contracts, renewals, and as a result of new programs;

•

our estimates, judgements and assumptions related to impairment testing;

•

variability of contracted arrangements;

•

business opportunities that could require that we seek additional financing and our ability to do so;

•

the size and growth of our markets and our assumptions and beliefs related to those markets;

•

the existence of international growth opportunities and our future investment in such opportunities;

•

the sources of our future revenue;

•

our expected short-term and long-term liquidity positions;

•

our capital expenditure and working capital requirements and our ability to fund our capital expenditure and working capital needs through cash flow from operations or financing;

•

the effect of computerized trading on our stock price;

•

capital market conditions, our expectations regarding credit risk exposure, interest rate volatility and other limitations on the availability of capital, which could have an impact on our cost of capital and our ability to access the capital markets;

•

our use of cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities in upcoming quarters and the possibility that our deposits of cash and cash equivalents with major banks and financial institutions may exceed insured limits;

•

the adoption of our technology and success of our products;

•

our ability to innovate and enhance our competitive differentiation;

•

our beliefs related to our existing facilities;

•

protection, development and monetization of our intellectual property portfolio;

•

our beliefs related to our relationship with our employees;

•

our beliefs regarding cybersecurity incidents;

•

our beliefs related to certain provisions in our bylaws and articles of incorporation; and

•

our beliefs related to legal proceedings and claims arising in the ordinary course of business.

We believe that the risk factors specified above and the risk factors contained in Part I, Item 1A. “Risk Factors” of our 2019 Annual Report, among others, could affect our future performance and the liquidity and value of our securities and cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements made by us or on our behalf. Investors should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all risk factors and that there may be other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements made by us or by persons acting on our behalf apply only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We do not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect future events, information or circumstances that arise after the date of the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We conducted an evaluation (pursuant to Rule 13a-15(b) of the Exchange Act), under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. These disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Our disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that this information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Based on the evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, were effective.

Changes in Controls

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during the three month period ended March 31, 2020, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION.

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings.

We are subject from time to time to legal proceedings and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. At this time, we do not believe that the resolution of any such matters will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

Our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows may be affected by a number of factors. Detailed information about risk factors that may affect Digimarc’s actual results are set forth in Part I, Item 1A: “Risk Factors” of our 2019 Annual Report. The risks and uncertainties described in our 2019 Annual Report are those risks of which we are aware and that we consider to be material to our business. If any of those risks and uncertainties develop into actual events, our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows could be materially adversely affected. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline. Except as set forth below, there have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in our 2019 Annual Report.

Paycheck Protection Program Loan

On April 16, 2020, we entered into a loan with Stearns Bank, N.A. in an aggregate principal amount of approximately $5 million pursuant to the Paycheck Protection Program, or the PPP, under the CARES Act. On April 23, 2020, the Small Business Administration issued new guidance that questioned whether a public company with substantial market value and access to capital markets would qualify to participate in the PPP. Subsequently, on April 28, 2020 the Secretary of the Treasury and Small Business Administrator announced that the government will review all PPP loans of more than $2 million for which the borrower applies for forgiveness. Should we be audited or reviewed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury as a result of filing an application for forgiveness or otherwise, such audit or review could result in the diversion of management’s time and attention and legal and reputational costs. If we were to be audited and receive an adverse finding in such audit, we could be required to return the full amount of the PPP loan, which could reduce our liquidity, and potentially subject us to fines and penalties.

COVID-19 Pandemic

The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic around the world, and particularly in the United States, presents significant risks to the Company, not all of which we are able to fully evaluate or foresee. Some of the effects that could directly or indirectly result from the COVID-19 pandemic include, without limitation, possible impacts on the health of the Company’s management and employees, impairment of the Company’s administrative, research, and development operations, disruption in supplier and customer relationships, changes in demand for our services and subscriptions, and the collectability of accounts receivables. We expect some of our projects with retail customers and partners may be delayed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, thereby potentially affecting our ability to fund our business through near-term revenue growth. The scope and nature of these impacts, most of which are beyond our control, continue to evolve and the outcomes remain uncertain.

These short-term effects may change over the long term depending on the duration and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic, the length of time before normal economic and operating conditions resume, the additional governmental actions that may be taken, the extensions of social restrictions that have been imposed to date, and many other factors. Due to the above circumstances and as described generally in this Quarterly Report, the Company’s results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2020 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

We repurchase shares of common stock in satisfaction of required withholding tax liability in connection with the vesting of restricted shares.

The following table sets forth information regarding purchases of our equity securities during the three month period ended March 31, 2020:

							(d)
					(c)		Approximate
					Total number		dollar value
					of shares		of shares that
	(a)		(b)		purchased as		may yet be
	Total number		Average price		part of publicly		purchased
	of shares		paid per		announced plans		under the plans
Period	purchased (1)		share (1)		or programs		or programs
Month 1
January 1, 2020 to January 31, 2020		216	$	34.97		—	$	—
Month 2
February 1, 2020 to February 29, 2020		20,072	$	34.05		—	$	—
Month 3
March 1, 2020 to March 31, 2020		2,365	$	20.00		—	$	—
Total		22,653	$	32.59		—	$	—

(1)	Fully vested shares of common stock withheld (purchased) by us in satisfaction of required withholding tax liability upon vesting of restricted stock.

Item 6.

Exhibits.

Exhibit Number		Exhibit Description

10.1		Promissory Note between the Company and Stearns Bank, N.A., dated April 16, 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on April 20, 2020 (File No. 001-34108))

31.1		Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Executive Officer

31.2		Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Chief Financial Officer

32.1		Section 1350 Certification of Chief Executive Officer

32.2		Section 1350 Certification of Chief Financial Officer

101.INS		XBRL Instance Document

101.SCH		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document

101.CAL		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document

101.DEF		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document

101.LAB		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document

101.PRE		XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document

104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

Date: April 30, 2020	DIGIMARC CORPORATION

	By:	/s/ CHARLES BECK
		CHARLES BECK
		Chief Financial Officer
		(Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)