FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
This annual report contains forward-looking statements by the registrant based on its current expectations about its business and its industry. You can identify these forward-looking statements when you see words such as "EXPECT," "ANTICIPATE," "ESTIMATE" and other similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of such risk factors as discussed in Business Description, Risk Factors and elsewhere in this Registration Statement. THE REGISTRANT undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements for any reason, even in the event new information becomes available or other events occur in the future.
Unless otherwise indicated, all references to "DOLLARS", "$" or "US$" refer to U.S. dollars and all references to "CDN$" refer to Canadian dollars.
THE COMPANY
iCRYSTAL, INC. (together with its subsidiary, the "Company") is a Delaware corporation, incorporated on OCTOBER 5, 1994, as Cable Group South, Inc. Effective OCTOBER 19, 1998 the Company undertook an 8:1 reverse stock split and changed its name to SoftNet Industries, Inc. To avoid a conflict with a similarly named Company, the Company again changed its name to I crystal, Inc. on JULY 29, 1999. The Company stockholders approved a change of the Company's name to "iCRYSTAL, INC." at a Special Meeting JUNE 2000. The Company believed this change in its name better reflected the Internet aspects of its software development business.
From 1994 until late 1998, the Company had minimal operations and devoted its efforts to corporate structuring, financial and business planning, recruitment of directors and advisors, and raising additional financing. In 1998 the business of the Company became focused on the development and licensing of Internet based software for computer based card and table games for gaming and casino applications. In December 1998 the Company entered into a licensing and put option agreement (the "DIVERSIFIED LICENSE") with Diversified Cosmetics International, Inc. ("DIVERSIFIED") to license that company's game and casino software. Diversified subsequently exercised the put option (the "PUT OPTION") granted in the Diversified License and required the Company to acquire Diversified's casino software for Company Common Stock and a promissory note. The Company's first revenues from the newly focused business operations were realized in July 1999 and, therefore, the Company has presented development stage financial statements for the periods through June 1999. Since its founding, the Company has recorded significant losses. At December 31, 2003, the Company has an accumulated deficit of $6,423,944 and has a shareholders deficit of $20,404.
SALE OF ASSETS
Management modified its business strategy subsequent to the 2002 year end. Due to significantly increasing competition and potential processing problems in February 2003, management entered into an arrangement to sell its gaming software and related assets in exchange for the majority of the company's debts including all of the convertible debt and related interest which occurred on May 29, 2003. The company kept certain assets for use in its software consulting portion of the business. Management believes that it can cover its expenses with this consulting revenue in the future. By significantly reducing its debts the interest costs should be reduced to a negligible amount. Management is looking to potentially add to this base of business in the future through growth or potential acquisition.
The Company's liquidity over the next 12 months is contingent on its ability to market its consulting services to meet its short term needs. However, there can be no certainty that the Company will be able to meet its financing goals or raise sufficient financing to fund such future business plans. In the event that the Company is unsuccessful in its efforts to generate revenues from its consulting services or raise the capital expected to be required over the next twelve months, the Company will need to modify its business strategy accordingly, to adjust its operating requirements to meet its available liquidity and may need to consider additional reductions in operations until capital resources or operating cash flows are sufficient to meet operating needs.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
In May 2003 the Company disposed of assets relating to the Company's internet software gaming business in order to relieve its debt. Accordingly the Company accounted for its software activities as a discontinued operation up to May 29, 2003. Revenue from discontinued operations in the current quarter totaled nil. It was agreed that all of the assets of the subsidiary, excepting for certain fixed assets and accounts receivable, would be purchased in exchange for relief of the $418,770 note payable and related interest, accounts payable, and certain other liabilities. A gain from disposal of assets of $782,690 was recorded.
THE TRANSACTION
The Board of Directors entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the "Agreement") with Wellington Holdings Ltd., a Belize company ("Wellington") to sell the assets of the Company pertaining to its internet gaming software development business and its related Master License Agreement with Manihi, Inc. This business represented over 90% of the operations, revenues and expenses of the Company. The Agreement was specifically subject to and conditional on approval by the Company's shareholders.
As consideration for the sale of assets, Wellington had agreed to assume the Company's liabilities in the amount of US$724,000.00 at closing. The Company retained its cash and receivables as of the date of closing of the Agreement. Wellington had previously approached the Company with a similar offer in the past, but the Company had rejected such offer at the time, feeling it could increase its sales and revenues. Other than Wellington, the Company had never received any indications of interest with respect to its business. Wellington has established to the satisfaction of the Company, to a high degree of certainty, that it has sufficient resources to acquire the assets and satisfy the liabilities, as assumed by Wellington. The Company's conclusions in this regard are based on due diligence performed by the Company on Wellington, which is in the business of marketing and software consulting.
The rights of the Company's securities holders will not be affected by this transaction.
On an accounting basis, this transaction has been treated as a sale of substantially all of the assets by the Company, and there are no income tax consequences to the Company.
ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT
The Agreement provided for the Company, at closing, to transfer all its rights, titles and interests in its assets related to its internet gaming software development business to Wellington, including the source codes. Concurrent with this transfer, Wellington assumed liabilities of the Company in the total sum of US$724,000.00.
REASONS FOR THE SALE
The value of the Company's software development business and the resulting purchase price was determined based upon the approximate amount of the Company's liabilities. Based on the reasons discussed below, the Company believed the value of its software development business was very uncertain and questionable and, therefore, giving due consideration to all the circumstances, the purchase price was fair and reasonable. The Company did not obtain a fairness opinion as to value and the sales price because it believed there was a possibility that the fairness opinion could have resulted in a lower valuation and price, based on the financially depressed status of the industry.
The Company believed it would be prudent to get out of the internet gaming software development industry and this transaction was necessary and appropriate at the time for the following reasons:
1. The Company had been struggling to maintain cash flow to continue operations at the current level, and this transaction eliminated the financial loans and arrangements entered into by the Company in the past, when it was short of cash and obtained short-term loans at a high interest rate. It had been extremely difficult for the Company to service these loans and maintain the financial ability to continue successful operations.
2. The future business prospects in the internet gaming business, and especially in the gaming software development business engaged in by our Company, were very uncertain and risky. Many gaming software developers have ceased business operations and others have significantly reduced the cost at which they are willing to sell the software systems they develop, which made it extremely difficult for the Company to successfully compete or sell software systems.
3. There are many countries around the world which have adopted or were considering adopting regulatory restrictions or prohibitions against internet gaming, which has, in turn, severely restricted or totally eliminated internet gaming operations in many countries. And it appeared likely, in the opinion of the Company, that regulatory action in the United States will further refine and extend restrictions and/or prohibitions against internet gaming in the U.S.
4. The number of internet gaming operators around the world had decreased, and the revenues of those operators who continue to operate have reportedly been significantly reduced as a result of laws, rules and regulations restricting or eliminating the use of many types of credit cards as a method of payment for internet gaming activities. Thus, operators have had an extremely difficult time processing gaming transactions and/or collecting monies from internet gamers.
5. Cryptologic, a recognized leader in the internet gaming software development industry, had estimated that the market for gaming software is expected to shrink.
6. There was substantial competition from other internet gaming software developers, such as Cryptologic, and the Company lacks the financial and other resources to continue competing in the industry. Based on these facts and circumstances, the Company believed this transaction was in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders at the time.
COMPANY'S CONTINUING BUSINESS
The Company retained that portion of its assets related to its administration of online services and back office management, as well as its computer hardware unrelated to the software development business, and its website development business. Its operations, and most significantly, its expenses, were reduced by 90%. The Company expects to aggressively market its services to existing online gaming operators, through use of the internet and its industry contacts, in an effort to become an outside vendor of services. The Company believes it will be able to offer such services at rates cheaper than it costs the operators to perform such services in-house.
The Company used its remaining assets to continue its website development business, as well as pursue related services, especially focusing on consulting services to other companies in the gaming industry. The Board of Directors was to also investigate and consider various alternatives to expand the business, especially the website development business, as and when opportunities arise.
RISK FACTORS
The Company's business and investment in its securities is subject to a number of risks which, in addition to ordinary business risks, include the following:
1. CHANGE IN OPERATIONS OF THE BUSINESS AND NO HISTORY OF EARNINGS
Since the Company sold a significant part of the business during the year, there is no assurance that the Company will generate either revenues or earnings from its continuing operations. The Company is going through changes and there is no history that can be used as comparison.
2. TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS
Web based industries are subject to rapid changes arising from new technological developments and evolving industry standards. The Company's success will depend heavily on its continuing ability to develop and introduce enhancements to its existing web based consulting. The Company will constantly be required to commit significant resources to continued research and development in order to remain competitive. However, the Company cannot be certain that it will develop its web based consulting revenue sufficient to cover its costs due to the introduction of alternative technologies. If the Company cannot continue to innovate successfully, its business and operating results could be adversely affected.
3. GOVERNMENT REGULATION
Every Internet business faces the risk of having to comply not only with the laws of its home jurisdiction, but also with the laws of the countries where its customers reside. With respect to web based consulting, many countries have enacted or are considering enacting laws which may regulate web based activities.
4. THE COMPANY'S STOCK PRICE MAY BE VOLATILE
In recent years and months, the U.S. stock market has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations. These fluctuations, which are often unrelated to the operating performances of specific companies, have had a substantial effect on the market price of stocks, particularly stocks like the Company's. It is also possible that the Company's operating results will not meet the expectations of its public market analysts, which could have an adverse effect on the trading price of its common shares. Accordingly, the market price for the Company's Common Stock may fluctuate substantially.
5. THE COMPANY DOES NOT PLAN TO PAY DIVIDENDS
The Company has not yet realized positive net income and has not, since incorporation, paid dividends. the Company expects to use any earnings to fund it ongoing operations.
6. SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
At DECEMBER 31, 2003, the Company had outstanding 19,732,785 shares of common stock, $.01 par value per share (the "COMMON STOCK") which were all eligible for resale without restriction.
This may adversely affect the market price of its shares and could affect the amount of trading of such shares.
7. MINIMAL TRADING HISTORY OF COMMON STOCK - POSSIBLE STOCK PRICE VOLATILITY
The Company's Common Stock traded on the OTC Bulletin Board under the symbol "ICRS" from August 1999 through March 2000, and under the symbol "ICRSE" from March 2000 until APRIL 4, 2000. The Company's stock traded on the National Quotation Bureau's "PINK SHEETS" from APRIL 5, 2000 until May 31, 2000, when they re-commenced trading on the OTC Bulletin Board, where they currently trade under the symbol "ICRS". The market price of the Company's Common Stock could fluctuate substantially due to a variety of factors, including market perception of its ability to achieve its planned growth, the trading volume in its Common Stock, changes in general conditions in the economy, the financial markets or other developments affecting the Company or its competitors. In addition, the stock market is subject to extreme price and volume fluctuations. This volatility has had a significant effect on the market prices of securities issued by many companies for reasons unrelated to their operating performance.
8. PENNY STOCK REGULATION
Broker-dealer practices in connection with transactions in "PENNY STOCKS" are regulated by certain penny stock rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC" or the "COMMISSION"). Penny stocks generally are equity securities with a price of less than $5.00 (other than securities registered on certain national securities exchanges or quoted on Nasdaq provided that current price and volume information with respect to transactions in such securities is provided by the exchange or trading system).
The penny stock rules require a broker-dealer, prior to a transaction in a penny stock not otherwise exempt from the rules, to deliver a standardized risk disclosure document that provides information about penny stocks and the risks in the penny stock market. The broker-dealer also must provide the customer with current bid and offer quotations for the penny stock, the compensation of the broker-dealer and its salesperson in connection with the transaction, and monthly account statements showing the market value of each penny stock held in the customer's account. In addition, the penny stock rules generally require that prior to a transaction in a penny stock, the broker-dealer must make a special written determination that the penny stock is a suitable investment for the purchaser and receive the purchaser's written agreement to the transaction. These disclosure requirements may have the effect of reducing the level of trading activity in the secondary market for a stock that becomes subject to the penny stock rules. the Company's securities are presently subject to the penny stock rules, and, as a result, investors may find it more difficult to sell its securities.
I Crystal, Inc (ICRI) - Description of business
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