Commitments and contingencies |
6 Months Ended |
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Jun. 30, 2016 | |
| Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract] | |
| Commitments and contingencies |
Note 8. Commitments and contingencies:
Commitments:
As of June 30, 2016, the Company had employment agreements with two officers providing aggregate annual minimum commitments totaling $655,000. The agreements automatically renew at the end of each year unless terminated by either party and contain customary confidentiality and benefit provisions.
Venaxis determined in the first quarter of 2016 to begin winding down and ceasing its APPY1 commercial activities, due to continuing limited sales and losses from the European operations. This decision also resulted in a reduction of the Company’s workforce, which was implemented as of January 31, 2016. In February 2016, Venaxis sent notices to its four European distributors informing them of the wind-down and therefore the termination of their distribution agreements. Two of the distributors, linked by common management / ownership, subsequently communicated to Venaxis that they dispute that Venaxis had the right to terminate the agreements. Under the terms of the distribution agreements, such a dispute shall first be attempted to be resolved between management of the parties and then subject to binding arbitration. The parties are currently attempting to resolve the dispute without arbitration. Venaxis believes that the distributors’ claims are without merit and any potential settlement or resolution will not be material to the Company’s financial position.
Contingencies:
In the ordinary course of business and in the general industry in which the Company is engaged, it is not atypical to periodically receive a third party communication which may be in the form of a notice, threat, or “cease and desist” letter concerning certain activities. For example, this can occur in the context of the Company’s pursuit of intellectual property rights. This can also occur in the context of operations such as the using, making, having made, selling, and offering to sell products and services, and in other contexts. The Company makes rational assessments of each situation on a case-by-case basis as such may arise. The Company periodically evaluates its options for trademark positions and considers a full spectrum of alternatives for trademark protection and product branding.
We are currently not a party to any legal proceedings, the adverse outcome of which would, in our management’s opinion, have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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