DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC. 200 CANAL
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Posted On: 03/27/2020 6:09:46 PM
DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.
200 CANAL VIEW BOULEVARD, SUITE 300
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK 14623
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To be held May 4, 2020
To our Stockholders:
A special meeting of stockholders Document Security Systems, Inc., a New York corporation (the “Company” or “DSS” or “us” or “we” or “our”) will be held at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, 1601 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77380, on May 4, 2020 at 9.00 a.m. local time for the following purpose:
(1) To approve an amendment to our certificate of incorporation to effect a reverse split of our common stock by a ratio of 1-for-30 (the “Reverse Split”); and
(2) Transacting such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
The close of business on April 3, 2020 has been fixed as the record date (the “Record Date”) for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Stockholders holding a majority of our common stock outstanding as of the close of business on the Record Date must vote in favor of the Proposal to be approved by stockholders.
Our common stock may be delisted from the NYSE American LLC exchange (“NYSE American Exchange”) if our share price sells for a low price for a substantial period of time. Approval of the Reverse Split enables our board of directors (the “Board”) to judiciously select an appropriate Reverse Split ratio. Without approval of the Reverse Split Proposal, the Board of Directors will not be able to prevent the common stock from potentially being delisted from NYSE American Exchange, which will likely have very serious consequences for our company and our stockholders.
You are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person. However, to assure your representation at the meeting, please mark, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy as promptly as possible in the enclosed postage-prepaid envelope. If you attend the meeting you may vote in person, even if you returned a proxy. These proxy materials will be mailed on or about April 9, 2020 to the stockholders of record on the Record Date
By Order of the Board of Directors of Document Security Systems, Inc.
/s/ Heng Fai Ambrose Chan
Heng Fai Ambrose Chan
Chairman of the Board
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN ON ATTENDING THE SPECIAL MEETING IN PERSON, PLEASE VOTE USING THE PROXY CARD AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE TO ENSURE THAT YOUR VOTE IS COUNTED.
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DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.
200 CANAL VIEW BOULEVARD, SUITE 300
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK 14623
PROXY STATEMENT
SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
We are furnishing this proxy statement to the holders of our common stock, par value $0.02 per share (the “Common Stock “), in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Document Security Systems, Inc. (the “Company”), for use at a special meeting of stockholders (the “Special Meeting”) to be held at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, 1601 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77380 on May 4, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. local time, and any adjournment thereof, for the purpose of seeking approval of an amendment to our certificate of incorporation to effect a reverse split of our Common Stock by a ratio of 1-for-30 (the “Reverse Split”). Whether or not you expect to attend the special meeting in person, please vote by returning your executed proxy card in the enclosed envelope and the shares represented thereby will be voted in accordance with your instructions.
The purpose of the Reverse Split is to enable us to comply with the minimum continued listing standards of NYSE American Exchange compliance. We urge our stockholders to review the information set forth in this proxy statement, particularly under the heading “Approval of the Reverse Split”
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
Our Board is sending you this proxy statement to in connection with its solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board for use at the Special Meeting to approve the Reverse Split. The Company will pay for the costs of solicitation. We will pay the reasonable expenses of brokers, nominees and similar record holders in mailing consent materials to beneficial owners of our Common Stock.
REVOCABILITY OF PROXY
Any stockholder executing a proxy that is solicited has the power to revoke it prior to the voting of the proxy. Revocation may be made by i) attending the Special Meeting and voting the shares of stock in person, ii) delivering to the Secretary of the Company at the principal office of the Company prior to the Special Meeting a written notice of revocation or a later-dated, properly executed proxy, iii) signing another proxy card with a later date and returning it before the polls close at the Special Meeting, or iv) voting again via the internet or by toll free telephone by following the instructions on the proxy card.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT VOTING
Record Date
Only the holders of record of our Common Stock at the close of business on the record date, April 3, 2020 (the “Record Date”), are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. As of March 27, 2020, there were 62,086,099 shares of our Common Stock outstanding. Stockholders are entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held on the record date.
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Voting
When a proxy is properly executed and returned (and not subsequently properly revoked), the shares it represents will be voted in accordance with the directions indicated thereon, or, if no direction is indicated thereon, it will be voted:
(1) FOR approval of the Reverse Split (the “Proposal”); and
(2) According to their judgment on the transaction of such matters or other business as may properly come up for vote at the Special Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
Votes Required for Approval
The approval of the amendment to our certificate of incorporation to effect the Reverse Split requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock entitled to be voted at the meeting. Abstentions are not treated as votes cast, and therefore will have the same effect of a vote against this proposal. We understand that certain brokerage firms have elected not to vote even on “routine” matters such as the Reverse Split without your voting instructions. If your brokerage firm has made this decision and you do not provide voting instructions, your vote will not be cast and will have the same effect of a vote against the Reverse Split. Accordingly, we urge you to provide instructions to your bank, brokerage firm, or other nominee by voting your proxy.
Broker Non-Votes
A “broker non-vote” occurs when a broker, bank, or other holder of record holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because that holder (i) has not received instructions from the beneficial owner and (ii) does not have discretionary voting power for that particular item.
If you are a beneficial owner and you do not give instructions to your broker, bank, or other holder of record, such holder of record will be entitled to vote the shares with respect to “routine” items but will not be permitted to vote the shares with respect to “non-routine” items (those shares are treated as “broker non-votes”). If you are a beneficial owner, your broker, bank, or other holder of record generally has discretion to vote your shares on the proposal to approve the Reverse Split. However, we understand that certain brokerage firms have elected not to vote even on “routine” matters such as the Reverse Split without your voting instructions. Accordingly, we urge you to provide instructions to your bank, brokerage firm, or other nominee by voting your proxy to ensure that your shares will be voted in accordance with your wishes at the Special Meeting.
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You can contact our corporate headquarters, at (585) 325-3610, or send a letter to: Investor Relations, Document Security Systems, Inc., 200 Canal View Boulevard, Suite 300, Rochester, New York 14623, with any questions about proposals described in this Proxy Statement or how to execute your vote.
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VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
Voting Securities
The number of outstanding shares of our Common Stock as of March 27, 2020, is 62,086,099.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth beneficial ownership of common stock as of March 27, 2020 by each person known by the Company to beneficially own more than 5% of the Common Stock, each director and each executive officer, and by all of the Company’s directors and executive officers as a group. Each person has sole voting and dispositive power over the shares listed opposite his or her name except as indicated in the footnotes to the table and each person’s address is c/o Document Security Systems, Inc., 200 Canal View Boulevard, Suite 300, Rochester, New York 14623.
For purposes of this table, beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission rules, and includes investment power with respect to shares owned and shares issuable pursuant to warrants or options exercisable within 60 days of March 27, 2020.
The percentages of shares beneficially owned are based on 62,086,099 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding as of March 27, 2020, and is calculated by dividing the number of shares that person beneficially owns by the sum of (a) the total number of shares outstanding on March 27, 2020, plus (b) the number of shares such person has the right to acquire within 60 days of March 27, 2020.
Name of Beneficial Owner Shares Percentage
Officers and Directors
Heng Fai Ambrose Chan (1) 22,954,670 39.1 %
Frank Heuszel 74,770 *
Sassuan Lee -
Jose Escudero -
John Thatch 30,575 *
Lowell Wai Wah 40,767 *
William Wu -
Jason Grady 74,770 *
All officers and directors as a group (8 persons) 23,175,552 39.4 %
%
* Less than 1%.
(1) Includes (a) 1,786,531 shares of Common Stock held by Heng Fai Holdings Limited; (b) 500,000 shares of Common Stock held by BMI Capital Partners International Limited; (c) 683,000 shares of Common Stock held by Hengfai Business Development Pte Ltd.; (d) 13,538,711 shares of Common Stock held individually by Heng Fai Ambrose Chan; and (e) 6,446,428 shares of Common Stock held by LiquidValue Development Pte Ltd.
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PROPOSAL— APPROVAL OF THE REVERSE SPLIT
General
Our Board has approved, subject to stockholder approval, an amendment to our certificate of incorporation to effect a Reverse Split of our issued and outstanding Common Stock by a ratio of 1-for-30. The primary reason for the Reverse Split is to enable us to comply with the minimum continued listing standards of the NYSE American Exchange. Our Common Stock may be delisted from NYSE American Exchange if we do not receive stockholder approval to effect the Reverse Split.
The form of the proposed amendment to the Company’s certificate of incorporation to effect a Reverse Split of our issued and outstanding Common Stock (subject to any changes required by applicable law). If approved by our Stockholders, the Reverse Split proposal would permit (but not require) our Board to effect a Reverse Split of our issued and outstanding Common Stock at any time prior to May 31, 2020 by a ratio of 1-for-30. In determining the ratio, our Board considered, among other things, factors such as:
● the listing requirements of the NYSE American Exchange;
● the historical trading price and trading volume of our Common Stock;
● the number of shares of our Common Stock outstanding;
● the prevailing trading price and trading volume of our Common Stock and the anticipated impact of the Reverse Split on the trading market for our Common Stock;
● the anticipated impact of a particular ratio on our ability to reduce administrative and transactional costs; and
● prevailing general market and economic conditions.
Our Board reserves the right to elect to abandon the Reverse Split, including any or all proposed reverse stock split ratios, if it determines, in its sole discretion, that the Reverse Split is no longer in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
As a result of the Result Split, every thirty shares of existing Common Stock will be combined into one share of Common Stock. Any fractional shares will be rounded up to the next whole number. The amendment to our articles of incorporation to effect a reverse stock split, if any, will include only the reverse stock split ratio determined by our Board to be in the best interests of our stockholders and all of the other proposed amendments at different ratios will be abandoned.
Background and Reasons for the Reverse Stock Split; Potential Consequences of the Reverse Stock Split
Our Board is submitting the Reverse Split to our stockholders for approval with the primary intent to enable us to comply with the minimum continued listing standards of the NYSE American Exchange, as well as to make our Common Stock more attractive to a broader range of institutional and other investors. In addition to increasing the market price of our Common Stock, the Reverse Split would also reduce certain of our costs, as discussed below. Accordingly, for these and other reasons discussed below, we believe that effecting the Reverse Split is in the Company’s and our stockholders’ best interests.
We believe that the Reverse Split enable us to comply with the minimum continued listing standards of the NYSE American Exchange. The NYSE American Exchange reserves the right to delist the Company if our Common Stock sells for a low price for a substantial period of time. Reducing the number of outstanding shares of our Common Stock should, absent other factors, increase the per share market price of our Common Stock.
Additionally, we believe that the Reverse Split will make our Common Stock more attractive to a broader range of institutional and other investors, as we believe that the current market price of our Common Stock may affect its acceptability to certain institutional investors, professional investors and other members of the investing public. Many brokerage houses and institutional investors have internal policies and practices that either prohibit them from investing in low-priced stocks or tend to discourage individual brokers from recommending low-priced stocks to their customers. In addition, some of those policies and practices may function to make the processing of trades in low-priced stocks economically unattractive to brokers. Moreover, because brokers’ commissions on low-priced stocks generally represent a higher percentage of the stock price than commissions on higher-priced stocks, the current average price per share of common stock can result in individual stockholders paying transaction costs representing a higher percentage of their total share value than would be the case if the share price were substantially higher. We believe that the Reverse Split will make our Common Stock a more attractive and cost effective investment for many investors, which will enhance the liquidity of the holders of our Common Stock.
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Reducing the number of outstanding shares of our Common Stock through the Reverse Split is intended, absent other factors, to increase the per share market price of our Common Stock. However, other factors, such as our financial results, market conditions and the market perception of our business may adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock. As a result, there can be no assurance that the Reverse Split, if completed, will result in the intended benefits described above, that the market price of our Common Stock will increase following the Reverse Split or that the market price of our Common Stock will not decrease in the future. Additionally, we cannot assure you that the market price per share of our Common Stock after a Reverse Split will increase in proportion to the reduction in the number of shares of our Common Stock outstanding before the Reverse Split. Accordingly, the total market capitalization of our Common Stock after the Reverse Stock Split may be lower than the total market capitalization before the Reverse Split.
Procedure for Implementing the Reverse Split
The Reverse Split, if approved by our stockholders, would become effective upon the filing (the “Effective Time”) of a certificate of amendment to our articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of New York. The exact timing of the filing of the certificate of amendment that will affect the Reverse Split will be determined by our board of directors based on its evaluation as to when such action will be the most advantageous to the Company and our stockholders. In addition, our board of directors reserves the right, notwithstanding stockholder approval and without further action by the stockholders, to elect not to proceed with the Reverse Split if, at any time prior to filing the amendment to the Company’s articles of incorporation, our board of directors, in its sole discretion, determines that it is no longer in our best interest and the best interests of our stockholders to proceed with the Reverse Split. If a certificate of amendment effecting the Reverse Split has not been filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York by the close of business on May 31, 2020, our board of directors will abandon the Reverse Split.
Effect of the Reverse Split on Holders of Outstanding Common Stock
As a result of the Reverse Split, every thirty shares of existing Common Stock will be combined into one new share of Common Stock. The table below shows, as of March 27, 2020, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock that will result from the Reverse Stock Split (without giving effect to the treatment of fractional shares):
Reverse Stock Split Ratio
Approximate
Number of
Outstanding Shares
of Common Stock
Following the
Reverse
Stock Split
1-for-30 2,069,537
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The Reverse Split will affect all holders of our Common Stock uniformly and will not affect any Stockholder’s percentage ownership interest in the Company, except that as described below in “Fractional Shares,” record holders of Common Stock otherwise entitled to a fractional share as a result of the Reverse Split will be rounded up to the next whole number. In addition, the Reverse Split will not affect any Stockholder’s proportionate voting power (subject to the treatment of fractional shares).
The implementation of the Reverse Split will result in an increased number of available authorized shares of Common Stock. The resulting increase in such availability in the authorized number of shares of Common Stock could have a number of effects on the Company’s stockholders depending upon the exact nature and circumstances of any actual issuances of authorized but unissued shares. The increase in available authorized shares for issuance could have an anti-takeover effect, in that additional shares could be issued (within the limits imposed by applicable law) in one or more transactions that could make a change in control or takeover of the Company more difficult. For example, additional shares could be issued by the Company so as to dilute the stock ownership or voting rights of persons seeking to obtain control of the Company, even if the persons seeking to obtain control of the Company offer an above-market premium that is favored by a majority of the independent shareholders. Similarly, the issuance of additional shares to certain persons allied with the Company’s management could have the effect of making it more difficult to remove the Company’s current management by diluting the stock ownership or voting rights of persons seeking to cause such removal. The Company does not have any other provisions in its articles of incorporation, Bylaws, employment agreements, credit agreements or any other documents that have material anti-takeover consequences. Additionally, the Company has no plans or proposals to adopt other provisions or enter into other arrangements that may have material anti-takeover consequences. The Board is not aware of any attempt, or contemplated attempt, to acquire control of the Company, and this proposal is not being presented with the intent that it be utilized as a type of anti- takeover device.
Additionally, because holders of Common Stock have no preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for any unissued stock of the Company, the issuance of additional shares of authorized Common Stock that will become newly available as a result of the implementation of the Reverse Split will reduce the current stockholders’ percentage ownership interest in the total outstanding shares of Common Stock.
The Company may issue the additional shares of authorized Common Stock that will become available as a result of the Reverse Split without the additional approval of its stockholders.
The Reverse Split may result in some Stockholders owning “odd lots” of less than 100 shares of Common Stock. Odd lot shares may be more difficult to sell, and brokerage commissions and other costs of transactions in odd lots are generally somewhat higher than the costs of transactions in “round lots” of even multiples of 100 shares.
After the Effective Time, our Common Stock will have new Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures (CUSIP) numbers, which is a number used to identify our equity securities, and stock certificates with the older CUSIP numbers will need to be exchanged for stock certificates with the new CUSIP numbers by following the procedures described below. After the Reverse Split, we will continue to be subject to the periodic reporting and other requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Our Common Stock will continue to be listed on the NYSE American Exchange under the symbol “DSS”.
Beneficial Holders of Common Stock (i.e. Stockholders who hold in street name)
Upon the implementation of the Reverse Split, we intend to treat shares held by stockholders through a bank, broker, custodian or other nominee in the same manner as registered stockholders whose shares are registered in their names. Banks, brokers, custodians or other nominees will be instructed to effect the Reverse Split for their beneficial holders holding our Common Stock in street name. However, these banks, brokers, custodians or other nominees may have different procedures than registered stockholders for processing the Reverse Split. Stockholders who hold shares of our Common Stock with a bank, broker, custodian or other nominee and who have any questions in this regard are encouraged to contact their banks, brokers, custodians or other nominees.
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Registered “Book-Entry” Holders of Common Stock (i.e. Stockholders that are registered on the transfer agent’s books and records but do not hold stock certificates)
Certain of our registered holders of Common Stock may hold some or all of their shares electronically in book-entry form with the transfer agent. These Stockholders do not have stock certificates evidencing their ownership of the Common Stock. They are, however, provided with a statement reflecting the number of shares registered in their accounts.
Stockholders who hold shares electronically in book-entry form with the transfer agent will not need to take action (the exchange will be automatic) to receive whole shares of post-Reverse Split Common Stock, subject to adjustment for treatment of fractional shares.
Holders of Certificated Shares of Common Stock
Until surrendered, we will deem outstanding certificates representing shares of our Common Stock (the “Old Certificates”) held by Stockholders to be cancelled and only to represent the number of whole shares of post-Reverse Split Common Stock to which these Stockholders are entitled, subject to the treatment of fractional shares. Any Old Certificates submitted for exchange, whether because of a sale, transfer or other disposition of stock, will automatically be exchanged for certificates representing the appropriate number of whole shares of post-Reverse Stock Split Common Stock (the “New Certificates”). If an Old Certificate has a restrictive legend on the back of the Old Certificate(s), the New Certificate will be issued with the same restrictive legends that are on the back of the Old Certificate(s).
STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD NOT DESTROY ANY STOCK CERTIFICATE(S) AND SHOULD NOT SUBMIT ANY STOCK CERTIFICATE(S) UNTIL REQUESTED TO DO SO.
Fractional Shares
We do not currently intend to issue fractional shares in connection with the Reverse Split. Therefore, we will not issue certificates representing fractional shares. In lieu of issuing fractions of shares, we will round up to the next whole number.
Effect of the Reverse Stock Split on Employee Plans, Options, Restricted Stock Awards and Units, Warrants, and Convertible or Exchangeable Securities
Based upon the Reverse Split ratio determined by the Board, proportionate adjustments are generally required to be made to the per share exercise price and the number of shares issuable upon the exercise or conversion of all outstanding options, warrants, convertible or exchangeable securities entitling the holders to purchase, exchange for, or convert into, shares of Common Stock. This would result in approximately the same aggregate price being required to be paid under such options, warrants, convertible or exchangeable securities upon exercise, and approximately the same value of shares of Common Stock being delivered upon such exercise, exchange or conversion, immediately following the Reverse Split as was the case immediately preceding the Reverse Split. The number of shares deliverable upon settlement or vesting of restricted stock awards will be similarly adjusted, subject to our treatment of fractional shares. The number of shares reserved for issuance pursuant to these securities will be proportionately based upon the Reverse Split ratio determined by the Board, subject to our treatment of fractional shares.
Accounting Matters
The proposed amendment to the Company’s articles of incorporation will not affect the par value of our Common Stock per share, which will remain $0.02 par value per share. As a result, as of the Effective Time, the stated capital attributable to Common Stock and the additional paid-in capital account on our balance sheet will not change due to the Reverse Split. Reported per share net income or loss will be higher because there will be fewer shares of Common Stock outstanding.
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Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Reverse Stock Split
The following summary describes certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Split to holders of our Common Stock:
Unless otherwise specifically indicated herein, this summary addresses the tax consequences only to a beneficial owner of our Common Stock that is a citizen or individual resident of the United States, a corporation organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia or otherwise subject to U.S. federal income taxation on a net income basis in respect of our Common Stock (a “U.S. holder”). A trust may also be a U.S. holder if (1) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) it has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person. An estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source may also be a U.S. holder. This summary does not address all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to any particular investor, including tax considerations that arise from rules of general application to all taxpayers or to certain classes of taxpayers or that are generally assumed to be known by investors. This summary also does not address the tax consequences to (i) persons that may be subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax law, such as banks, insurance companies, thrift institutions, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, tax-exempt organizations, U.S. expatriates, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, traders in securities that elect to mark to market and dealers in securities or currencies, (ii) persons that hold our Common Stock as part of a position in a “straddle” or as part of a “hedging,” “conversion” or other integrated investment transaction for federal income tax purposes, or (iii) persons that do not hold our Common Stock as “capital assets” (generally, property held for investment).
If a partnership (or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is the beneficial owner of our Common Stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships that hold our Common Stock, and partners in such partnerships, should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Split.
This summary is based on the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, U.S. Treasury regulations, administrative rulings and judicial authority, all as in effect as of the date of this proxy statement. Subsequent developments in U.S. federal income tax law, including changes in law or differing interpretations, which may be applied retroactively, could have a material effect on the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Split.
PLEASE CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT IN YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE AND THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION.
U.S. Holders
The Reverse Split should be treated as a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Therefore, a stockholder generally will not recognize gain or loss on the Reverse Split, except to the extent of cash, if any, received in lieu of a fractional share interest in the post-Reverse Split shares. The aggregate tax basis of the post-split shares received will be equal to the aggregate tax basis of the pre-split shares exchanged therefore (excluding any portion of the holder’s basis allocated to fractional shares), and the holding period of the post-split shares received will include the holding period of the pre-split shares exchanged. A holder of the pre-split shares who receives cash will generally recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the portion of the tax basis of the pre-split shares allocated to the fractional share interest and the cash received. Such gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss and will be short term if the pre-split shares were held for one year or less and long term if held more than one year. No gain or loss will be recognized by us as a result of the Reverse Split.
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Board Recommendation
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO AUTHORIZE A REVERSE STOCK SPLIT OF OUR ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING COMMON STOCK.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
There are no proposals by any security holder which are or could have been included within this proxy statement.
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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of this Proxy Statement
We have opted to provide our materials pursuant to the full set delivery option in connection with the Special Meeting. Under the full set delivery option, a company delivers all proxy materials to its shareholders. The approximate date on which the proxy statement and proxy card are intended to be first sent or given to the Company’s shareholders is April 9, 2020. This delivery can be by mail or, if a shareholder has previously agreed, by e-mail. In addition to delivering proxy materials to shareholders, the Company must also post all proxy materials on a publicly accessible website and provide information to shareholders about how to access that website. Accordingly, you should have received our proxy materials by mail or, if you previously agreed, by e-mail. These proxy materials include the Notice of Special Meeting of Stockholders, proxy statement, and proxy card. These materials are available free of charge at www.proxyvote.com.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Company will pay the cost of soliciting proxies for the Special Meeting. In addition to solicitation by mail, directors, officers and regular employees of the Company and other authorized persons may solicit the return of proxies by telephone, telegram or personal interview. The Company will request brokerage houses, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward soliciting material to their principals and will agree to reimburse them for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
The Company has engaged The Proxy Advisory Group, LLC, to assist in the solicitation of proxies and provide related advice and informational support, for a services fee and the reimbursement of customary disbursements, which are not expected to exceed $15,000 in total.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
We are currently subject to the information requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and in accordance therewith file periodic reports, Proxy Statements and other information with the SEC relating to our business, financial statements and other matters. Copies of such reports, Proxy Statements and other information may be copied (at prescribed rates) at the public reference room maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at 100 F Street NE, Washington DC 20549. For further information concerning the SEC’s public reference room, you may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Some of this information may also be accessed on the World Wide Web through the SEC’s Internet address at http://www.sec.gov.
Requests for documents relating to the Company should be directed to:
DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.
200 Canal View Boulevard, Suite 300
Rochester, New York 14623
Attention: Frank D. Heuszel
* * *
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
/s/ Frank D. Heuszel
Frank D. Heuszel
Chief Executive Officer
Rochester, New York
March 27, 2020
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THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PROXY
FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.
TO BE HELD ON MAY 4, 2020
Frank D. Heuszel, with full power of substitution, hereby is authorized to vote as specified below or, with respect to any matter not set forth below, as he shall determine, all of the shares of common stock of Document Security Systems, Inc. that the undersigned would be entitled to vote, if personally present, at the special meeting of stockholders and any adjournment thereof.
Unless otherwise specified, this proxy will be voted FOR Approval of the Reverse Split. The board of directors recommends a vote FOR Approval of the Reverse Split.
1. APPROVAL OF THE REVERSE SPLIT IN THE AMOUNT OF 1-FOR-30
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
2. Please sign exactly as your name appears below. When shares are held by joint tenants, each should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, corporate officer, or partner, please give full title as such.
Date: __________, 2020
Signature
Signature if held jointly
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
Sign exactly as name(s) appear(s) on stock certificate(s). If stock is held jointly, each holder must sign. If signing is by attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, give full title as such. A corporation or partnership must sign by an authorized officer or general partner, respectively.
200 CANAL VIEW BOULEVARD, SUITE 300
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK 14623
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To be held May 4, 2020
To our Stockholders:
A special meeting of stockholders Document Security Systems, Inc., a New York corporation (the “Company” or “DSS” or “us” or “we” or “our”) will be held at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, 1601 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77380, on May 4, 2020 at 9.00 a.m. local time for the following purpose:
(1) To approve an amendment to our certificate of incorporation to effect a reverse split of our common stock by a ratio of 1-for-30 (the “Reverse Split”); and
(2) Transacting such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
The close of business on April 3, 2020 has been fixed as the record date (the “Record Date”) for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Stockholders holding a majority of our common stock outstanding as of the close of business on the Record Date must vote in favor of the Proposal to be approved by stockholders.
Our common stock may be delisted from the NYSE American LLC exchange (“NYSE American Exchange”) if our share price sells for a low price for a substantial period of time. Approval of the Reverse Split enables our board of directors (the “Board”) to judiciously select an appropriate Reverse Split ratio. Without approval of the Reverse Split Proposal, the Board of Directors will not be able to prevent the common stock from potentially being delisted from NYSE American Exchange, which will likely have very serious consequences for our company and our stockholders.
You are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person. However, to assure your representation at the meeting, please mark, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy as promptly as possible in the enclosed postage-prepaid envelope. If you attend the meeting you may vote in person, even if you returned a proxy. These proxy materials will be mailed on or about April 9, 2020 to the stockholders of record on the Record Date
By Order of the Board of Directors of Document Security Systems, Inc.
/s/ Heng Fai Ambrose Chan
Heng Fai Ambrose Chan
Chairman of the Board
WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN ON ATTENDING THE SPECIAL MEETING IN PERSON, PLEASE VOTE USING THE PROXY CARD AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE TO ENSURE THAT YOUR VOTE IS COUNTED.
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DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.
200 CANAL VIEW BOULEVARD, SUITE 300
ROCHESTER, NEW YORK 14623
PROXY STATEMENT
SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
We are furnishing this proxy statement to the holders of our common stock, par value $0.02 per share (the “Common Stock “), in connection with the solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Document Security Systems, Inc. (the “Company”), for use at a special meeting of stockholders (the “Special Meeting”) to be held at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center, 1601 Lake Robbins Drive, The Woodlands, Texas 77380 on May 4, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. local time, and any adjournment thereof, for the purpose of seeking approval of an amendment to our certificate of incorporation to effect a reverse split of our Common Stock by a ratio of 1-for-30 (the “Reverse Split”). Whether or not you expect to attend the special meeting in person, please vote by returning your executed proxy card in the enclosed envelope and the shares represented thereby will be voted in accordance with your instructions.
The purpose of the Reverse Split is to enable us to comply with the minimum continued listing standards of NYSE American Exchange compliance. We urge our stockholders to review the information set forth in this proxy statement, particularly under the heading “Approval of the Reverse Split”
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
Our Board is sending you this proxy statement to in connection with its solicitation of proxies on behalf of the Board for use at the Special Meeting to approve the Reverse Split. The Company will pay for the costs of solicitation. We will pay the reasonable expenses of brokers, nominees and similar record holders in mailing consent materials to beneficial owners of our Common Stock.
REVOCABILITY OF PROXY
Any stockholder executing a proxy that is solicited has the power to revoke it prior to the voting of the proxy. Revocation may be made by i) attending the Special Meeting and voting the shares of stock in person, ii) delivering to the Secretary of the Company at the principal office of the Company prior to the Special Meeting a written notice of revocation or a later-dated, properly executed proxy, iii) signing another proxy card with a later date and returning it before the polls close at the Special Meeting, or iv) voting again via the internet or by toll free telephone by following the instructions on the proxy card.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT VOTING
Record Date
Only the holders of record of our Common Stock at the close of business on the record date, April 3, 2020 (the “Record Date”), are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. As of March 27, 2020, there were 62,086,099 shares of our Common Stock outstanding. Stockholders are entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held on the record date.
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Voting
When a proxy is properly executed and returned (and not subsequently properly revoked), the shares it represents will be voted in accordance with the directions indicated thereon, or, if no direction is indicated thereon, it will be voted:
(1) FOR approval of the Reverse Split (the “Proposal”); and
(2) According to their judgment on the transaction of such matters or other business as may properly come up for vote at the Special Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.
Votes Required for Approval
The approval of the amendment to our certificate of incorporation to effect the Reverse Split requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our Common Stock entitled to be voted at the meeting. Abstentions are not treated as votes cast, and therefore will have the same effect of a vote against this proposal. We understand that certain brokerage firms have elected not to vote even on “routine” matters such as the Reverse Split without your voting instructions. If your brokerage firm has made this decision and you do not provide voting instructions, your vote will not be cast and will have the same effect of a vote against the Reverse Split. Accordingly, we urge you to provide instructions to your bank, brokerage firm, or other nominee by voting your proxy.
Broker Non-Votes
A “broker non-vote” occurs when a broker, bank, or other holder of record holding shares for a beneficial owner does not vote on a particular proposal because that holder (i) has not received instructions from the beneficial owner and (ii) does not have discretionary voting power for that particular item.
If you are a beneficial owner and you do not give instructions to your broker, bank, or other holder of record, such holder of record will be entitled to vote the shares with respect to “routine” items but will not be permitted to vote the shares with respect to “non-routine” items (those shares are treated as “broker non-votes”). If you are a beneficial owner, your broker, bank, or other holder of record generally has discretion to vote your shares on the proposal to approve the Reverse Split. However, we understand that certain brokerage firms have elected not to vote even on “routine” matters such as the Reverse Split without your voting instructions. Accordingly, we urge you to provide instructions to your bank, brokerage firm, or other nominee by voting your proxy to ensure that your shares will be voted in accordance with your wishes at the Special Meeting.
***
You can contact our corporate headquarters, at (585) 325-3610, or send a letter to: Investor Relations, Document Security Systems, Inc., 200 Canal View Boulevard, Suite 300, Rochester, New York 14623, with any questions about proposals described in this Proxy Statement or how to execute your vote.
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VOTING SECURITIES AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS THEREOF
Voting Securities
The number of outstanding shares of our Common Stock as of March 27, 2020, is 62,086,099.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth beneficial ownership of common stock as of March 27, 2020 by each person known by the Company to beneficially own more than 5% of the Common Stock, each director and each executive officer, and by all of the Company’s directors and executive officers as a group. Each person has sole voting and dispositive power over the shares listed opposite his or her name except as indicated in the footnotes to the table and each person’s address is c/o Document Security Systems, Inc., 200 Canal View Boulevard, Suite 300, Rochester, New York 14623.
For purposes of this table, beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission rules, and includes investment power with respect to shares owned and shares issuable pursuant to warrants or options exercisable within 60 days of March 27, 2020.
The percentages of shares beneficially owned are based on 62,086,099 shares of our common stock issued and outstanding as of March 27, 2020, and is calculated by dividing the number of shares that person beneficially owns by the sum of (a) the total number of shares outstanding on March 27, 2020, plus (b) the number of shares such person has the right to acquire within 60 days of March 27, 2020.
Name of Beneficial Owner Shares Percentage
Officers and Directors
Heng Fai Ambrose Chan (1) 22,954,670 39.1 %
Frank Heuszel 74,770 *
Sassuan Lee -
Jose Escudero -
John Thatch 30,575 *
Lowell Wai Wah 40,767 *
William Wu -
Jason Grady 74,770 *
All officers and directors as a group (8 persons) 23,175,552 39.4 %
%
* Less than 1%.
(1) Includes (a) 1,786,531 shares of Common Stock held by Heng Fai Holdings Limited; (b) 500,000 shares of Common Stock held by BMI Capital Partners International Limited; (c) 683,000 shares of Common Stock held by Hengfai Business Development Pte Ltd.; (d) 13,538,711 shares of Common Stock held individually by Heng Fai Ambrose Chan; and (e) 6,446,428 shares of Common Stock held by LiquidValue Development Pte Ltd.
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PROPOSAL— APPROVAL OF THE REVERSE SPLIT
General
Our Board has approved, subject to stockholder approval, an amendment to our certificate of incorporation to effect a Reverse Split of our issued and outstanding Common Stock by a ratio of 1-for-30. The primary reason for the Reverse Split is to enable us to comply with the minimum continued listing standards of the NYSE American Exchange. Our Common Stock may be delisted from NYSE American Exchange if we do not receive stockholder approval to effect the Reverse Split.
The form of the proposed amendment to the Company’s certificate of incorporation to effect a Reverse Split of our issued and outstanding Common Stock (subject to any changes required by applicable law). If approved by our Stockholders, the Reverse Split proposal would permit (but not require) our Board to effect a Reverse Split of our issued and outstanding Common Stock at any time prior to May 31, 2020 by a ratio of 1-for-30. In determining the ratio, our Board considered, among other things, factors such as:
● the listing requirements of the NYSE American Exchange;
● the historical trading price and trading volume of our Common Stock;
● the number of shares of our Common Stock outstanding;
● the prevailing trading price and trading volume of our Common Stock and the anticipated impact of the Reverse Split on the trading market for our Common Stock;
● the anticipated impact of a particular ratio on our ability to reduce administrative and transactional costs; and
● prevailing general market and economic conditions.
Our Board reserves the right to elect to abandon the Reverse Split, including any or all proposed reverse stock split ratios, if it determines, in its sole discretion, that the Reverse Split is no longer in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
As a result of the Result Split, every thirty shares of existing Common Stock will be combined into one share of Common Stock. Any fractional shares will be rounded up to the next whole number. The amendment to our articles of incorporation to effect a reverse stock split, if any, will include only the reverse stock split ratio determined by our Board to be in the best interests of our stockholders and all of the other proposed amendments at different ratios will be abandoned.
Background and Reasons for the Reverse Stock Split; Potential Consequences of the Reverse Stock Split
Our Board is submitting the Reverse Split to our stockholders for approval with the primary intent to enable us to comply with the minimum continued listing standards of the NYSE American Exchange, as well as to make our Common Stock more attractive to a broader range of institutional and other investors. In addition to increasing the market price of our Common Stock, the Reverse Split would also reduce certain of our costs, as discussed below. Accordingly, for these and other reasons discussed below, we believe that effecting the Reverse Split is in the Company’s and our stockholders’ best interests.
We believe that the Reverse Split enable us to comply with the minimum continued listing standards of the NYSE American Exchange. The NYSE American Exchange reserves the right to delist the Company if our Common Stock sells for a low price for a substantial period of time. Reducing the number of outstanding shares of our Common Stock should, absent other factors, increase the per share market price of our Common Stock.
Additionally, we believe that the Reverse Split will make our Common Stock more attractive to a broader range of institutional and other investors, as we believe that the current market price of our Common Stock may affect its acceptability to certain institutional investors, professional investors and other members of the investing public. Many brokerage houses and institutional investors have internal policies and practices that either prohibit them from investing in low-priced stocks or tend to discourage individual brokers from recommending low-priced stocks to their customers. In addition, some of those policies and practices may function to make the processing of trades in low-priced stocks economically unattractive to brokers. Moreover, because brokers’ commissions on low-priced stocks generally represent a higher percentage of the stock price than commissions on higher-priced stocks, the current average price per share of common stock can result in individual stockholders paying transaction costs representing a higher percentage of their total share value than would be the case if the share price were substantially higher. We believe that the Reverse Split will make our Common Stock a more attractive and cost effective investment for many investors, which will enhance the liquidity of the holders of our Common Stock.
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Reducing the number of outstanding shares of our Common Stock through the Reverse Split is intended, absent other factors, to increase the per share market price of our Common Stock. However, other factors, such as our financial results, market conditions and the market perception of our business may adversely affect the market price of our Common Stock. As a result, there can be no assurance that the Reverse Split, if completed, will result in the intended benefits described above, that the market price of our Common Stock will increase following the Reverse Split or that the market price of our Common Stock will not decrease in the future. Additionally, we cannot assure you that the market price per share of our Common Stock after a Reverse Split will increase in proportion to the reduction in the number of shares of our Common Stock outstanding before the Reverse Split. Accordingly, the total market capitalization of our Common Stock after the Reverse Stock Split may be lower than the total market capitalization before the Reverse Split.
Procedure for Implementing the Reverse Split
The Reverse Split, if approved by our stockholders, would become effective upon the filing (the “Effective Time”) of a certificate of amendment to our articles of incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of New York. The exact timing of the filing of the certificate of amendment that will affect the Reverse Split will be determined by our board of directors based on its evaluation as to when such action will be the most advantageous to the Company and our stockholders. In addition, our board of directors reserves the right, notwithstanding stockholder approval and without further action by the stockholders, to elect not to proceed with the Reverse Split if, at any time prior to filing the amendment to the Company’s articles of incorporation, our board of directors, in its sole discretion, determines that it is no longer in our best interest and the best interests of our stockholders to proceed with the Reverse Split. If a certificate of amendment effecting the Reverse Split has not been filed with the Secretary of State of the State of New York by the close of business on May 31, 2020, our board of directors will abandon the Reverse Split.
Effect of the Reverse Split on Holders of Outstanding Common Stock
As a result of the Reverse Split, every thirty shares of existing Common Stock will be combined into one new share of Common Stock. The table below shows, as of March 27, 2020, the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock that will result from the Reverse Stock Split (without giving effect to the treatment of fractional shares):
Reverse Stock Split Ratio
Approximate
Number of
Outstanding Shares
of Common Stock
Following the
Reverse
Stock Split
1-for-30 2,069,537
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The Reverse Split will affect all holders of our Common Stock uniformly and will not affect any Stockholder’s percentage ownership interest in the Company, except that as described below in “Fractional Shares,” record holders of Common Stock otherwise entitled to a fractional share as a result of the Reverse Split will be rounded up to the next whole number. In addition, the Reverse Split will not affect any Stockholder’s proportionate voting power (subject to the treatment of fractional shares).
The implementation of the Reverse Split will result in an increased number of available authorized shares of Common Stock. The resulting increase in such availability in the authorized number of shares of Common Stock could have a number of effects on the Company’s stockholders depending upon the exact nature and circumstances of any actual issuances of authorized but unissued shares. The increase in available authorized shares for issuance could have an anti-takeover effect, in that additional shares could be issued (within the limits imposed by applicable law) in one or more transactions that could make a change in control or takeover of the Company more difficult. For example, additional shares could be issued by the Company so as to dilute the stock ownership or voting rights of persons seeking to obtain control of the Company, even if the persons seeking to obtain control of the Company offer an above-market premium that is favored by a majority of the independent shareholders. Similarly, the issuance of additional shares to certain persons allied with the Company’s management could have the effect of making it more difficult to remove the Company’s current management by diluting the stock ownership or voting rights of persons seeking to cause such removal. The Company does not have any other provisions in its articles of incorporation, Bylaws, employment agreements, credit agreements or any other documents that have material anti-takeover consequences. Additionally, the Company has no plans or proposals to adopt other provisions or enter into other arrangements that may have material anti-takeover consequences. The Board is not aware of any attempt, or contemplated attempt, to acquire control of the Company, and this proposal is not being presented with the intent that it be utilized as a type of anti- takeover device.
Additionally, because holders of Common Stock have no preemptive rights to purchase or subscribe for any unissued stock of the Company, the issuance of additional shares of authorized Common Stock that will become newly available as a result of the implementation of the Reverse Split will reduce the current stockholders’ percentage ownership interest in the total outstanding shares of Common Stock.
The Company may issue the additional shares of authorized Common Stock that will become available as a result of the Reverse Split without the additional approval of its stockholders.
The Reverse Split may result in some Stockholders owning “odd lots” of less than 100 shares of Common Stock. Odd lot shares may be more difficult to sell, and brokerage commissions and other costs of transactions in odd lots are generally somewhat higher than the costs of transactions in “round lots” of even multiples of 100 shares.
After the Effective Time, our Common Stock will have new Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures (CUSIP) numbers, which is a number used to identify our equity securities, and stock certificates with the older CUSIP numbers will need to be exchanged for stock certificates with the new CUSIP numbers by following the procedures described below. After the Reverse Split, we will continue to be subject to the periodic reporting and other requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Our Common Stock will continue to be listed on the NYSE American Exchange under the symbol “DSS”.
Beneficial Holders of Common Stock (i.e. Stockholders who hold in street name)
Upon the implementation of the Reverse Split, we intend to treat shares held by stockholders through a bank, broker, custodian or other nominee in the same manner as registered stockholders whose shares are registered in their names. Banks, brokers, custodians or other nominees will be instructed to effect the Reverse Split for their beneficial holders holding our Common Stock in street name. However, these banks, brokers, custodians or other nominees may have different procedures than registered stockholders for processing the Reverse Split. Stockholders who hold shares of our Common Stock with a bank, broker, custodian or other nominee and who have any questions in this regard are encouraged to contact their banks, brokers, custodians or other nominees.
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Registered “Book-Entry” Holders of Common Stock (i.e. Stockholders that are registered on the transfer agent’s books and records but do not hold stock certificates)
Certain of our registered holders of Common Stock may hold some or all of their shares electronically in book-entry form with the transfer agent. These Stockholders do not have stock certificates evidencing their ownership of the Common Stock. They are, however, provided with a statement reflecting the number of shares registered in their accounts.
Stockholders who hold shares electronically in book-entry form with the transfer agent will not need to take action (the exchange will be automatic) to receive whole shares of post-Reverse Split Common Stock, subject to adjustment for treatment of fractional shares.
Holders of Certificated Shares of Common Stock
Until surrendered, we will deem outstanding certificates representing shares of our Common Stock (the “Old Certificates”) held by Stockholders to be cancelled and only to represent the number of whole shares of post-Reverse Split Common Stock to which these Stockholders are entitled, subject to the treatment of fractional shares. Any Old Certificates submitted for exchange, whether because of a sale, transfer or other disposition of stock, will automatically be exchanged for certificates representing the appropriate number of whole shares of post-Reverse Stock Split Common Stock (the “New Certificates”). If an Old Certificate has a restrictive legend on the back of the Old Certificate(s), the New Certificate will be issued with the same restrictive legends that are on the back of the Old Certificate(s).
STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD NOT DESTROY ANY STOCK CERTIFICATE(S) AND SHOULD NOT SUBMIT ANY STOCK CERTIFICATE(S) UNTIL REQUESTED TO DO SO.
Fractional Shares
We do not currently intend to issue fractional shares in connection with the Reverse Split. Therefore, we will not issue certificates representing fractional shares. In lieu of issuing fractions of shares, we will round up to the next whole number.
Effect of the Reverse Stock Split on Employee Plans, Options, Restricted Stock Awards and Units, Warrants, and Convertible or Exchangeable Securities
Based upon the Reverse Split ratio determined by the Board, proportionate adjustments are generally required to be made to the per share exercise price and the number of shares issuable upon the exercise or conversion of all outstanding options, warrants, convertible or exchangeable securities entitling the holders to purchase, exchange for, or convert into, shares of Common Stock. This would result in approximately the same aggregate price being required to be paid under such options, warrants, convertible or exchangeable securities upon exercise, and approximately the same value of shares of Common Stock being delivered upon such exercise, exchange or conversion, immediately following the Reverse Split as was the case immediately preceding the Reverse Split. The number of shares deliverable upon settlement or vesting of restricted stock awards will be similarly adjusted, subject to our treatment of fractional shares. The number of shares reserved for issuance pursuant to these securities will be proportionately based upon the Reverse Split ratio determined by the Board, subject to our treatment of fractional shares.
Accounting Matters
The proposed amendment to the Company’s articles of incorporation will not affect the par value of our Common Stock per share, which will remain $0.02 par value per share. As a result, as of the Effective Time, the stated capital attributable to Common Stock and the additional paid-in capital account on our balance sheet will not change due to the Reverse Split. Reported per share net income or loss will be higher because there will be fewer shares of Common Stock outstanding.
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Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Reverse Stock Split
The following summary describes certain material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Split to holders of our Common Stock:
Unless otherwise specifically indicated herein, this summary addresses the tax consequences only to a beneficial owner of our Common Stock that is a citizen or individual resident of the United States, a corporation organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia or otherwise subject to U.S. federal income taxation on a net income basis in respect of our Common Stock (a “U.S. holder”). A trust may also be a U.S. holder if (1) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over administration of such trust and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) it has a valid election in place to be treated as a U.S. person. An estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source may also be a U.S. holder. This summary does not address all of the tax consequences that may be relevant to any particular investor, including tax considerations that arise from rules of general application to all taxpayers or to certain classes of taxpayers or that are generally assumed to be known by investors. This summary also does not address the tax consequences to (i) persons that may be subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax law, such as banks, insurance companies, thrift institutions, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts, tax-exempt organizations, U.S. expatriates, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax, traders in securities that elect to mark to market and dealers in securities or currencies, (ii) persons that hold our Common Stock as part of a position in a “straddle” or as part of a “hedging,” “conversion” or other integrated investment transaction for federal income tax purposes, or (iii) persons that do not hold our Common Stock as “capital assets” (generally, property held for investment).
If a partnership (or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) is the beneficial owner of our Common Stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships that hold our Common Stock, and partners in such partnerships, should consult their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Split.
This summary is based on the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, U.S. Treasury regulations, administrative rulings and judicial authority, all as in effect as of the date of this proxy statement. Subsequent developments in U.S. federal income tax law, including changes in law or differing interpretations, which may be applied retroactively, could have a material effect on the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Split.
PLEASE CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT IN YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE AND THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION.
U.S. Holders
The Reverse Split should be treated as a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Therefore, a stockholder generally will not recognize gain or loss on the Reverse Split, except to the extent of cash, if any, received in lieu of a fractional share interest in the post-Reverse Split shares. The aggregate tax basis of the post-split shares received will be equal to the aggregate tax basis of the pre-split shares exchanged therefore (excluding any portion of the holder’s basis allocated to fractional shares), and the holding period of the post-split shares received will include the holding period of the pre-split shares exchanged. A holder of the pre-split shares who receives cash will generally recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the portion of the tax basis of the pre-split shares allocated to the fractional share interest and the cash received. Such gain or loss will be a capital gain or loss and will be short term if the pre-split shares were held for one year or less and long term if held more than one year. No gain or loss will be recognized by us as a result of the Reverse Split.
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Board Recommendation
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO AUTHORIZE A REVERSE STOCK SPLIT OF OUR ISSUED AND OUTSTANDING COMMON STOCK.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
There are no proposals by any security holder which are or could have been included within this proxy statement.
****
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of this Proxy Statement
We have opted to provide our materials pursuant to the full set delivery option in connection with the Special Meeting. Under the full set delivery option, a company delivers all proxy materials to its shareholders. The approximate date on which the proxy statement and proxy card are intended to be first sent or given to the Company’s shareholders is April 9, 2020. This delivery can be by mail or, if a shareholder has previously agreed, by e-mail. In addition to delivering proxy materials to shareholders, the Company must also post all proxy materials on a publicly accessible website and provide information to shareholders about how to access that website. Accordingly, you should have received our proxy materials by mail or, if you previously agreed, by e-mail. These proxy materials include the Notice of Special Meeting of Stockholders, proxy statement, and proxy card. These materials are available free of charge at www.proxyvote.com.
MISCELLANEOUS
The Company will pay the cost of soliciting proxies for the Special Meeting. In addition to solicitation by mail, directors, officers and regular employees of the Company and other authorized persons may solicit the return of proxies by telephone, telegram or personal interview. The Company will request brokerage houses, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to forward soliciting material to their principals and will agree to reimburse them for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
The Company has engaged The Proxy Advisory Group, LLC, to assist in the solicitation of proxies and provide related advice and informational support, for a services fee and the reimbursement of customary disbursements, which are not expected to exceed $15,000 in total.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
We are currently subject to the information requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and in accordance therewith file periodic reports, Proxy Statements and other information with the SEC relating to our business, financial statements and other matters. Copies of such reports, Proxy Statements and other information may be copied (at prescribed rates) at the public reference room maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at 100 F Street NE, Washington DC 20549. For further information concerning the SEC’s public reference room, you may call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. Some of this information may also be accessed on the World Wide Web through the SEC’s Internet address at http://www.sec.gov.
Requests for documents relating to the Company should be directed to:
DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.
200 Canal View Boulevard, Suite 300
Rochester, New York 14623
Attention: Frank D. Heuszel
* * *
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
/s/ Frank D. Heuszel
Frank D. Heuszel
Chief Executive Officer
Rochester, New York
March 27, 2020
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THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PROXY
FOR THE SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF DOCUMENT SECURITY SYSTEMS, INC.
TO BE HELD ON MAY 4, 2020
Frank D. Heuszel, with full power of substitution, hereby is authorized to vote as specified below or, with respect to any matter not set forth below, as he shall determine, all of the shares of common stock of Document Security Systems, Inc. that the undersigned would be entitled to vote, if personally present, at the special meeting of stockholders and any adjournment thereof.
Unless otherwise specified, this proxy will be voted FOR Approval of the Reverse Split. The board of directors recommends a vote FOR Approval of the Reverse Split.
1. APPROVAL OF THE REVERSE SPLIT IN THE AMOUNT OF 1-FOR-30
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
2. Please sign exactly as your name appears below. When shares are held by joint tenants, each should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, corporate officer, or partner, please give full title as such.
Date: __________, 2020
Signature
Signature if held jointly
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
Sign exactly as name(s) appear(s) on stock certificate(s). If stock is held jointly, each holder must sign. If signing is by attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, give full title as such. A corporation or partnership must sign by an authorized officer or general partner, respectively.
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