Organization

Our business is to acquire patents and patent rights and to monetize the value of those assets to generate revenue and profit for the Company.  We acquire patents and patent rights from their owners, who range from individual inventors to Fortune 500 companies.  Part of our acquisition strategy is to acquire or invest in patents and patent rights that cover a wide-range of subject matter, which allows us to achieve the benefits of a growing diversified portfolio of assets.  Generally, the patents and patent rights that we acquire are characterized by having large identifiable companies who are or have been using technology that infringes our patents and patent rights.  We generally monetize our portfolio of patents and patent rights by entering into license discussions, and if that is unsuccessful, initiating enforcement activities against any infringing parties with the objective of entering into a standard form of comprehensive settlement and license agreement that may include the granting of non-exclusive retroactive and future rights to use the patented technology, a covenant not to sue, a release of the party from certain claims, the dismissal of any pending litigation and other terms that are appropriate in the circumstances.  Our strategy has been developed with the expectation that it will result in a long-term, diversified revenue stream for the Company.

Marathon Patent Group, Inc. (the “Company”), formerly American Strategic Minerals Corporation, was incorporated under the laws of the State of Nevada on February 23, 2010.

On December 7, 2011, the Company changed its name to “American Strategic Minerals Corporation” from “Verve Ventures, Inc.”, and increase the Company’s authorized capital to 200,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, and 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share. During June 2012, the Company discontinued its exploration and potential development of uranium and vanadium minerals business. In November 2012, the Company discontinued its real estate business.

On August 1, 2012, the shareholders holding a majority of the Company’s voting capital voted in favor of (i) changing the name of the Company to “Fidelity Property Group, Inc.” and (ii) the adoption the 2012 Equity Incentive Plan and reserving 20,000,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance thereunder (the “2012 Plan”).  The board of directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) approved the name change and the adoption of the 2012 Plan on August 1, 2012. The Company did not file an amendment to its Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of Nevada and subsequently abandoned the decision to adopt the “Fidelity Property Group, Inc.” name.

On October 1, 2012, the shareholders holding a majority of the Company’s voting capital had voted and authorized the Company to (i) change the name of the Company to Marathon Patent Group, Inc. (the “Name Change”) and (ii) effectuate a reverse stock split of the Company’s Common Stock by a ratio of 3-for-2 (the “Reverse Split”) within one year from the date of approval of the stockholders of the Company.  The Board of Directors approved the Name Change and the Reverse Split on October 1, 2012. The Board of Directors determined the name “Marathon Patent Group, Inc.” better reflects the long-term strategy in exploring other opportunities and the identity of the Company going forward.  On February 15, 2013, the Company filed the Certificate of Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada in order to effectuate the Name Change. On May 31, 2013, shareholders of record holding a majority of the outstanding voting capital of the Company approved a reverse stock split of the Company’s issued and outstanding Common Stock by a ratio of not less than one-for-five and not more than one-for-fifteen at any time prior to April 30, 2014, with such ratio to be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors, in its sole discretion. On June 24, 2013, the reverse stock split ratio of one (1) for thirteen (13) basis was approved by the Board of Directors. On July 18, 2013, the Company filed a certificate of amendment to its Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada in order to effectuate a reverse stock split of the Company’s issued and outstanding Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share on a one (1) for thirteen (13) basis. All share and per share values for all periods presented in the accompanying consolidated financial statements are retroactively restated for the effect of the reverse stock split. 

On March 6, 2013, the Company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Augme Agreement”) with Augme Technologies (“Seller”) whereby Seller agreed to sell to the Company certain office equipment, data, documentation, and business information related to the Seller’s business and assign agreements and prospective clients and business opportunities to the Company. In consideration for the assets and assigned agreements, the Company paid $10,000 at closing and provides litigation assistance as defined in the Agreement. As additional consideration, the Company also entered into a 2 year Service Agreement (the “Service Agreement”) with the Seller whereby the Seller shall engage the Company to provide consulting services including patent litigation matters, sale, license involving the Seller’s intellectual property and general consulting services to continue the Seller’s business operations. The Company recorded the $10,000 payment which was primarily attributable to property and equipment. Additionally, the Company assumed an office lease agreement that expired in July 2013.

On April 16, 2013, the Company through its subsidiary, Relay IP, Inc. acquired a US patent for $350,000.

On April 22, 2013, CyberFone Acquisition Corp. (“Acquisition Corp.”), a Texas corporation and newly formed wholly owned subsidiary of the Company entered into a merger agreement (the “CyberFone Agreement”) with CyberFone Systems LLC, a Texas limited liability company (“CyberFone Systems”), TechDev Holdings LLC (“TechDev”) and The Spangenberg Family Foundation for the Benefit of Children’s Healthcare and Education (“Spangenberg Foundation”).  TechDev and Spangenberg Foundation owned 100% of the membership interests of CyberFone Systems (collectively, the “CyberFone Sellers”).  In the transaction, the Company acquired 10 US patents, 27 foreign patents and 1 patent pending from CyberFone Systems valued at $1,135,512 (see note 3).

On May 6, 2013, in connection with the closing of a settlement and license agreement, the Company agreed to settle and release a certain defendant for past and future use of the Company’s patents. The defendant agreed to assign and transfer 3 US patents and rights valued at $1,000,000 in lieu of an additional cash payment, which amount has been included in the Company’s revenue during the year ended December 31, 2013.

In September 2013, the Company acquired 14 US patents for a total purchase price of $1,100,000.

On November 13, 2013, the Company acquired four patents for 150,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, which the Company valued at $718,500 based on the fair market value of the stock issued.

On December 16, 2013, the Company acquired certain patents from Delphi Technologies, Inc. for $1,700,000 pursuant to a Patent Purchase Agreement entered into on October 31, 2013 and Amended on December 16, 2013.

On December 22, 2013, in connection with a settlement and license agreement, the Company agreed to settle and release another defendant for past and future use of the Company’s patents, whereby the defendant agreed to assign and transfer 2 US patents and rights to the Company. The Company valued the two patents at an aggregate of $700,000 and included that amount in revenue during the year ended December 31, 2013.

On April 22, 2014, the Company issued 300,000 shares, valued at $718,500, of Restricted Common Stock to TT IP LLC in consideration of acquisition of patents on November 13, 2013.

On May 1, 2014, the Company issued 2,047,158 shares of Series A Convertible Preferred Stock and warrants to purchase an aggregate of 511,790 shares of Common Stock in a private placement to accredited investors. All of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock was automatically converted pursuant to the terms of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock Certificate of Designation during the year ended December 31, 2014. The exercise price of the warrants is $3.75, after giving effect to the 2:1 stock dividend issued on December 22, 2014.

On May 2, 2014, the Company issued an aggregate of 782,000 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock valued at $2,807,380 to acquire IP Liquidity Ventures, LLC, Dynamic Advances, LLC and Sarif Biomedical, LLC.

On June 2, 2014, the Company issued 48,078 shares of unrestricted Common Stock to an investor in the May 2013 private placement, pursuant to the exercise of a warrant received in the May 2013 private placement.

On June 30, 2014, the Company issued 200,000 shares of Restricted Common Stock in the acquisition of Selene Communications Technologies, LLC. In connection with this transaction, the Company valued the shares at the fair market value on the date of grant at $4.90 per share or $980,000.

On July 18, 2014, the Company issues a total of 26,722 shares of Common Stock pursuant to the exercise of stock options held by a former member of the Company’s Board of Directors and the Company’s former Chief Financial Officer.

On August 29, 2014, the Company entered into a patent purchase agreement to acquire a portfolio of patents from Clouding IP, LLC for an aggregate purchase price of $2.4 million, of which $1.4 million was paid in cash and $1.0 million was paid in the form of a promissory note issued by the Company that matures on October 31, 2014. The Company also issued 25,000 shares of its restricted common stock valued at $281,000 in connection with the acquisition. Clouding IP, LLC is also entitled to certain possible future cash payments. Clouding IP LLC is owned or controlled by Erich Spangenberg or family members or associates.

On September 16, 2014, the Company issued to two of its independent board members, in lieu of cash compensation, 6,178 shares valued at $45,995 of Restricted Common Stock to each of its directors.  The shares shall vest quarterly over twelve (12) months commencing on the date of grant and $13,415 in expense was recognized in 2014 for each of the two grants.

On September 17, 2014, the Company entered into a consulting agreement (the “Consulting Agreement”) with GRQ Consultants, Inc. (“GRQ”), pursuant to which GRQ shall provide certain consulting services including, but not limited to, advertising, marketing, business development, strategic and business planning, channel partner development and other functions intended to advance the business of the Company.  As consideration, GRQ shall be entitled to 200,000 shares of the Company’s Series B Convertible Preferred Stock, 50% of which vested upon execution of the Consulting Agreement, and 50% of which shall vest in six (6) equal monthly installments of commencing on October 17, 2014.  The first tranche of 100,000 shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock was issued to GRQ on October 6, 2014 and 150,000 shares in total, for a value of $1,103,581, was issued in 2014. In addition, the Consulting Agreement allows for GRQ to receive additional shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock upon the achievement of certain performance benchmarks. All shares of Series B Convertible Preferred Stock issuable to GRQ shall be pursuant to the 2014 Plan and shall be subject to shareholder approval of the 2014 Plan on or prior to September 16, 2015. The Consulting Agreement contains an acknowledgement that the conversion of the preferred stock into shares of the Company’s Common Stock is precluded by the equity blockers set forth in the certificate of designation and in Section 17 of the 2014 Plan to ensure compliance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(d). Every share of Series B Preferred Stock may be converted into two shares of Common Stock, after giving effect to the 2:1 stock dividend issued on December 22, 1014.

On September 19, 2014, the Company authorized the issuance of 120,000 shares of Common Stock to the sellers of TLI Communications LLC. The Company valued the Common Stock at the fair market value on the date of the Interests Sale Agreement at $6.815 per share or $818,000.

On September 30, 2014, the Company issued 50,000 shares of Restricted Common Stock in the acquisition of the assets of Clouding IP, LLC. In connection with this transaction, the Company valued the shares at the quoted market price on the date of grant at $5.62 per share or $281,000.

On October 10, 2014, the Company entered into an interest sale agreement with MedTech Development, LLC (“MedTech”) to acquire from MedTech 100% of the limited liability membership interests of OrthoPhoenix and TLIF as well as 100% of the shares of MedTech GmbH.  In connection with the transaction, the Company paid MedTech $1 million at closing and is obligated to $1 million on each of the following nine (9) month anniversary dates of the closing.  The acquired subsidiaries are also obligated to make certain additional payments to MedTech from recoveries following the receipt by the acquired subsidiaries of 200% of the purchase payments, plus recovery of out of pocket expenses in connection with patent claims.  The participation payments may be paid, at the election of the Company, in common stock of Marathon at the market price on the date of issuance.

On October 16, 2014, the Company sold to certain accredited investors an aggregate of $5,550,000 of principal amount of convertible notes due October 9, 2018 along with two-year warrants to purchase 258,998 shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share pursuant to a securities purchase agreement.  The warrants were valued at $169,015 and were recorded as a discount to the fair value of the convertible notes. The notes and warrants are initially convertible into shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a conversion price of $7.50 per share and an exercise price of $8.25 per share, respectively.  The conversion and exercise prices are subject to adjustment in the event of certain events, including stock splits and dividends.    The Notes bear interest at the rate of 11% per annum, payable quarterly in cash on each of the three, six, nine and twelve month anniversary of the issuance date and on each conversion date. The Company reviewed the instruments in the context of ASC 480 and determined that the convertible notes should be recorded as a liability and analyzed the conversion feature and bifurcation pursuant to ASC 815 and ASC 470, respectively, to determine that the was no beneficial conversion feature and that the convertible notes and warrants should not be bifurcated.

For the three months ended December 31, 2014, certain holders of warrants exercised their warrants in exchange for 29,230 shares of the Company’s Common Stock.