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Aware
Annual Report 2013

AWRE · NASDAQ Technology
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Employees 51-200
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FY2013 Annual Report · Aware
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2013 Annual Report

Aware, Inc., 40 Middlesex Turnpike, Bedford, MA  01730-1432 USA

T (781) 276-4000    |    F (781) 276-4001    |    www.aware.com

 UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION 
Washington, D.C. 20549 

FORM 10-K 
Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of The  
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 

Commission file number 000-21129 
AWARE, INC. 

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) 

Massachusetts     

            (State or Other Jurisdiction of 
         Incorporation or Organization)

                        (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 

 04-2911026 

40 Middlesex Turnpike, Bedford, Massachusetts  01730
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) 
(Zip Code) 

(781) 276-4000 
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code) 

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

Title of Each Class                                               Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered 
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share          The Nasdaq Global Market 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes [  ]   No [X] 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. 
Yes [  ]  No [X] 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such 
filing requirements for the past 90 days.   

  Yes [X]     No [  ] 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File 
required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such 
shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes [X ] No [   ] 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to 
the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any 
amendment to this Form 10-K.  [X] 

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

Large Accelerated Filer___    Accelerated Filer_X_   Non-Accelerated Filer___ Smaller Reporting Company ___ 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes [  ]    No [X]  

As of June 30, 2013 the aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant, based on the closing sale price 
as reported on the Nasdaq Global Market, was approximately $66,554,082.  

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of February 7, 2014 was 22,624,375 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 

Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement to be delivered to shareholders in connection with the registrant’s Annual
Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 21, 2014 are incorporated by reference into Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

 
 
   
       
   
            
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AWARE, INC. 
FORM 10-K 
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

PART I

Item 1. 
Item 1A. 
Item 1B. 
Item 2. 
Item 3. 
Item 4. 

Item 5. 

Item 6. 
Item 7. 

Item 7A. 
Item 8. 
Item 9. 

Item 9A. 
Item 9B. 

Item 10. 
Item 11. 
Item 12.  

Item 13. 
Item 14. 

Business ................................................................................................................................... 
Risk Factors ............................................................................................................................. 
Unresolved Staff Comments .................................................................................................... 
Properties ................................................................................................................................. 
Legal Proceedings .................................................................................................................... 
  Mine Safety Disclosures .......................................................................................................... 

PART II 

  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases 
of Equity Securities ..................................................................................................................
Selected Financial Data ............................................................................................................ 

  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results  

of Operations ............................................................................................................................
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk ................................................. 
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data ........................................................................ 
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial 
Disclosure ................................................................................................................................
Controls and Procedures .......................................................................................................... 
Other Information .................................................................................................................... 

PART III 

Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance ....................................................... 
Executive Compensation .......................................................................................................... 
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder 
Matters .....................................................................................................................................
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence ......................... 
Principal Accountant Fees and Services .................................................................................. 

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12
17
18
18
18

19

21

22
34
35

58
58
58

59
59

59
59
59

Item 15. 

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedule ............................................................................. 

60 

PART IV

Signatures ............................................................................................................................................................... 

62 

2

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
PART I 

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS 

Matters discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K relating to future events or our future performance, including 
any  discussion,  express or  implied,  of our  anticipated  growth,  operating  results,  future  earnings  per  share,  market 
opportunity,  plans  and  objectives,  are  “forward-looking  statements”  within  the  meaning  of  Section  27A  of  the 
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These 
statements  are  often  identified  by  the  words  “may,”  “will,”  “expect,”  “believe,”  “anticipate,”  “intend,”  “could,” 
“estimate,”  or  “continue,”  and  similar  expressions  or  variations.  Such  forward-looking  statements  are  subject  to 
risks,  uncertainties  and  other  factors  that  could  cause  actual  results  and  the  timing  of  certain  events  to  differ 
materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or 
contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors,” set 
forth in Item 1A of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and elsewhere in this Report. The forward-looking statements 
in this Annual Report on Form 10-K represent our views as of the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We 
anticipate that subsequent events and developments will cause our views to change. However, while we may elect to 
update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, we have no current intention of doing so except 
to  the  extent  required  by  applicable  law.  You  should,  therefore,  not  rely  on  these  forward-looking  statements  as 
representing our views as of any date subsequent to the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

ITEM 1.   BUSINESS

Company Overview  

Aware, Inc. (“Aware”, “we”, “us”, “our”, or the “Company”) is a leading provider of software and services to the 
biometrics  industry.    We  have  been  engaged  in  this  business  since  1993.    Our  software  products  are  used  in 
government  and  commercial  biometrics  systems,  which  are  capable  of  determining  or  verifying  an  individual’s 
identity. The principal applications of biometrics systems include border control, law enforcement, national defense, 
secure credentialing, access control and background checks.  

Our  products  provide  interoperable,  standards-compliant,  field-proven  biometric  functionality  and  are  used  to 
capture,  verify,  format,  compress  and  decompress  biometric  images  as  well  as  aggregate,  analyze,  process  and 
transport those images within biometric systems. We sell a broad range of software products for fingerprint, facial, 
and  iris  modalities.  We  also  offer  engineering  services  related  to  software  customization,  integration,  and 
installation,  as  well  as  complete  systems  development.  We  sell  our  biometrics  software  products  and  services 
globally through systems integrators, OEMs, and directly to end user customers.  

Aware  was  incorporated  in  Massachusetts  in  1986.    We are  headquartered  at  40  Middlesex  Turnpike  in  Bedford, 
Massachusetts,  and  our  telephone  number  at  this  address  is  (781)  276-4000.    Our  website  address  is 
www.aware.com.  The information on our website is not part of this Form 10-K, unless expressly noted.  Our stock 
is traded on the Nasdaq Global Market under the symbol AWRE. 

Industry Background 

Biometrics is the measurement of unique, individual physiological characteristics, such as fingerprints, faces, irises, 
and  voices,  that  can  be  used  to  determine  or  verify  an  individual’s  identity.  The  biometrics  industry  offers 
technology  that  digitally  captures  and  encodes  biometric  characteristics  and  then  compares  those  characteristics 
against previously encoded biometric data to determine or verify an individual’s identity. Biometrics addresses the 
limitations inherent in traditional identification and authentication processes, such as paper credentials, passwords, 
PIN codes and magnetic access cards.  

The  biometrics  industry  provides  identification  solutions  for  a  broad  range  of  government  and  commercial 
applications.  Principal  government  biometrics  applications  include  border  control,  law  enforcement,  national 
defense,  secure  credentialing,  access  control  and  background  checks.    Principal  commercial  applications  include 
access  control  for  mobile  devices,  computers,  computer  networks,  and  buildings,  as  well  as  pre-employment 
background checks. 

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We believe that government and commercial entities will continue to adopt and expand the use of biometric-enabled 
solutions  to  address  the  limitations  and  vulnerabilities  of  traditional  identification  processes.  We  believe  the 
following  factors,  among  others,  will  contribute  to  the  growth  of  biometrics  solutions:    i)  government-mandated 
implementation  of  identification  for  employees,  citizens,  and  foreign  nationals  to  enhance  national  security;  ii) 
military  implementations  for  the  identification  of  terrorists  and  other  hostile  persons;  iii)  increasing  threats  to 
personal security encountered in areas such as transportation; iv) government and commercial efforts to detect and 
reduce fraud, and v) the emergence and adoption of international biometrics standards. 

The biometrics industry may be segmented into government and commercial sub-markets. While these markets are 
similar  in  many  respects  and  share  similar  characteristics,  other  aspects  of  the  markets  are  different.    Important 
factors that differentiate the government  market from the commercial  market include: i) principal applications; ii) 
solutions;  and  iii)  suppliers.  We  believe  that  this  market-based  distinction  is  important  to  an  understanding  of 
Aware’s business as over 80% of our revenue is derived from government customers. 

Government market

Governments  were  early  adopters  of  biometrics  technology  and  currently  represent  the  largest  consumer  of  the 
technology.  There  are  sub-sectors  within  government,  such  as  state,  local  and  national,  that  use  biometric 
technology. For example, at the local law enforcement level, biometric technology permits more efficient criminal 
booking  and  processing  and  also  allows  officers  in  the  field  to  identify  potential  suspects  more  reliably  and 
efficiently.  Within  military  organizations,  two  key  applications  of  biometrics  involve:  i)  the  verification  and 
identification  of  military  personnel  and  contractors;  and  ii)  the  collection  and  processing  of  biometrics  from  non-
military personnel for the purpose of identifying potential hostile persons. State and local governments also benefit 
through  applications  such  as  background  checks,  the  provision  of  drivers’  licenses  and  identification  cards  and 
benefits issuance.  

At  the  national  level,  governments  throughout  the  world  have  taken  steps  to  improve  security  in  response  to 
heightened concerns over public safety from the threat of terrorism. National governments have mandated increased 
spending on security measures, implemented new regulations and placed greater emphasis on technology to address 
growing  security  concerns.  For  example,  the  U.S.  Office  of  Biometric  Identity  Management  currently  requires 
foreign visitors entering the United States to have their two index fingers scanned and a digital photograph taken to 
establish  and verify  their  identity.  The  European  Union now  mandates  that  e-passports  include  fingerprint data  in 
addition to a digital photograph. The biometrics industry continues to benefit from these measures because biometric 
technology provides a reliable means of establishing and verifying identities.  

Government  biometrics  systems  typically  operate  on  client/server-based  computer  networks.    Enrollment 
workstations with peripheral capture devices are used to “enroll” individuals into biometrics systems.  Either fixed 
enrollment workstations or mobile devices are used to capture, process, and format biometric images. Those images 
are  then  transported  in  digital  form  to  centralized  matching  systems  for  identification.  Examples  of  capture 
peripherals  include  scanners  for  fingerprint  images,  cameras  for  iris  and  facial  images,  and  handheld  devices  for 
mobile  capture  of  fingerprint,  iris,  and  facial  images.    Other  hardware  components  used  in  biometrics  systems 
include computer servers to process and transport biometrics images and mainframe computers and servers to store 
and  match  those  images.  In  addition,  military  applications  may  employ  handheld  devices  that  are  capable  of 
capturing images and matching those images against image databases that reside on the devices. 

Due to the nature of government applications, particularly those involving security, government biometric systems 
must be capable of accurately and rapidly matching biometric images against large databases of stored images. The 
ability to accurately and rapidly match images against databases of millions of images is critical because incorrect or 
delayed  results  could  have  severe  adverse  consequences.  These  requirements  are  an  important  distinguishing 
characteristic of the government market as compared to the commercial market. 

There  are  a  number  of  vendors  that  serve  the  government  biometrics  market.    We  believe  these  vendors  may  be 
segmented into three types of suppliers:  

i) Technology  suppliers  –  Within  this  category,  there  are  suppliers  that  provide  software  and  hardware 

technologies that enable biometrics systems.  

Biometrics  software  products  provide  functionality  that:  i)  captures  and  formats  images;  ii)  processes  and 
transports images, and iii) matches images. Companies that sell products in this category include: i) Aware; ii) 

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Cognitec Systems GmbH; iii) Neurotechnology; iv) Iritech, Inc.; v) Innovatrics s.r.o.; vi) WCC Group B.V.; vii) 
Daon, Inc.; and viii) M2Sys Technology (“M2Sys”). 

Hardware companies that provide equipment used in biometrics systems includes biometrics-specific vendors, 
such  as  Cross  Match  Technologies,  Inc.,  and  Iris  ID  Systems,  Inc.,  and  companies  that  provide  generic 
computer workstations and computers, such as Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. and Dell, Inc.  

ii) System  integrators  –  This  category  of  suppliers  includes  companies  that  provide  system  integration  services. 
System  integrators  purchase  hardware  and  software  from  biometrics  technology  vendors,  such  as  those  listed 
immediately  above.    They  then  incorporate  those  components  into  customized  biometrics  systems  that  they 
build for their end-user customers. 

Examples of systems integrators include: i) Northrop Grumman Corporation; ii) Lockheed Martin Corporation; 
iii)  Science  Applications  International  Corporation;  iv)  Hewlett-Packard  Enterprise  Services;  v)  International 
Business Machines; vi) Fujitsu Limited; vii) Computer Science Corporation; vii) Accenture plc; vii) Raytheon 
Company; and ix) Unisys Corporation.  

iii) Fully  integrated  solutions  vendors  –  This  category  of  suppliers  includes  companies  that  are  fully  integrated 
providers of biometric systems.  Such companies combine their in-house hardware and software technologies 
with  their  systems  integration  services  to  deliver  customized  biometrics  systems  to  their  end-user  customers. 
While these vendors may purchase some components from third parties, we believe such component purchases 
represent a minor portion of the total systems they deliver. 

We  believe  there  are  three  primary  fully  integrated  solutions  vendors.    They  are:  i)  MorphoTrak  and 
MorphoTrust, divisions of the Safran Group Company (“Safran Morpho”); ii) 3M Cogent Inc. (“3M/Cogent”); 
and  iii)  NEC  Corporation.    We  believe  that  these  companies  supply  a  large  percentage  of  the  government 
market. 

Commercial market 

Commercial users have adopted biometric solutions to solve identity management problems involving the protection 
of sensitive information, the monitoring of access to secure areas, and the protection of personal information from 
identity theft. Therefore, principal commercial applications include; i) access control for mobile devices, computers, 
and computer networks, ii) physical access control to buildings, and iii) pre-employment background checks.  The 
commercial  market  also  encompasses  specific  solutions  for  certain  industries,  such  as  financial  services,  retail, 
gaming, healthcare, and educational testing. 

Today,  we  believe  a  large  portion  of  the  commercial  market  involves  authentication  for  access  control.  In  this 
application, biometrics software is typically  mated to cards, tokens, reader modules, scanners, smart  phones, door 
locks, and cabinets, such as drug cabinets. The requirements for biometrics matching in these applications are not as 
robust as in the government market.  Many of these applications employ 1-to-1 image matching or 1-to-few image 
matching.  Accordingly,  the  biometrics  technology  content  in  commercial  products  is  generally  not  as  high  as  in 
government biometrics systems. 

Examples of hardware and software vendors that provide products for the commercial biometrics market in addition 
to Aware include: 

(cid:120) Hardware, scanner, and integrated solutions companies, such as: i) DigitalPersona, Inc.; ii) Bioscrypt, Inc., 

a division of Safran Morpho; iii) Suprema, Inc.; iv) 3M/Cogent; and v) Eyelock, Inc. 

(cid:120)

Software platform companies, such as: i) M2Sys; ii) BIO-key International, Inc.; iii) Imprivata, Inc; and  
iv) Facebanx, a subsidiary of OhHi, Ltd. 

(cid:120) Access control companies, such as: i) Honeywell International, Inc.;  ii) HID Global Corporation;  iii) Tyco 
International Ltd.;  iv) Lenel Systems International Inc.;  v) Stanley Security Limited; vi) IrisGuard, Inc.; 
and vii) Aurora Biometrics, Inc.; and 

(cid:120)

Smart phone companies, such as Apple, Inc. through its acquisition of AuthenTec, Inc. 

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Products and Services 

Software products 

We supply a broad range of biometrics software products for fingerprint, facial, and iris modalities.  Our products 
capture,  verify,  format,  compress  and  decompress  biometric  images  as  well  as  aggregate,  analyze,  process  and 
transport  those  images  within  biometric  systems.  We  also  sell  software  maintenance  contracts  along  with  our 
software products.  Software maintenance allows customers to receive: i) technical support; and ii) software updates, 
if and when they are available. 

We have four categories of biometrics software products that range from discrete software blocks that customers can 
use to develop their own solutions to more complete applications that customers can use to reduce or eliminate their 
development  times.  Once  customers  sell  systems  that  make  use  of  these  software  products,  they  pay  us  software 
license fees based on the number of systems they use.  

The four categories of our biometrics software products are described below: 

i)

Software Development Kits.  Software development kits or (“SDKs”) consist of multiple software libraries, 
sample applications that show customers how to use the libraries, and documentation.  Customers use our 
SDKs  to design  their  own  applications using our  libraries. We  consider  these products to  be  commercial 
off-the-shelf  (“COTS”)  products  because  they  are  ready-made  products  not  customized  by  us  for  any 
particular customer.  Our SDK products and the functions they perform are: 

(cid:120) Products for hardware abstraction, autocapture, and quality assurance: 

a) FastCapture with LiveScan API; 
b) PreFaceTM with Camera API; 
c)
d) SequenceCheckTM; and 
e) Quality CheckTM.

IrisCheckTM with IrisCam API; 

(cid:120) Products  for  biometric  data  formatting,  validation  and  reading according  to  ANSI/NIST,  ISO/IEC, 

INCITS, ICAO, FIPS 201, and other U.S. and international standards: 

a) NISTPack; 
b)
ICAOPack;  
c) PIVPackTM; and  
d) M1Pack. 

(cid:120) Products for compression and decompression of fingerprint, facial, and iris images: 

a) Aware WSQ; and 
b) Aware JPEG2000. 

Products for biometric authentication: 

a) AwareXMTM

Products for scanning and printing of fingerprint cards: 

a)
b)

 AccuScanTM; and 
 AccuPrintTM.
Products for mobile devices: 

a) NISTPack Mobile 
b)
ICAOPack Mobile 
c) PIVPackTM Mobile; and 
d) AwareXMTM Mobile. 

Bundles of products for specific applications: 

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

a) CaptureSuiteTM - for capture of either live scan or card scan fingerprint images; 
b) PIVSuiteTM  –  for  registration,  identity  proofing,  and  ID  card  personalization,  issuance,  and 

c)

reading; and 
ICAOSuiteTM  -  for  biometric  and  biographic  enrollment,  e-passport  personalization  and 
reading, and fingerprint verification. 

ii) Software  components.    Our  software  component  products  each  include  a  user  interface  and  one  or  more 
software  libraries  that  perform  a  discrete  set  of  functions.    Software  components  allow  customers  to 
develop biometric applications more quickly than using our SDKs. Our set of products in this category is 
called  BioComponentsTM.  BioComponents  comprises  modular,  independent,  self-contained  software 

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components  that  can  operate  either  independently  or  in  concert  with  each  other  performing  a  specific 
biometric task. Each biometric capture component has its own configurable user interface, and performs all 
tasks and workflows required for capture, hardware abstraction, and quality assurance. 

iii) Biometric  applications.    Our  products  in  this  category  combine  a  user  interface  with  multiple  Aware 
software libraries into more complete biometrics applications.  Our application products and the functions 
they perform are: 

(cid:120) Universal  Registration  Client  (“URC”)TM.  URC  is  a  configurable  Windows-based  application  that 
performs a variety of biometric data capture, analysis, matching, formatting, and hardware abstraction 
functions.  

(cid:120) URC  Mobile.  URC  Mobile  is  a  software  application  for  performing  biometric  enrollment, 
identification, and screening on mobile biometric devices, such as those used by military personnel in 
the field. 

(cid:120) FormScannerSE  and  FormScannerMB.    These  are  two  independent  applications  for  scanning  and 

processing of inked fingerprint cards. 

(cid:120) FormScannerSWFT.    This  product  is  a  version  of  FormScannerSE  that  is  preconfigured  for  use  in 
compliance  with  the  “Secure  Web  Fingerprint  Transmission”  program  of  the  U.S.  Department  of 
Defense. 

(cid:120) Forensic Workbench.  Forensic Workbench is a software application for the categorization, processing, 

and standards-compliant formatting of biometric images and demographic data. 

(cid:120) WebEnroll. WebEnroll provides a reference application with applets for browser-based enrollment of 

biographic data, fingerprints, and facial images. 

iv) Server-based  solutions.  Our  product  in  this  category  is  called  Biometrics  Services  Platform  or  BioSPTM.
This product is used to build and deploy server-based biometric data processing and workflow solutions. 
BioSP  supports  the  collection  of  biometric  images  from  a  distributed  network,  and  the  subsequent 
aggregation, analysis, processing and integration of this data into larger systems. 

In  addition  to  our  biometrics  software  products,  we  also  sell  products  used  in  applications  involving  medical  and 
advanced  imaging.  Our  principal  imaging  product  is  Aware  JPEG  2000.    Our  JPEG  2000  image  compression 
software  may  be  used  for  a  variety  of  applications  where  compression  and  decompression  of  still  imagery  is 
required. 

Services 

We offer engineering services to our customers.  The service projects for which we are engaged generally fall into 
two principal categories:  

i)

Systems  integrator  services  –  this  category  of  services  includes  engineering  services  we  provide  to  our 
systems  integrator  customers  for  assistance  with  biometrics  systems  they  are  developing  for  their 
customers.  Such  services  may  include  software  customization,  integration,  installation,  or  engineering 
problem solving. 

ii) Direct government services  -  this category of services arises when government customers contract directly 
with  us  for  services  products  involving  the  development  of  complete  biometrics  systems,  software 
development, and engineering problem solving. 

Hardware products 

From 2008 until early 2013, we developed a biometrics software system for a U.S. government customer under a 
Small Business Innovation Research (“SBIR”) contract.  When the software development service project ended in 
February  2013,  we  entered  into  a  separate  contract  to  supply  hardware  products  incorporating  the  developed 
software  as  an  accommodation  to  this  customer.  Hardware  products  sold  to  this  customer  integrate  hardware 
purchased from third parties with software from other third parties as well as software from Aware. We commenced 
shipments of equipment under this contract in May 2013.  While other customers could theoretically purchase the 
hardware  products  developed  for  this  customer,  we  believe  that  it  is  unlikely  that  they  will  do  so,  because  of  the 
highly customized nature of the products.   

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Sales and Marketing 

As of December 31, 2013, we had a total of 10 employees in our sales and marketing organization. In addition to our 
employee sales staff, we also engage third party sales agents to represent our products in various foreign countries.  

We sell our products and services through three principal channels of distribution: 

i)

Systems  integrator  channel  –  we  sell  to  systems  integrators  that  incorporate  our  software  products  into 
biometrics systems that are delivered primarily to government end users. 

ii) OEM channel – we sell to hardware and software solution providers that incorporate our software products 

into their products.   

iii) Direct channel – we also sell directly to government, and, to a lesser degree, to commercial customers.  

Revenue  from  the  U.S.  Navy  represented  21%,  5%,  and  10%  of  total  revenue  during  2013,  2012,  and  2011, 
respectively. No other customer represented 10% or more of total revenue in any of those years.  All of our revenue 
in 2013, 2012, and 2011 was derived from unaffiliated customers.  

Competition 

The markets for our products and services are competitive and uncertain.  We compete against: i) other companies 
that  provide  biometric  software  solutions;  and  ii)  fully  diversified  companies  that  provide  biometric  software 
solutions  and  also  act  as  systems  integrators.  We  can  give  no  assurance  that:  i)  our  products  and  services  will 
succeed  in  the  market;  ii)  that  we  will  be  able  to  compete  effectively;  or  iii)  that  competitive  pressures  will  not 
seriously harm our business.   

Many  of  our  competitors  are  larger  than  us  and  have  significantly  greater  financial,  technological,  marketing  and 
personnel resources than we do.  At the other end of the competitive spectrum, we have seen increasing competition 
from  smaller  biometrics  companies  in  foreign  countries.  These  smaller  foreign  competitors  have  demonstrated  a 
willingness to sell their biometrics software products at low prices.  

We can give no assurance that our customers will continue to purchase products from us or that we will be able to 
compete effectively in obtaining new customers to maintain or grow our business. 

Aware’s Strategy 

Our strategy is to capitalize on our strong brand and reputation to sell biometrics software products and services into 
government and commercial markets.  We intend to offer a broad portfolio of high quality products that are coupled 
with expert technical support and services.  We expect to continue to employ a three-pronged distribution strategy 
using systems integrators, OEMs, and direct sales. 

Our strategy for growing our biometrics business may include one or more of the following elements: 

i)

ii)

iii)

Product line expansion – We intend to introduce new products that will allow us to sell more software 
into  biometrics  systems  and  projects.    Our  preference  is  to  develop  new  products  internally  by  adding 
resources  to  our  existing  engineering  staff.    To  the  extent  we  are  unable  to  develop  critical  new 
technologies internally, we may purchase or license such technologies from third parties. Alternatively, 
we may also acquire biometrics companies provided we believe the acquisition cost is reasonable relative 
to the estimated future revenue and profits the acquired company may produce.  

Geographic expansion – We believe that there are growth opportunities for biometrics projects outside of 
the  United  States.  We  intend  to  pursue  foreign  markets  through  additions  to  our  sales  staff,  as  well  as 
through the use of third party sales agents.

Grow services revenue – We believe that services represent a significant portion of the total biometrics 
market.  We  further  believe  we  can  grow  our  services  revenue  by  offering  customers  high  quality 

8

engineering  services  that  are  delivered  responsively  at  attractive  prices.  Our  services  business  may 
benefit from past successes on services projects with other customers. 

iv)

Commercial market expansion – Historically our revenue has been primarily derived from government 
biometrics markets.  Given the nature of the product solutions required in that market, we have been able 
to  forge  a  profitable  business  model.    It  has  been  less  obvious  to  us  how  we  replicate  that  profitable 
model  in  commercial  markets.  As  commercial  markets  grow  and  product  solutions  become  more 
complex, we intend to identify opportunities where we can participate profitability. 

As  we  attempt  to  grow  our  biometrics  business,  we  may  make  investments  in  growth  initiatives,  such  as  those 
described above, that may cause our profitability to decline in the near term. 

Our strategy does not include growing biometrics hardware revenue.  Hardware sales in 2013 financial results are 
there as an accommodation to an important customer.  While we expect that we will have more hardware sales in 
2014, our strategy does not include deliberately trying to grow such sales. 

Backlog 

We generally deliver customer orders as we receive them, and, therefore, have no meaningful backlog of customer 
orders.  We  had  an  atypical  backlog  situation  at  the  end  of  2013  with  two  direct  government  customers.  As  of 
December 31, 2013, total backlog with these customers was $5.0 million, including $2.7 of hardware sales and $2.3 
of services.  This backlog is scheduled for delivery during 2014.  We are unable to predict whether we will have any 
significant backlog in future periods. 

Research and Development

Our  research  and  development  activities  are  focused  on  enhancing  our  existing  products  and  developing  new 
products.  Our engineering organization is based in Bedford, Massachusetts.  As of December 31, 2013, we had an 
engineering staff of 37 employees, representing 64% of our total employee staff. 

During  the  years  ended  December  31,  2013,  2012,  and  2011,  research  and  development  expenses  totaled  $4.1 
million, $3.5 million, and $3.2 million, respectively.  We expect that we will continue to invest substantial funds in 
research and development activities.   

Patents and Intellectual Property  

We  rely  on  a  combination  of  nondisclosure  agreements  and  other  contractual  provisions,  as  well  as  patent, 
trademark, trade secret and copyright law to protect our proprietary rights.  We have an active program to protect 
our proprietary technology through the filing of patents.  As of December 31, 2013, we had approximately 124 U.S. 
and  foreign  patents,  and  approximately  79  pending  patent  applications  pertaining  to  biometrics  imaging,  medical 
imaging compression as well as DSL service assurance. 

Although  we  have  patented  certain  aspects  of  our  technology,  we  rely  primarily  on  trade  secrets  to  protect  our 
intellectual property.  We attempt to protect our trade secrets and other proprietary information through agreements 
with our customers, suppliers, employees and consultants, and through security measures.  Each of our employees is 
required  to  sign  a  non-disclosure  and  non-competition  agreement.    Although  we  intend  to  protect  our  rights 
vigorously, we cannot assure you that these measures will be successful.  In addition, effective intellectual property 
protection may be unavailable or limited in certain foreign countries.  

Third  parties  may  assert  exclusive  patent,  copyright  and  other  intellectual  property  rights  to  technologies  that  are 
important to us.  From time  to time, we receive claims from third parties suggesting that we may be obligated to 
license such intellectual property rights.  If we were found to have infringed any third party’s patents, we could be 
subject to substantial damages or an injunction preventing us from conducting our business. 

9

Manufacturing & Systems Integration 

We do not design or manufacture hardware products, however we provide systems integration services for one U.S. 
government customer.  Our systems integration activities include: i) procuring hardware and software components 
from third party suppliers; ii) installing Aware and third party software on the purchased hardware; and iii) testing 
products for quality assurance prior to shipment. 

We rely on single source suppliers for certain critical hardware and software components. Our dependence on single 
source suppliers involves several risks, including limited control over availability, quality, and delivery schedules. 
Any delays in delivery or shortages of such components could cause delays in the shipment of our products, which 
could harm our business.   

Employees 

At December 31, 2013, we employed 58 people, including 37 in engineering, 10 in sales and marketing, and 11 in 
finance  and  administration.    Of  these  employees,  56  were  based  in  Massachusetts.    None  of  our  employees  are 
represented by a labor union.  We consider our employee relations to be good.  

We  believe  that  our  future  success  will  depend  in  large  part  on  the  service  of our  technical,  sales, marketing  and 
senior  management  personnel  and  upon  our  ability  to  retain  highly  qualified  technical,  sales  and  marketing  and 
managerial personnel.  We cannot assure you that we will be able to retain our key managers and employees or that 
we will be able to attract and retain additional highly qualified personnel in the future. 

Discontinuation of DSL Operations 

From the early 1990s until 2013, we operated up to three product lines within the Digital Subscriber Line (“DSL”) 
industry.  Those  product  lines  included:  i)  DSL  silicon  intellectual  property  that  we  licensed  to  semiconductor 
companies;  ii)  DSL  service  assurance  hardware  products  that  we  sold  to  DSL  test  equipment  companies;  and  iii) 
DSL  service  assurance  software  products  that  we  licensed  to  telephone  companies  and  DSL  test  equipment 
companies.  

As of the end of 2013, we no longer operated any of these DSL product lines. The following summary describes our 
exit from the DSL business. 

Year ended December 31, 2013.  In August 2013, our Board of Directors approved the shutdown of our DSL service 
assurance  software  product  line.    We  completed  the  shutdown  in  2013,  and  results  for  this  product  line  were 
reported  in  discontinued  operations  in  our  consolidated  statements  of  income  and  comprehensive  income  for  the 
three  years  ended  December  31,  2013.    This  product  line  was  previously  a  component  of  our  DSL  Service 
Assurance Segment. 

Year  ended  December  31,  2012.    In  January  2012,  our  Board  of  Directors  approved  the  shutdown  of  our  DSL 
service assurance hardware product line. We completed the shutdown in 2012, and results for this product line were 
reported  in  discontinued  operations  in  our  consolidated  statements  of  income  and  comprehensive  income  for  the 
three years ended December 31, 2013. This product line was previously a component of our DSL Service Assurance 
Segment. 

Year ended December 31, 2009.  In November 2009, we sold our DSL semiconductor intellectual property business 
to one of our customers.  The results from the last year of its operations and a gain on the sale of the business were 
reported in our financial results for 2009. 

Notwithstanding the sale of the DSL semiconductor business, we continue to receive royalties from two customers 
that  use  our  intellectual  property  in  their  DSL  chipsets.    The  receipt  of  DSL  royalties  is  the  last  remnant  of  our 
involvement in the DSL business, and represents a passive business activity as we have no employees or operations 
dedicated  to  the  generation  and/or  continuation  of  that  revenue.    We  simply  receive  royalty  payments  from  these 
customers.    DSL  royalties  are  reported  on  a  separate  line  of  our  consolidated  statements  of  income  and 
comprehensive  income  called  “Royalties.”    Royalties  declined  significantly  in  2013  and  represented  slightly  less 
than 5% of total revenue. We expect royalties to continue to decline in future periods. 

10

Segment Information; Financial Information About Geographic Areas 

After the shutdown of our DSL Service Assurance Segment in 2013, we organize ourselves into a single segment 
that  reports  to  the  chief  operating  decision  makers.  A  summary  of  our  revenue  by  geographic  area  is  set  forth  in 
Note 10 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Annual Report.

Available Information 

Our  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K,  Quarterly  Reports  on  Form  10-Q,  Current  Reports  on  Form  8-K,  proxy 
statements, and amendments to reports filed pursuant to Sections 13(a) and 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934,  as  amended,  are  made  available  free  of  charge  on  or  through  our  website  at  www.aware.com  as  soon  as 
reasonably  practicable  after  such reports  are  filed  with,  or  furnished  to,  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission 
(the SEC). The SEC also maintains a website, www.sec.gov, that contains reports and other information regarding 
issuers  that  file  electronically  with  the  SEC.    Such  reports,  proxy  statements,  and  other  information  may  also  be 
obtained by visiting  the  Public  Reference Room  of  the  SEC  at  100  F  Street,  N.E., Washington,  DC,  20549 or by 
calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. 

Copies of our (i) Corporate Governance Principles, (ii) charters for the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, 
and Nominating Committee, and (iii) Code of Ethics are available in the Investor Relations section of our website at 
www.aware.com.

11

ITEM 1A.  RISK FACTORS

Our operating results may fluctuate significantly from period-to-period and are difficult to predict. 

Individual orders can represent a meaningful percentage of our revenues and net income in any single quarter and 
the  timing  of  the  receipt  of  those  orders  is  difficult  to  predict.  The  failure  to  close  an  order  or  the  deferral  or 
cancellation of  an order  can result  in  revenue  and net  income  shortfalls  for  that quarter. We base  our  current  and 
future expense levels on our internal operating plans and sales forecasts, and our operating costs are to a large extent 
fixed. As a result, we may not be able to sufficiently reduce our costs in any quarter to adequately compensate for an 
unexpected near-term shortfall in revenues, and even a small shortfall could disproportionately and adversely affect 
financial results for that quarter.  

Our financial results may be negatively affected by a number of factors, including the following:  

•

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

the  lack  or  reduction  of  government  funding  and  the  political,  budgetary  and  purchasing  constraints  of 
government customers who purchase products and services directly or indirectly from us;  
the terms of customer contracts that affect the timing of revenue recognition;  
the size and timing of our receipt of customer orders;  
significant fluctuations in demand for our products and services;  
the loss of a key customer or one of its key customers; 
new competitors, or the introduction of enhanced solutions from new or existing competitors;  
competitive pressures on selling prices; 
cancellations, delays or contract amendments by government customers; 
higher than expected costs, asset write-offs, and other one-time financial charges; and 
general economic trends and other factors 

As a result of these factors, we believe that period-to-period comparisons of our revenue levels and operating results 
are not necessarily meaningful.  You should not rely on our quarterly revenue and operating results to predict our 
future performance. 

We  derive  a  significant  portion  of  our  revenue  directly  or  indirectly  from  government  customers,  and  our 
business may be adversely affected by changes in the contracting or fiscal policies of those governmental entities.  

We  derive  a  significant  portion  of  our  revenue  directly  or  indirectly  from  federal,  international,  state  and  local 
governments.  We  believe  that  the  success  and  growth  of  our  business  will  continue  to  depend  on  government 
customers purchasing our products and services either directly through us or indirectly through our channel partners. 
Changes in government contracting policies or government budgetary constraints may adversely affect our financial 
performance. Among the factors that could adversely affect our business are:  

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

changes in fiscal policies or decreases in available government funding,  
changes in government funding priorities;  
changes in government programs or applicable requirements;  
the adoption of new laws or regulations or changes to existing laws or regulations;  
changes in political or social attitudes with respect to security and defense issues;  
changes in audit policies and procedures of government entities;  
potential delays or changes in the government appropriations process; and  
delays in the payment of our invoices by government payment offices.  

These and other factors could cause government customers or our channel partners to reduce purchases of products 
and services from us which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating 
results. 

12

We derive a significant portion of our revenue from third party channel partners.

Our future results depend upon the continued successful distribution of our products through a channel of systems 
integrators and OEM partners. Systems integrators, including value added resellers, use our software products as a 
component of the biometrics systems they deliver to their customers. OEMs embed our software products in their 
technology  devices  or  software  products.  These  channel  partners  typically  sell  their  products  and  services  to 
government customers.  

Our  failure  to  effectively  manage  our  relationships  with  these  third  parties  could  impair  the  success  of  our  sales, 
marketing and support activities. Moreover, the activities of these third parties are not within our direct control. The 
occurrence of any of the following events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition 
and operating results: 

(cid:120) a reduction in sales efforts by our partners; 
(cid:120) the failure of our partners to win government awards in which our products are used; 
(cid:120) a reduction in technical capabilities or financial viability of our partners; 
(cid:120) a misalignment of interest between us and them; 
(cid:120) the termination of our relationship with a major systems integrator or OEM; or 
(cid:120) any adverse effect on a partner’s business related to competition, pricing and other factors. 

If  the  biometrics  market  does  not  experience  significant  growth  or  if  our  products  do  not  achieve  broad 
acceptance both domestically and internationally, we may not be able to grow our business. 

Our revenues are derived primarily from sales of biometrics products and services. We cannot accurately predict the 
future growth rate or the size of the biometrics market. The expansion of the biometrics market and the market for 
our biometrics products and services depend on a number of factors, such as:  

•

•

•
•

the cost, performance and reliability of our products and services and the products and services offered by 
our competitors; 
the  continued  growth  in  demand  for  biometrics  solutions  within  the  government  and  law  enforcement 
markets  as  well  as  the  development  and  growth  of  demand  for  biometric  solutions  in  markets  outside  of 
government and law enforcement; 
customers’ perceptions regarding the benefits of biometrics solutions;  
public perceptions regarding the intrusiveness of these solutions and the manner in which organizations use 
the biometric information collected;  
public perceptions regarding the confidentiality of private information;  
proposed or enacted legislation related to privacy of information;  
customers’ satisfaction with biometrics solutions; and  

•
•
•
• marketing efforts and publicity regarding biometrics solutions. 

Even  if  biometrics  solutions  gain  wide  market  acceptance,  our  solutions  may  not  adequately  address  market 
requirements  and  may  not  continue  to  gain  market  acceptance.  If  biometrics  solutions  generally  or  our  solutions 
specifically do not gain wide market acceptance, we may not be able to achieve our anticipated level of growth and 
our revenues and results of operations would be adversely affected. 

We face intense competition from other biometrics solutions providers. 

A  significant  number  of  established  companies  have  developed  or  are  developing  and  marketing  software  and 
hardware  for  biometrics  products  and  applications  that  currently  compete  with  or  will  compete  directly  with  our 
offerings.  We believe that additional competitors will enter the biometrics market and become significant long-term 
competitors, and that, as a result, competition will increase.  Companies competing with us may introduce solutions 
that are competitively priced, have increased performance or functionality or incorporate technological advances we 
have not yet developed or implemented. Our current principal competitors include:  

•

Diversified technology providers that offer integrated biometrics solutions to governments, law enforcement 
agencies and other organizations.  This group of competitors includes companies such as Safran Morpho, a 
division of the Safran Group Company; 3M Cogent, and NEC Corporation. 

13

•

Component  providers  that  offer  biometrics  software  and  hardware  components  for  fingerprint,  facial,  and 
iris  biometric  identification.    This  group  of  competitors  includes  companies  such  as  Cognitec  Systems 
GmbH;  Neurotechnology;  Iritech,  Inc.;  Iris  ID  Systems,  Inc.;  Innovatrics  s.r.o.;  WCC  Group  B.V.;  Daon, 
Inc.; and M2Sys Technology (“M2Sys”). 

We  expect  competition  to  intensify  in  the  near  term  in  the  biometrics  market.  Many  current  and  potential 
competitors  have  substantially  greater  financial,  marketing,  and  research  resources  than  we  have.    Moreover,  low 
cost foreign competitors from third world and other countries have demonstrated a willingness to sell their products 
at significantly reduced prices. To compete effectively in this environment, we must continually develop and market 
new and enhanced solutions and technologies at competitive prices and must have the resources available to invest 
in significant research and development activities. Our failure to compete successfully could cause our revenues and 
market share to decline.  

The biometrics industry is characterized by rapid technological change and evolving industry standards, which 
could render our existing products obsolete.  

Our  future  success  will  depend  upon  our  ability  to  develop  and  introduce  a  variety  of  new  capabilities  and 
enhancements to our existing products in order to address the changing and sophisticated needs of the marketplace. 
Frequently, technical development programs in the biometrics industry require assessments to be made of the future 
direction  of  technology,  which  is  inherently  difficult  to  predict.  Delays  in  introducing  new  products  and 
enhancements, the failure to choose correctly among technical alternatives or the failure to offer innovative products 
or enhancements at competitive prices may cause customers to forego purchases of our products and purchase our 
competitors’ products. We may not have adequate resources available to us or may not adequately keep pace with 
appropriate requirements in order to effectively compete in the marketplace. 

Our software products may have errors, defects or bugs, which could result in delayed or lost revenue, expensive 
correction, liability to our customers, and claims against us.  

Complex  software  products  such  as  ours  may  contain  errors,  defects  or  bugs.  Defects  in  the  products  that  we 
develop and sell to our customers could require expensive corrections and result in delayed or lost revenue, adverse 
customer reaction and negative publicity about us or our products and services. Customers who are not satisfied with 
any  of  our  products  may  also  bring  claims  against  us  for  damages,  which,  even  if  unsuccessful,  would  likely  be 
time-consuming to defend, and could result in costly litigation and payment of damages. Such claims could harm 
our reputation, financial results and competitive position. 

Our business may be adversely affected by our use of open source software.  

The software industry is making increasing use of open source software in the development of products. We also 
license  and  integrate  certain  open  source  software  components  from  third  parties  into  our  software.  Open  source 
software license agreements may require that the software code in these components or the software into which they 
are integrated be freely accessible under open source terms. Many features we may wish to add to our products in 
the  future  may  be  available  as  open  source  software  and  our  development  team  may  wish  to  make  use  of  this 
software to reduce development costs and speed up the development process. While we carefully monitor the use of 
all open source software and try to ensure that no open source software is used in such a way as to require us to 
disclose the source code to the related product, such use could inadvertently occur.  If we were required to make our 
software freely available, our business could be seriously harmed. 

Our intellectual property is subject to limited protection. 

Because  we  are  a  technology  provider,  our  ability  to  protect  our  intellectual  property  and  to  operate  without 
infringing  the  intellectual  property  rights  of  others  is  critical  to  our  success.    We  regard  our  technology  as 
proprietary.    We  rely  on  a  combination  of  patent,  trade  secret,  copyright,  and  trademark  law  as  well  as 
confidentiality  agreements  to  protect  our  proprietary  technology,  and  cannot  assure  you  that  we  will  be  able  to 
enforce  the  patents  we  own  against  third  parties.  Despite  our  efforts,  these  measures  can  only  provide  limited 
protection.  Unauthorized  third  parties  may  try  to  copy  or  reverse  engineer  portions  of  our  products  or  otherwise 

14

obtain  and  use  our  intellectual  property.  If  we  fail  to  protect  our  intellectual  property  rights  adequately,  our 
competitors may gain access to our technology, and our business would thus be harmed.  

In the future, we may be involved in legal action to enforce our intellectual property rights relating to our patents, 
copyrights  or  trade  secrets.    Any  such  litigation  could  be  costly  and  time-consuming  for  us,  even  if  we  were  to 
prevail.    Moreover,  even  if  we  are  successful  in  protecting  our  proprietary  information,  our  competitors  may 
independently develop technologies substantially equivalent or superior to our technology.  Accordingly, despite our 
efforts, we may be unable to prevent third parties from infringing upon or misappropriating our intellectual property 
or  otherwise  gaining  access  to  our  technology.    The  misappropriation  of  our  technology  or  the  development  of 
competitive technology could seriously harm our business. 

We may be sued by third parties for alleged infringement of their proprietary rights.

Our technology and products may infringe the intellectual property rights of others.  A large and increasing number 
of participants in the technology industry, including companies known as non-practicing entities, have applied for or 
obtained  patents.  Some  of  these  patent  holders  have  demonstrated  a  readiness  to  commence  litigation  based  on 
allegations of patent infringement.  Third parties have asserted against us in the past and may assert against us in the 
future patent, copyright and other intellectual property rights to technologies that are important to our business.   

Intellectual property rights can be uncertain and involve complex legal and factual questions.  Moreover, intellectual 
property claims, with or without merit, can be time-consuming and expensive to litigate or settle, and could divert 
management  attention  away  from  the  execution  of  our  business  plan.    If  we  were  found  to  have  infringed  the 
proprietary  rights  of  others,  we  could  be  subject  to  substantial  damages  or  an  injunction  preventing  us  from 
conducting our business.  

If we are unable to attract and retain key personnel, our business could be harmed.  

If any of our key employees were to leave, we could face substantial difficulty in hiring qualified successors and 
could  experience  a  loss  in  productivity  while  any  successor  obtains  the  necessary  training  and  experience.  Our 
employment relationships are at-will and we have had key employees leave in the past. We cannot assure you that 
one or more key employees will not leave in the future. We  intend to continue to hire additional highly qualified 
personnel,  including  software  engineers  and  sales  personnel,  but  may  not  be  able  to  attract,  assimilate  or  retain 
qualified personnel in the future. Any failure to attract, integrate, motivate and retain these employees could harm 
our business. 

We rely on single sources of supply for certain components used in our hardware products. 

We commenced sales of biometrics hardware products to a U.S. government customer in 2013. Hardware products 
sold  to  this  customer  integrate  hardware  and  software  purchased  from  third  parties.  We  rely  on  single  source 
suppliers for certain critical hardware and software components. Our dependence on single source suppliers involves 
several risks, including limited control over availability, quality, and delivery schedules. Any delays in delivery or 
shortages of such components could cause delays in the shipment of our products, which could harm our business.   

Our business may be affected by government regulations. 

Extensive  regulation  by  federal,  state,  and  foreign  regulatory  agencies  could  adversely  affect  us  in  ways  that  are 
difficult for us to predict. In addition, our business may also be adversely affected by: i) the imposition of tariffs, 
duties and other import restrictions on goods and services we purchase from non-domestic suppliers; or ii) by the 
imposition  of  export  restrictions  on  products  we  sell  internationally.  Changes  in  current  or  future  laws  or 
regulations, in the United States or elsewhere, could seriously harm our business. 

15

Adverse economic conditions could harm our business. 

Unfavorable changes in economic conditions, including recessions, inflation, turmoil in financial markets, or other 
changes in economic conditions, could harm our business, results of operations, and financial conditions as a result 
of: 

(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)

reduced demand for our products;  
increased risk of order cancellations or delays; 
increased pressure on the prices for our products;  
greater difficulty in collecting accounts receivable; and 
risks to our liquidity, including the possibility that we might not have access to our cash when needed.  

We are unable to predict the timing, duration, and severity of any such adverse economic conditions in the U.S. and 
other countries, but the longer the duration, the greater the risks we face in operating our business. 

We may make acquisitions of companies. 

We  may  make  acquisitions  of  companies  that  offer  complementary  products,  services  and  technologies.  Any 
acquisitions  we  may  complete  involve  a  number  of  risks,  including  the  risks  of  assimilating  the  operations  and 
personnel of acquired companies, realizing the value of the acquired assets relative to the price paid, distraction of 
management from our ongoing businesses and potential product disruptions associated with the sale of the acquired 
company’s  products.  These  factors  could  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  our  business,  financial  condition, 
operating results and cash flows. The consideration we pay for any future acquisitions could include our stock. As a 
result, future acquisitions could cause dilution to existing shareholders and to earnings per share. 

Royalties will likely decline in future periods. 

Prior to November 2009, we were a supplier of DSL silicon intellectual property to the semiconductor industry. We 
continue to receive royalties from two principal customers that use our DSL silicon IP in their DSL chipsets. It is 
difficult for us to make accurate forecasts of DSL chipset royalty revenue because such revenue depends on factors 
that are beyond our control. Royalty revenue from both of our licensees declined significantly in 2013. We believe it 
is likely that royalties will continue to decline in future periods. 

The market price of our common stock has been and may continue to be subject to wide fluctuations, and this 
may make it difficult for shareholders to resell the common stock when they want or at prices they find attractive.  

The market price of our common stock, like that of other technology companies, is volatile and is subject to wide 
fluctuations in response to a variety of factors, including: 

(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)
(cid:120)

(cid:120)

quarterly variations in operating results; 
announcements of technological innovations or new products by us or our competitors,  
changes in customer relationships, such as the loss of a key customer; 
recruitment or departure of key personnel; 
corporate actions we may initiate, such as acquisitions, stock sales or repurchases, dividend declarations, or 
corporate reorganizations; and 
other events or factors.  

Our stock price may also be affected by broader market trends unrelated to our performance. As a result, purchasers 
of our common stock may be unable at any given time to sell their shares at or above the price they paid for them. 
Moreover, companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their stock often are subject to securities 
class  action  litigation.  If  we  were  the  subject  of  such  litigation,  it  could  result  in  substantial  costs  and  divert 
management's attention and resources. 

16

If we are unable to maintain effective internal controls over financial reporting, investors could lose confidence 
in the reliability of our financial statements, which could result in a decline in the price of our common stock. 

As a public company, we are required to enhance and test our financial, internal and management control systems to 
meet obligations imposed by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Consistent with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules 
and regulations of the SEC, management's assessment of our internal controls over financial reporting and the audit 
opinion  of  our  independent  registered  accounting  firm  as  to  the  effectiveness  of  our  controls  is  required  in 
connection  with  our  filing  of  our  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K.  If  we  are  unable  to  identify,  implement  and 
conclude that we have effective internal controls over financial reporting or if our independent auditors are unable to 
conclude  that  our  internal  controls  over  financial  reporting  are  effective,  investors  could  lose  confidence  in  the 
reliability  of  our  financial  statements,  which  could  result  in  a  decrease  in  the  value  of  our  common  stock.  Our 
assessment of our internal controls over financial reporting may also uncover weaknesses or other issues with these 
controls that could also result in adverse investor reaction. 

We must make judgments in the process of preparing our financial statements. 

We prepare our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and certain critical 
accounting policies that are relevant to our business.  The application of these principles and policies requires us to 
make significant judgments and estimates.  In the event that our judgments and estimates differ from actual results, 
we may have to change them, which could materially affect our financial position and results of operations. 

Moreover,  accounting  standards  have  been  subject  to  rapid  change  and  evolving  interpretations  by  accounting 
standards setting organizations over the past few years.  The implementation of new accounting standards requires 
us  to  interpret  and  apply  them  appropriately.    If  our  current  interpretations  or  applications  are  later  found  to  be 
incorrect, we may have to restate our financial statements and the price of our stock could decline.  

ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS 

Not applicable.  

17

ITEM 2.   PROPERTIES

We believe that our existing facilities are adequate for our current needs and that additional space sufficient to meet 
our  needs  for  the  foreseeable  future  will  be  available  on  reasonable  terms.    We  currently  occupy  approximately 
72,000 square feet of office space in Bedford, Massachusetts, which serves as our headquarters.  This site is used for 
our research and development, sales and marketing, and administrative activities.  We own this facility.  

ITEM 3.   LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

From time to time we are involved in litigation incidental to the conduct of our business.  We are not party to any 
lawsuit or proceeding that, in our opinion, is likely to seriously harm our business. 

ITEM 4.   MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES  

Not applicable. 

18

PART II 

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS 
AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

Our common stock is the only class of stock we have outstanding, and it trades on the Nasdaq Global Market under 
the  symbol  AWRE.    The  following  table  sets  forth  the  high  and  the  low  sales  prices  of  our  common  stock  as 
reported on the Nasdaq Global Market for the periods indicated from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013. 

2013 
   High ..................................  
   Low ..................................  

2012 
   High ..................................  
   Low ..................................  

First 
Quarter 

Second 
Quarter 

Third 
Quarter 

Fourth 
Quarter 

$6.25 
4.58 

$4.68 
2.30 

$5.65 
4.50 

$7.50 
3.34 

$5.64 
4.80 

$6.88 
5.31 

$6.14 
5.06 

$6.90 
5.05 

As  of  February  6,  2014,  we  had  approximately  108  shareholders  of  record.    This  number  does  not  include 
shareholders  from  whom  shares  were  held  in  a  “nominee”  or  “street”  name.    We  paid  no  dividends  in  2011  and 
2013.    In  2012,  we  paid  a  special  cash  dividend  of  $1.15  per  share  on  May  25,  2012  and  another  special  cash 
dividend of $1.80 per share on December 17, 2012. We anticipate that we will continue to reinvest any earnings to 
finance future operations although we may also pay additional special cash dividends if our board of directors deems 
it appropriate. 

We  did  not  sell  any  equity  securities  that  were  not  registered  under  the  Securities  Act  of  1933  during  the  three 
months ended December 31, 2013. 

19

 
 
Stock Performance Graph 

The following stock performance graph compares the performance of Aware’s cumulative stockholder return with 
that of a broad market index, the Nasdaq Composite Index, and a published industry index, the RDG Technology 
Composite Index.  The cumulative stockholder returns for shares of Aware’s common stock and for the market and 
industry indices are calculated assuming $100 was invested on December 31, 2008. Aware paid no cash dividends in  
2009, 2010, 2011, and 2013.  In 2012, we paid special cash dividends of $2.95 per share. The performance of the 
market and industry indices is shown on a total return, or dividend reinvested, basis.  

COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
Among Aware, Inc., the NASDAQ Composite Index, and the RDG Technology Composite Index

$600

$500

$400

$300

$200

$100

$0

12/08

12/09

12/10

12/11

12/12

12/13

Aware, Inc.

NASDAQ Composite

RDG Technology Composite

*$100 invested on 12/31/08 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends.
Fiscal year ending December 31.

Aware, Inc. .................................................. 
Nasdaq Composite Index. ............................ 
RDG Technology Composite ...................... 

Value of Investment ($)
12/31/08 12/31/09  12/31/10 12/31/11 12/31/12  12/31/13
$149.73 $151.87 $160.43 $467.26  $520.97
$100.00
283.39
171.30
100.00
274.77
181.83
100.00

199.99 
208.18

170.58
181.64

144.88
160.94

20

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The  following  selected  consolidated  financial  and  operating  data  set  forth  below  with  respect  to  our  consolidated 
financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011 are derived from the consolidated 
financial  statements included elsewhere in this Form 10-K. The data for fiscal years ended December 31, 2010 and 
2009  are  derived  from  previously  filed  consolidated  financial  statements  after  giving  effect  to  discontinued 
operations. The data set forth below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of 
Financial  Condition  and  Results  of  Operations,”  our  historical  consolidated  financial  statements,  and  the  related 
notes to the consolidated financial statements, which can be found in Item 7 and Item 8.  

Year ended December 31,  

2013 

2012 

2011 
(in thousands, except per share data) 

2010 

2009 

Statements of Comprehensive Income Data
Revenue ........................................................  
Operating income (loss) before   
   patent related income ..................................
Gain on sale of patent assets ..........................
Gain on sale of assets .....................................
Income from continuing operations, net of 

income taxes ...............................................
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, 
net of income taxes ....................................
Net income .....................................................
Net income per share – basic .........................
Net income per share – diluted ......................

$19,357 

$17,304 

$16,199 

$12,975  

$15,856 

4,538 
- 
- 

5,043 
86,394 
- 

3,752 

72,383 

(1,156) 
2,596
$0.12
$0.11

(76) 
72,307
$3.32
$3.28

3,500 
- 
- 

3,581 

(1,014) 
2,567 
$0.12 
$0.12 

(360) 
- 
- 

(3,834) 
- 
6,230 

154 

2,629 

26 
180 
$0.01 
$0.01 

(1,647) 
982 
$0.05 
$0.05 

Balance Sheet Data 
Cash and cash equivalents ............................  
Working capital ............................................  
Total assets ....................................................  
Total liabilities ..............................................  
Total stockholders’ equity ............................  

$72,660
75,760
89,329 
4,179 
85,150 

$71,074
73,358
85,854
3,958
81,896

$46,577 
48,069 
57,851 
3,276 
54,575 

$39,949 
43,818 
53,400 
3,517 
49,883 

$39,669 
42,209 
51,454 
3,094 
48,360 

21

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 7.  MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 

The following table sets forth, for the years indicated, certain line items from our consolidated statements of income 
and comprehensive income stated as a percentage of total revenue: 

Revenue: 
   Software licenses ..............................................................................  
   Software maintenance .......................................................................  
   Services.............................................................................................  
   Hardware sales ..................................................................................  
   Royalties ...........................................................................................  
     Total revenue ..................................................................................  

Costs and expenses: 
   Cost of hardware sales ......................................................................  
   Cost of services .................................................................................  
   Research and development ...............................................................  
   Selling and marketing .......................................................................  
   General and administrative ...............................................................  
      Total costs and expenses ................................................................  

Operating income before patent related income ..................................  
Gain on sale of patent assets ................................................................  
Income from patent arrangement .........................................................  
Operating income after patent related income .....................................  
Other income .......................................................................................  
Interest income ....................................................................................  
Income from continuing operations before income taxes ....................  
Provision for income taxes ..................................................................  
Income from continuing operations  ....................................................  
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes ...................... 
Net income  ........................................................................................... 

Year ended December 31, 
2012 

2011 

2013 

43% 
20 
16  
16  
5 
100 

12 
8 
21 
18 
18 
77 

23 
- 
4 
27 
- 
2 
29 
10 
19 
(6) 
13% 

55% 
18 
15  
-  
12 
100 

- 
9 
20 
20 
22 
71 

29 
499 
7 
535 
- 
1 
536 
118 
418 
- 
418% 

48% 
16 
23  
-  
13 
100 

- 
9 
20 
18 
31 
78 

22 
- 
- 
22 
- 
- 
22 
- 
22 
(6) 
16% 

Summary of Operations 

Continuing Operations. 

We are primarily engaged in the development and sale of biometrics products and services.  Our biometrics products 
are incorporated into biometrics systems that are used for law enforcement, border control, national defense, secure 
credentialing, access control and background checks. We sell our software and services to systems integrators and 
OEMs, as well as directly to government customers.  We also derive a minor portion of our revenue from the sale of 
imaging software to OEMs that incorporate it into medical imaging products. 

Income  from  continuing  operations  in  2012  includes  gains  from  the  sale  of  patent  assets  of  $86.4  million.  There 
were no similar gains in 2011 or 2013. 

Discontinued Operations. 

We shut down our DSL service assurance hardware product line in 2012 and our DSL service assurance software 
product  line  in  2013.  Both  of  these  product  lines  were  previously  components  of  our  DSL  Service  Assurance 
Segment. The results of the DSL Service Assurance Segment have been reported as discontinued operations as we 
no longer have any significant continuing involvement with, or cash flows from, this segment. 

22

 
 
 
Summary of Financial Results

Net income (loss) from continuing and discontinued operations for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 
2011 was as follows (in thousands):  

  Income from continuing operations...................................................... 
  Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes ...................... 
  Net income ........................................................................................... 

Years ended December 31, 
2013 
$3,752 
(1,156) 
$2,596 

2012 
$72,383 
(76) 
$72,307 

2011 
$3,581 
(1,014) 
$2,567 

Income from continuing operations - 2013 compared to 2012 
Income from continuing operations decreased from $72.4 million in 2012 to $3.8 million in 2013. The decrease was 
primarily due to gains on the sale of patent assets in 2012, which did not recur in 2013.   Operating income before 
patent related income provides a more meaningful measure of on-going operating results. On that basis, operating 
income decreased by $0.5 million from $5.0 million in 2012 to $4.5 million in 2013. The $0.5 million decrease was 
primarily  due  to  lower  royalty  revenue  that  was  partially  offset  by  lower  expenses  related  to  two  employees  who 
were involved with patent monetization and who left the company in 2012.

Income from continuing operations - 2012 compared to 2011.
Income from continuing operations increased from $3.6 million in 2011 to $72.4 million in 2012. The increase was 
primarily  due  to  the  sale  of  patents  in  2012.    Operating  income  before  patent  related  income  provides  a  more 
meaningful measure of on-going operating results. On that basis, operating income increased by $1.5 million from 
$3.5  million  in  2011  to  $5.0  million  in  2012.  The  $1.5  million  increase  was  primarily  due  to  a  combination  of 
increased revenue and profitability in our biometrics business and lower general and administrative expenses. 

Software Licenses 

Software licenses consist of revenue from the sale of biometrics and imaging software products. Sales of software 
products depend on our ability to win proposals to supply software for biometrics systems projects either directly to 
government customers or indirectly through channel partners. 

Software license revenue decreased 13% from $9.5 million in 2012 to $8.2 million in 2013. As a percentage of total 
revenue, software license revenue decreased from 55% in 2012 to 43% in 2013.  The dollar decrease in software 
license revenue was primarily due to lower sales to systems integrator and OEM customers.  Software license sales 
to direct government customers were approximately the same in both years. We believe that lower software demand 
from  channel  partners  in  2013  was  primarily  attributable  to  two  factors:  i)  our  partners  won  fewer  new  systems 
projects proposals involving our software in 2013; and ii) some larger projects that commenced in 2011 and 2012 
wound down during 2013. 

Software license revenue increased 22% from $7.8 million in 2011 to $9.5 million in 2012. As a percentage of total 
revenue,  software  license  revenue  increased  from  48%  in  2011  to  55%  in  2012.    The  dollar  increase  in  software 
license  revenue  was  primarily  due  to  the  following  factors:  i)  license  purchases  by  legacy  and  new  systems 
integrator  customers  for  large  projects  in  which  they  were  engaged;  ii)  a  large  direct  sale  to  a  U.S.  government 
agency; iii) the addition of new sales representatives; and iv) the expanded use of non-employee sales agents outside 
the United States.   

Software Maintenance 

Software maintenance consists of revenue from the sale of software maintenance contracts. Software maintenance 
contracts  entitle  customers  to  receive  software  support  and  software  updates,  if  and  when  they  become  available, 
during the term of the contract. 

Software maintenance revenue increased 27% from $3.0 million in 2012 to $3.9 million in 2013. As a percentage of 
total revenue, software maintenance revenue increased from 18% in 2012 to 20% in 2013.   

23

 
 
Software maintenance revenue increased 17% from $2.6 million in 2011 to $3.0 million in 2012. As a percentage of 
total revenue, software maintenance revenue increased from 16% in 2011 to 18% in 2012.   

The  dollar  increase  in  software  maintenance  revenue  in  2012  and  2013  was  primarily  due  to  a  growing  base  of 
customers who use our software and who also purchase maintenance contracts on that software.  A majority of our 
customers  purchase  software  maintenance  contracts  when  they  initially  purchase  software  licenses.    Since  our 
software is used in active biometrics systems, most of our customers continue to renew their maintenance contracts 
in subsequent years while systems remain operational. The increases in software maintenance revenue in 2012 and 
2013  were  primarily  due  to  software  license  sales  in  2011,  2012  and  2013  which  drove  the  initial  purchase  of 
maintenance and the subsequent renewal of those contracts. 

Services

Services  consist  of  fees  we  charge  to  perform  software  development,  integration,  installation,  and  customization 
services.  Similar  to  software  license  revenue,  services  revenue  depends  on  our  ability  to  win  biometrics  systems 
projects either directly with government customers or in conjunction with channel partners.  Services revenue will 
fluctuate when we commence new projects and/or when we complete projects that were started in previous periods. 

Services  increased  22%  from  $2.6  million  in  2012  to  $3.1  million  in  2013.    As  a  percentage  of  total  revenue, 
services increased from 15% in 2012 to 16% in 2013.  The dollar increase in services revenue was primarily due to a 
significant project with a new U.S. government customer that commenced in 2013. As of December 31, 2013, we 
had $2.2 million of services revenue in backlog with this customer, which we expect to deliver in 2014.  Services 
revenue derived from all other government customers and channel partners in 2012 and 2013 was approximately the 
same in both years. 

Services  decreased  30%  from  $3.7  million  in  2011  to  $2.6  million  in  2012.    As  a  percentage  of  total  revenue, 
services decreased from 23% in 2011 to 15% in 2012.  The dollar decrease in services revenue was primarily due to 
lower  services  revenue  from  two  larger  customers.  One  customer  project  ended  in  late  2011  and  produced  little 
revenue  in  2012  after  a  significant  amount  of  revenue  in  2011.  The  other  customer  project wound down over  the 
course  of  2012  and  resulted  in  significantly  less  revenue  in  2012  compared  to  2011  when  the  project  was  most 
active.  Services  revenue  derived  from  all  other  customers  in  2011  and  2012  was  approximately  the  same  in  both 
years.

Hardware sales 

Hardware sales consist of sales of biometrics equipment to a single U.S. government customer.  Over the past five 
years, we developed biometrics software for this customer under a Small Business Innovation Research (“SBIR”) 
contract.    When  the  software  development  phase  ended  in  February  2013,  we  entered  into  a  separate  contract  to 
supply hardware products incorporating the developed software. Hardware products sold to this customer integrate 
hardware purchased from third parties with software from other third parties as well as software from Aware. We 
evaluated  the  classification  of  gross  versus  net  revenue  recognition  and  determined  gross  recognition  was 
appropriate.  We commenced shipments of equipment under this contract in May 2013. 

Hardware sales increased from $0 in 2012 to $3.2 million in 2013.  As a percentage of total revenue, hardware sales 
increased from 0% in 2012 to 16% in 2013.  The dollar increase in hardware sales was due to the commencement of 
shipments in 2013.  

There were no hardware sales in 2012 and 2011.  

We  are  unable  to  predict  future  hardware  sales  with  any  degree  of  certainty  because:  i)  our  contract  with  the 
government  provides  pricing,  but  does  not  obligate  the  government  to  purchase  any  products  until  it  provides  us 
with  purchase  orders;  and  ii)  we  have  minimal  historical  experience  with  which  to  make  revenue  projections. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, we received an order in September 2013 for $4.7 million of hardware products.  We 
shipped $2.1 million of this order in the fourth quarter of 2013, and we intend to ship the remaining $2.6 million in 
the first quarter of 2014.   

24

Royalties 

Royalties consist of royalty payments we receive under DSL silicon contracts with two customers that incorporate 
our silicon intellectual property (“IP”) in their DSL chipsets.  We sold our DSL IP business in 2009, but we continue 
to receive royalty payments from these customers. 

Royalties  decreased  58%  from  $2.2  million  in  2012  to  $0.9  million  in  2013.  As  a  percentage  of  total  revenue, 
royalties decreased from 12% in 2012 to 5% in 2013.  The dollar decrease in royalties was primarily due to lower 
DSL  royalties  from  both  of  our  licensees. One  of our  licensees  achieved  chipset  sales  that  exceeded  certain  sales 
thresholds  in  our  contractual  arrangement  in  late  2012.  The  achievement  of  those  sales  thresholds  triggered 
reductions  in  the  royalty  rate  it  is  required  to  pay  on  certain  products  and  eliminated  them  altogether  on  other 
products.  Our other licensee also reported lower royalties to us in 2013. 

Royalties  were  essentially  unchanged  at  approximately  $2.2  million  in  2011  and  2012.    As  a  percentage  of  total 
revenue, royalties decreased from 13% in 2011 to 12% in 2012.  Unchanged royalty revenue reflects higher DSL 
royalties from one customer that were offset by lower DSL royalties from the other. 

We believe it is likely that royalties will continue to decline in future quarters. 

Cost of Hardware Sales 

Cost  of  hardware  sales  consists  primarily  of  the  cost  of  third  party  equipment  and  software  included  in  hardware 
shipments. 

Cost of hardware sales increased from $0 in 2012 to $2.4 million in 2013. Cost of hardware sales as a percentage of 
hardware sales were 74% in 2013, which means that gross margins on hardware sales were 26%. The dollar increase 
in cost of hardware sales was due to the commencement of hardware shipments in 2013. 

There were no hardware sales in 2012 and 2011, therefore there was no cost of hardware sales in those years.  

Cost of Services 

Cost of services consists of engineering costs to perform customer services projects.  Such costs primarily include: i) 
engineering  salaries,  stock-based  compensation,  fringe  benefits,  and  facilities;  and  ii)  engineering  consultants  and 
contractors. 

Cost  of  services  was  unchanged  at  $1.5  million  in  2012  and  2013.  As  a  percentage  of  services  revenue,  cost  of 
services decreased from 60% in 2012 to 48% in 2013, which resulted in gross margins on service revenue increasing 
from 40% to 52%.  

Cost  of  services  was  unchanged  at  $1.5  million  in  2011  and  2012.    As  a  percentage  of  services  revenue,  cost  of 
services increased from 41% in 2011 to 60% in 2012, which resulted in gross margins on service revenue decreasing 
from 59% to 40%.   

Gross  services  margins  of  52%,  40%,  and  59%  in  2013,  2012  and  2011,  respectively,  were  a  function  of:  i)  the 
nature of the projects; ii) the level of engineering difficulty and labor hours required to complete project tasks; and 
iii)  how  much  we  were  able  to  charge.    Gross  margins  in  these  years  reflect  the  profitability  mix  of  customer 
projects. We expect that gross margins on services will continue to fluctuate in future periods based on the nature, 
complexity, and pricing of future projects. 

Research and Development Expense 

Research  and  development  expense  consists  of  costs  for:  i)  engineering  personnel,  including  salaries,  stock-based 
compensation, fringe benefits, and facilities; ii) engineering consultants and contractors, and iii) other engineering 
expenses such as supplies, equipment depreciation, dues and memberships and travel.  Engineering costs incurred to 
develop our technology and products are classified as research and development expense. As described in the cost of 

25

services section, engineering costs incurred to provide engineering services for customer projects are classified as 
cost of services, and are not included in research and development expense. 

The  classification  of  total  engineering  costs  to  research  and  development  expense  and  cost  of  services  was  (in 
thousands): 

  Research and development expense ............................
  Cost of services ...........................................................
     Total engineering costs ............................................

Years ended December 31, 
2013 
$4,085 
1,503 
$5,588 

2012 
$3,489 
1,542 
$5,031 

2011 
$3,203 
1,518 
$4,721 

Research  and  development  expense  increased  17%  from  $3.5  million  in  2012  to  $4.1  million  in  2013.    As  a 
percentage of total revenue, research and development expense increased from 20% in 2012 to 21% in 2013.   

Research  and  development  expense  increased  9%  from  $3.2  million  in  2011  to  $3.5  million  in  2012.    As  a 
percentage of total revenue, research and development expense was unchanged at 20% in 2011 and 2012.   

The dollar increase in research and development expense in 2013 and 2012 was primarily due to headcount growth 
in our engineering organization.  We hired additional engineers in both years to help us develop new products and 
enhance our existing products to enable us to participate more fully in future biometrics systems projects.  The dollar 
increase  in  research  and  development  spending  in  these  years  was  partially  offset  by  lower  expenses  related  to  a 
former employee who was involved with the effort to monetize patents who left the company in 2012. 

We  anticipate  that  we  will  continue  to  focus  our  future  research  and  development  activities  on  enhancing  our 
existing products and developing new products. 

Selling and Marketing Expense 

Selling and marketing expense primarily consists of costs for: i) sales and marketing personnel, including salaries, 
sales  commissions,  stock-based  compensation,  fringe  benefits,  travel,  and  facilities;  and  ii)  advertising  and 
promotion expenses. 

Selling  and  marketing  expense  was  essentially  unchanged  at  approximately  $3.4 million  in 2012  and 2013.   As a 
percentage  of  total  revenue,  selling  and  marketing  expense  decreased  from  20%  in  2012  to  18%  in  2013.  
Unchanged selling and marketing expense reflects two sets of offsetting factors.  Expenses increased due to growth 
in  our  sales  organization,  but  those  increases  were  mostly offset  by  lower  expenses  related  to  a  former  employee 
who was involved with the effort to monetize patents who left the company in 2012. Expense growth in the sales 
organization was driven by new sales employees, foreign sales agents, and higher sales commissions. 

Selling and marketing expense increased 13% from $3.0 million in 2011 to $3.4 million in 2012.  As a percentage of 
total revenue, selling and  marketing expense increased from 18% in 2011 to 20% in 2012. The dollar increase in 
selling and marketing expense was primarily due to higher spending on new sales employees, foreign sales agents 
and sales commissions.  

.
General and Administrative Expense 

General  and  administrative  expense  consists  primarily  of  costs  for:  i)  officers,  directors  and  administrative 
personnel,  including  salaries,  bonuses,  director  compensation,  stock-based  compensation,  fringe  benefits,  and 
facilities;  ii)  professional  fees,  including  legal  and  audit  fees;  iii)  public  company  expenses;  and  iv)  other 
administrative expenses, such as insurance costs and bad debt provisions. 

General  and  administrative  expense  decreased  9%  from  $3.9  million  in  2012  to  $3.5  million  in  2013.    As  a 
percentage of total revenue, general and administrative expense decreased from 22% in 2012 to 18% in 2013.  The 
dollar decrease in general and administrative expense was primarily due to two sets of offsetting factors.  Expenses 
decreased  due  to  lower:  i)  patent  prosecution  legal  fees;  ii)  audit  fees;  and  iii)  general  corporate  legal  fees.  Such 

26

 
 
 
 
 
 
expense reductions were partially offset by stock-based compensation costs associated with a stock grant to directors 
and officers in April 2013. 

General  and  administrative  expense  decreased  23%  from  $5.0  million  in  2011  to  $3.9  million  in  2012.    As  a 
percentage of total revenue, general and administrative expense decreased from 31% in 2011 to 22% in 2012.  The 
dollar  decrease  in  general  and  administrative  expense  was primarily  due  to:  i)  $0.8  million  of  lower  salary, 
severance, stock-based compensation and consulting expenses related to our former CEO; ii) $0.5 million of lower 
expenses  related  to  our  former  Chairman  whose  expenses  were  classified  as  sales  and  marketing  expense 
commencing in the fourth quarter of 2011 when his title and role changed; and iii) and $0.1 million of lower stock-
based compensation expenses for other members of senior management and our administrative staff.  Lower general 
and  administrative  expenses  related  to  these  three  factors  were  partially  offset  by:  i)  $0.2  million  of  higher  third 
party  accounting  fees  to  assist  us  with  the  tax  accounting  on  gains  on  patent  asset  sales;  and  ii)  $0.1  million  of 
higher other administrative expenses.  

Gain on Sale of Patent Assets 

In 2011, we engaged an intellectual property law firm to help us conduct a process to sell a portion of our patent 
portfolio  pertaining  to  wireless  and  certain DSL  patents. The  process  produced  two  significant  patent  sales  for  a 
total of $86.4 million of net gains in 2012.  The two patent sales are described below: 

(cid:120) On April 26, 2012, we entered into an agreement with an unaffiliated third party to sell a portion of our patent 
portfolio pertaining to wireless technology for $75.0 million. The proceeds from the sale were reduced by $3.8 
million of transaction costs, which consisted primarily of fees from the law firm that assisted us in the sale.  The 
transaction closed on June 21, 2012 and resulted in a gain of $71.2 million.  

(cid:120) On August 22, 2012, we entered into an agreement with an unaffiliated third party to sell a portion of our patent 
portfolio pertaining to digital subscriber line (“DSL”) technology for $16.0 million. The proceeds from the sale 
were reduced by $0.8 million of transaction costs, which also consisted primarily of fees from the law firm that 
assisted us in the sale.  The transaction closed on September 21, 2012 and resulted in a gain of $15.2 million. 

Income from Patent Arrangement 

In December 2010, we entered into an arrangement with an unaffiliated third party under which we assigned certain 
patents in return for royalties on proceeds from patent monetization efforts by the third party.  

In 2012 and 2013, we recorded income from this entity of $1.1 million and $0.8 million, respectively. 

We are unable to predict how much more income we might receive from this arrangement, if any, because we do not 
know whether any patent monetization efforts by the third party will be successful. 

Other Income 

We recorded $85,000 and $23,000 of other income in the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2013, respectively. 
These amounts represented realized gains from sales or calls of high yield bond investments. 

Interest Income 

Interest income increased 44%, or $101,000, from $227,000 in 2012 to $328,000 in 2013. The dollar increase was 
primarily due to interest income from high yield bonds as we held more bonds in 2013 than 2012. 

Interest income increased 175%, or $144,000, from $83,000 in 2011 to $227,000 in 2012. The dollar increase was 
primarily due to: i) interest income from high yield bonds; and ii) higher cash balances as a result of the patent sales 
in 2012. 

27

Income Taxes 

We are subject to income taxes in the United States and we use estimates in determining our provisions for income 
taxes. We account for income taxes using the asset and liability method for accounting and reporting income taxes. 
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on temporary differences between the financial reporting and 
income tax bases of assets and liabilities using statutory rates.  

A discussion of income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 follows: 

Year ended December 31, 2013 

Total income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $1.2 million, including $1.9 million that was 
recorded  in  continuing  operations  less  a  tax  benefit  of  $0.7  million  that  was  recorded  in  discontinued  operations. 
Income  tax  expense  for 2013 was based on  the  U.S.  statutory  rate of  34%,  increased by  state  income  taxes.    Tax 
expense in 2013 also reflects two items related to 2012, including: 

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

a tax benefit of $95,000 related to the 2012 research tax credit. This credit was extended retroactively back 
to January 1, 2012, by the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, which was enacted on January 2, 2013; 
and

a tax benefit of $148,000 related to a reduction in the estimate of the 2012 tax expense recorded in our 2012 
financial statements. 

As  of  December  31,  2013,  we  had  a  total  of  $1.1  million  of  deferred  tax  assets  for  which  we  had  recorded  no 
valuation allowance.  We will continue to assess the level of valuation allowance in future periods.  Should evidence 
regarding  the  realizability  of  tax  assets  change  at  a  future  point  in  time,  the  valuation  allowance  will  be  adjusted 
accordingly.

In  addition  to  deferred  tax  assets  carried  on  our  balance  sheet,  we  also  had  net  federal  and  state  research  and 
development credit carryforwards available at December 31, 2013 of $4.9 million and $0.7 million. These credits 
were not recorded as tax assets as they relate to excess stock compensation deductions that may not be recorded as 
tax  assets  under  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  until  the  amounts  have  been  utilized  to  reduce  our  tax 
liability. To the extent that these assets can be used to reduce taxes, the benefit must be recorded as a reduction to 
additional paid-in capital. In 2013, we recorded a tax benefit of $128,000 to equity related to the use of these tax 
credits to reduce our tax liability.   

Year ended December 31, 2012 

Total income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $20.4 million, including $20.5 million that was 
recorded  in  continuing  operations  less  a  tax benefit  of  $51,000  that was  recorded  in discontinued operations.  The 
Company’s  actual  tax  liability  for  2012  was  $7.8  million  as  taxes  that  were  currently  payable  were  reduced  by  a 
$14.4 million equity adjustment. This equity adjustment is described more fully below.  

In 2012, we used a significant portion of our available deferred tax assets to reduce income taxes on pre-tax income. 
A  substantial  portion  of  the  deferred  tax  assets  we  utilized  comprised  cumulative  deductions  for  stock  options  in 
excess  of  book  expense.  Under  income  tax  accounting  rules,  the  portion  of  tax  benefits  attributable  to  such 
deductions must be recorded as an adjustment to equity versus a reduction of income tax expense. In the year ended 
December  31, 2012,  the  tax benefits  from  such  stock-based  awards  were  $14.4  million,  which  we  recorded  as  an 
equity adjustment to additional paid-in capital. 

Income tax expense in 2012 was also reduced by a $1.8 million reversal of the valuation allowance on our remaining 
deferred tax assets at December 31, 2012. We reversed the valuation allowance because based on all the available 
evidence, we believed that it is more likely than not that our deferred tax assets will be realizable.  In reaching this 
determination,  we  evaluated:  i)  our  most  recent  years  operating  results;  ii)  our  future  financial  plans;  and  iii)  the 
nature of the components comprising deferred tax assets at December 31, 2012. 

28

Year ended December 31, 2011 

Total  income  tax  expense  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2011  was  $2,000,  all  of  which  was  recorded  in 
continuing operations.  Income tax expense in 2011 comprised state excise taxes as we had net operating losses for 
federal and state income tax purposes. 

Loss from discontinued operation, net of income taxes.

Loss  from  discontinued  operations,  net  of  income  taxes  reflects  results  from  our  discontinued  DSL  Service 
Assurance Segment. This segment includes results from our DSL hardware and software product lines that we shut 
down in 2012 and 2013, respectively.  Loss from such discontinued operations was (in thousands): 

Years ended December 31, 
2012 

2013 

2011 

  Revenue .......................................................................
  Expenses .....................................................................
     Loss before income taxes .........................................
  Income tax benefit  ......................................................
     Loss from discontinued operations ..........................

$3,216 
5,120 
(1,904) 
(748) 
($1,156) 

$5,431 
5,558 
(127) 
(51) 
($76) 

$8,387 
9,401 
(1,014) 
- 
($1,014) 

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

In recent years, we have financed the company with our cash balances, cash generated from operations, and cash 
received from the sale of patent assets.  Equity financing has not been a meaningful source of financing for us in 
recent years. Cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities are described below. 

Cash flow from operating activities 
In the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2011, our operating activities provided net cash of $2.8 million and $6.8 
million, respectively.  In the year ended December 31, 2012, our operating activities used net cash of $15.3 million. 
A discussion of cash flow from operations for each of the last three years follows: 

Year ended December 31, 2013. Cash provided by operations of $2.8 million in 2013 was primarily the result of 
net income of $2.6 million, which was increased for non-cash items related to depreciation and amortization of 
$0.5  million  and  stock-based  compensation  expense  of  $0.7  million.    Cash  provided  from  these  sources  was 
partially offset by $1.0 million of net cash used to fund working capital items. 

Year ended December 31, 2012. Cash used by operating activities of $15.3 million in 2012 was primarily the 
result of: i) cash provided by on-going operations of $6.7 million; less ii) income tax items on patent sales of 
$22.0 million.  A discussion of each of these factors follows: 

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

Cash  provided  by  on-going  operations  of  $6.7  million  was  the  result  of:  i)  operating  income  before 
patent  related  income  of  $5.0  million;  ii)  interest  income  and  other  income  of  $0.3  million;  iii) 
adjustments for non-cash items related to depreciation and stock-based compensation of $0.5 million 
and $0.3 million, respectively; and iv) changes in working capital components that increased cash by 
$0.6 million. 

Cash  provided  by  on-going  operations  of  $6.7  million  was  reduced  by  $22.0  million  of  income  tax 
items that were incurred as a result of our patent sales in 2012. The $22.0 million of income tax items 
comprises: i) $7.6 million of tax payments; and ii) $14.4 million of tax expense that is reduced by a tax 
benefit  from  excess  stock-based  compensation  that  must  be  presented  as  cash  flows  from  financing 
activities under generally accepted accounting principles as opposed to an item that benefits cash flows 
from operating activities. 

Year ended December 31, 2011. Cash provided by operations of $6.8 million in 2011 was primarily the result of 
net income of $2.6 million, which was increased for non-cash items related to depreciation and amortization of 

29

 
 
$0.5  million  and  stock-based  compensation  expense  of  $1.3  million.    Cash  provided  by  operations  was  also 
driven higher by a $2.7 million reduction in accounts receivable and inventory, which was partially offset by a 
$0.3 million reduction of liabilities. 

Cash flow from investing activities 
In  the  years  ended  December  31,  2013  and  2011,  our  investing  activities  used  net  cash  of  $1.4  million  and  $1.1 
million,  respectively.  In  the  year  ended  December  31,  2012,  our  investing  activities  provided  net  cash  of  $85.1 
million. A discussion of cash flow from investing activities for each of the last three years follows: 

Year  ended  December  31,  2013.  Cash  used  by  investing  activities  of  $1.4  million  in  2013  was  primarily  the 
result of $0.2 million of capital expenditures, $0.9 million of net investment purchases, and $0.3 million used to 
purchase other assets. 

Year ended December 31, 2012. Cash provided by investing activities of $85.1 million in 2012 was primarily 
due to $86.4 million of net proceeds from the sale of patent assets.  Cash provided from the sale of patent assets 
was reduced by: i) $0.1 million of capital expenditures; and ii) $1.2 million of net investment purchases.

Year ended December 31, 2011.  Cash used by investing activities of $1.1 million in 2011 was primarily the 
result of $0.3 million of capital expenditures and $0.7 million used to purchase investments. 

We have no material commitments for capital expenditures.  

Cash flow from financing activities 
In the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2011, our financing activities provided net cash of $122,000 and $0.9 
million, respectively. In the year ended December 31, 2012, our financing investing activities used net cash of $45.3 
million.  A discussion of cash flow from financing activities for each of the last three years follows: 

Year ended December 31, 2013. Cash provided by financing activities of $122,000 in 2013 was primarily the 
result  of  $65,000  of  proceeds  from  the  issuance  of  stock  under  employee  stock  programs  and  $128,000  of 
excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation. Cash provided by these two factors was partially offset by 
$71,000 used to repurchase stock from employees in connection with stock issuances under a 2013 stock grant. 

Year ended December 31, 2012. Cash used by financing activities of $45.3 million in 2012 was primarily the 
result  of  $66.0  million  of  dividend  payments  and  $0.2  million  used  to  repurchase  stock  from  employees  in 
connection  with  stock  issuances  under  a  2010  stock  grant  program.  Cash  usage  by  these  two  factors  was 
partially  offset  by:  i)  $6.5  million  of  proceeds  from  the  exercise  of  stock  options;  and  ii)  a  $14.4  million  tax 
benefit related to excess stock-based compensation. 

Year ended December 31, 2011.  Cash provided by financing activities of $0.9 million in 2011 was primarily 
the result of $1.8 million of proceeds from the exercise of stock options.  Proceeds from stock option exercises 
were partially offset by $0.7 million used to repurchase our stock from a shareholder in a privately negotiated 
transaction, and $0.2 million used to repurchase stock from employees in connection with stock issuances under 
a 2010 stock grant program.  

At December 31, 2013, we had cash and cash equivalents of $72.7 million and investments of $2.8 million.  While 
we cannot assure you that we will not require additional financing, or that such financing will be available to us, we 
believe that our cash and cash equivalents and investments will be sufficient to fund our operations for at least the 
next twelve months. 

To date, inflation has not had a material impact on our financial results.  There can be no assurance, however, that 
inflation will not adversely affect our financial results in the future.

30

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS 

We  do  not  currently  have  any  arrangements  with  unconsolidated  entities,  such  as  entities  often  referred  to  as 
structured finance, special purpose entities, or variable interest entities which are often established for the purpose of 
facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.  Accordingly, we are 
not exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk if we had such relationships.

During  2011  and  2012  we  disclosed  that  we  had  a  patent  arrangement  with  an  unaffiliated  third  party  that  we 
classified as a variable interest entity.  We also disclosed that: i) we had no equity interest in this entity; ii) we were 
not  contractually  obligated  to  fund  this  entity,  therefore  our  maximum  exposure  to  loss  as  a  result  of  our 
involvement with this entity was zero; iii) we may receive royalties in the future if certain conditions are met; iv) we 
were not the primary beneficiary of this entity; v) we have not consolidated this entity’s results into our financial 
statements, therefore we carried the assets and liabilities of this entity in our balance sheet at zero; and vi) prior to 
September 30, 2012, this arrangement had no impact on our results of operations, financial position or cash flows in 
any previous periods. 

In August 2012, certain contractual provisions of the arrangement were amended.  As a result, the arrangement was 
no  longer  considered  a  variable  interest  entity  under  generally  accepted  accounting  principles,  and  we  ceased  to 
classify it as such once the amendment was signed. 

31

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS 

We  have  various  contractual  obligations  impacting  our  liquidity.    The  following  represents  our  contractual 
obligations as of December 31, 2013 (in thousands): 

Contractual Obligations 

Total 

1 year 

1-3 years 

3-5 years 

5 years 

Payments Due By Period 

  Less than 

  More than 

Purchase orders 
Total 

      $57 
        $57 

      $57 
        $57 

 $- 
 $- 

$- 
 $- 

$- 
 $- 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

We  consider  certain  accounting  policies  related  to  revenue  recognition,  stock-based  compensation,  income  taxes, 
and the allowance for doubtful accounts to be critical policies.  

Revenue recognition.  We derive revenue from five sources: (i) software licenses; (ii) software maintenance; (iii) 
services; iv) hardware sales; and (v) royalties.    

We recognize revenue when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the sales price is fixed or determinable, 
collection of the related receivable is reasonably assured, and delivery has occurred or services have been rendered.  
As  described below,  we  make  significant  judgments  during  the process  of  determining  revenue  for any  particular 
accounting period.   

In  determining  revenue  recognition,  we  assess  whether  fees  associated  with  revenue  transactions  are  fixed  or 
determinable based on the terms of the contract and based on payment terms. If the fee is not fixed or determinable, 
we  defer  the  fee  and  recognize  revenue  as  amounts  become  due  and  payable.  We  assess  whether  collection  is 
reasonably assured based on a number of factors, including past transaction history with the customer and the credit-
worthiness of the customer.  If we determine that collection of a fee is not reasonably assured, we defer the fee and 
recognize revenue at the time collection becomes reasonably assured. 

We  must  also  make  judgments  with  respect  to  the  recognition  of  revenue  for  multiple  element  revenue 
arrangements. We recognize revenue for multiple element arrangements as follows:  

o When  software  licenses  and  maintenance  contracts  are  sold  together,  we  recognize  software  license  revenue 
upon  delivery,  provided  we  have  vendor  specific  objective  evidence  (“VSOE”)  for  the  fair  value  of  the 
maintenance  contract  fee,  and  we  recognize  the  fair  value  of  maintenance  contract  revenue  ratably  over  the 
related contract period.  

o When  engineering  services  and  software  licenses  are  sold  together,  the  total  fee  is  generally  recognized  by 
applying contract accounting.  We have adopted the percentage-of-completion method of contract accounting, 
and we primarily use an input method (i.e., labor hours) to determine our completion percentage.  

o When  we  sell  services,  software  licenses  and  maintenance  together,  revenue  is  recognized  as  follows:  i) 
maintenance  revenue  is  separated  from  the  other  two  elements  and  is  recognized  ratably  over  the  related 
contract  period;  provided  we  have  VSOE  for  the  fair  value  of  the  maintenance  element;  and  ii)  the  total  fee 
from the software license and engineering service elements is recognized by applying the contract accounting 
method described in the previous paragraph. 

o We  have  a  multiple  element  arrangement  with  one  customer  that  involves  the  delivery  of  hardware, 
maintenance, and services.  We determined that these elements qualified as separate units of accounting because 
they  have  value  to  the  customer  on  a  standalone  basis.    Accordingly,  we  recognize  hardware  revenue  upon 
delivery  and  acceptance  by  the  customer,  maintenance  revenue  ratably  over  the  related  contract  period,  and 
service revenue as services are delivered. 

32

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Our revenue recognition policies are described more fully in Note 2, Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, 
in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Stock-Based Compensation.   We grant stock options and stock to our employees and directors.  We measure stock-
based compensation cost at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and recognize it as expense over the 
applicable vesting period of the award using the straight-line basis.  

We use the Black-Scholes valuation model to estimate the fair value of stock option awards. This valuation model 
takes into account the exercise price of the award, as well as a variety of significant assumptions.  The assumptions 
used to estimate the fair value of stock options include the expected term, the expected volatility of our stock over 
the expected term, the risk-free interest rate over the expected term, and our expected annual dividend yield.   

For stock awards, we determine the fair value of the award by using the fair market value of our stock on the date of 
grant; provided the number of shares in the grant is fixed on the grant date. 

Income taxes.  As part of the process of preparing our consolidated financial statements we are required to estimate 
our  actual  current  tax  expense.    We  must  also  estimate  temporary  and  permanent  differences  that  result  from 
differing treatment of certain items for tax and accounting purposes.  These differences result in deferred tax assets 
and liabilities, which are included in our consolidated balance sheet.  We must then assess the likelihood that our 
deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and to the extent we believe recovery is not likely, 
we  must  establish  a  valuation  allowance.    To  the  extent  we  establish  a  valuation  allowance  or  increase  this 
allowance in a period for deferred tax assets, which have been recognized, we must include an expense with the tax 
provision in the statement of operations.  Conversely, to the extent we decrease our valuation allowance in a period 
for deferred tax assets, which have been previously reserved, we must include a tax benefit with the tax provision in 
the statement of operations. 

Significant management judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes, our deferred tax assets, 
and any valuation allowance recorded against our net deferred tax assets.  Our deferred tax assets primarily relate to 
temporary  differences  that result  from  differing  treatment of  certain  items  for  tax  and  accounting purposes.  As of 
December 31, 2013, we had a total of $1.1 million of deferred tax assets for which we had recorded no valuation 
allowance.  

We will continue to assess the level of valuation allowance required in future periods. Should evidence regarding the 
realizability of tax assets change at a future point in time, the valuation allowance will be adjusted accordingly.  

Allowance  for  doubtful  accounts.    We  make  judgments  as  to  our  ability  to  collect  outstanding  receivables  and 
provide allowances for receivables when collection becomes doubtful.  Provisions are made based upon a specific 
review of all significant outstanding invoices.  If the judgments we make to determine the allowance for doubtful 
accounts  do  not  reflect  the  future  ability  to  collect  outstanding  receivables,  additional  provisions  for  doubtful 
accounts may be required. 

33

RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

There were no recently issued accounting pronouncements applicable to us that we had not adopted as of December 
31, 2013.

ITEM 7A.   QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Our exposure to market risk relates primarily to our investment portfolio, and the effect that changes in interest rates 
would have on that portfolio. Our investment portfolio at December 31, 2013 consisted of two elements: 

1. Cash  and  cash  equivalents.  As  of  December  31,  2013,  our  cash  and  cash  equivalents  of  $72.7  million  were 
primarily invested in money market funds. The money market funds were invested in high quality, short term 
financial instruments. Due to the nature, short duration, and professional management of these funds, we do not 
expect that a general increase in interest rates would result in any material loss.

2.

Investments. As of December 31, 2013, our investments of $2.8 million were invested in high yield bonds with 
five corporate debt issuers, which mature in 2015 through 2018.  While we are exposed to default risk, the high 
current yield of these bonds largely mitigates interest rate risk. Therefore, due to the high current yield and the 
two to five year life of these instruments, we do not believe that a general increase in interest rates would result 
in any material loss.  

We do not use derivative financial instruments for speculative or trading purposes.   

34

ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

Board of Directors and Stockholders of Aware, Inc.: 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Aware, Inc. (“the Company”) as of December 31, 
2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, stockholders' equity, 
and cash flows for the years then ended, and the financial statement schedule listed in Item 15a as of December 31, 
2013  and  2012.  We  also  have  audited  Aware  Inc.’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of  December  31, 
2013,  based  on  criteria  established  in  Internal  Control  —  Integrated  Framework  issued  by  the  Committee  of 
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in 1992.  The Company’s management is responsible for 
these financial statements and financial statement schedule, for maintaining effective internal control over financial 
reporting,  and  for  its  assessment  of  the  effectiveness  of  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  included  in  the 
accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.  Our responsibility is to express 
an opinion on these financial statements and an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting 
based on our audits. 

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  the  standards  of  the  Public  Company  Accounting  Oversight  Board 
(United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about 
whether  the  financial  statements  are  free  of  material  misstatement  and  whether  effective  internal  control  over 
financial  reporting  was  maintained  in  all  material  respects.    Our  audit  of  the  financial  statements  included 
examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the 
accounting  principles  used  and  significant  estimates  made  by  management,  and  evaluating  the  overall  financial 
statement presentation.  Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of 
internal  control  over  financial  reporting,  assessing  the  risk  that  a  material  weakness  exists,  and  testing  and 
evaluating  the  design  and  operating  effectiveness  of  internal  control  based  on  the  assessed  risk.    Our  audits  also 
included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances.  We believe that our 
audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions. 

A  company's  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  is  a  process  designed  to  provide  reasonable  assurance 
regarding  the  reliability  of  financial  reporting  and  the  preparation  of  financial  statements  for  external  purposes  in 
accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles.    A  company's  internal  control  over  financial  reporting 
includes  those  policies  and  procedures  that  (a)  pertain  to  the  maintenance  of  records  that,  in  reasonable  detail, 
accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (b) provide reasonable 
assurance  that  transactions  are  recorded  as  necessary  to  permit  preparation  of  financial  statements  in  accordance 
with generally  accepted  accounting principles,  and  that  receipts  and  expenditures of  the  company  are  being  made 
only  in  accordance  with  authorizations  of  management  and  directors  of  the  company;  and  (c)  provide  reasonable 
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's 
assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements.  
Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become 
inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may 
deteriorate.

In  our  opinion,  the  consolidated  financial  statements  referred  to  above  present  fairly,  in  all  material  respects,  the 
financial position of Aware, Inc. as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the consolidated results of its operations 
and  its  cash  flows  for  the  years  then  ended,  in  conformity  with  accounting  principles  generally  accepted  in  the 
United States of America, and in our opinion, the related financial statement schedule for the years ended December 
31,  2013  and  2012,  when  considered  in  relation  to  the  basic  consolidated  financial  statements  taken  as  a  whole, 
present fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.  Also in our opinion, Aware, Inc. maintained, 
in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, based on criteria 
established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of 
the Treadway Commission. 

/s/ McGladrey LLP 
Boston, Massachusetts 
February 18, 2014

35

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm 

To Board of Directors and Stockholders of Aware, Inc.: 

In  our  opinion,  the  consolidated  financial  statements  listed  in  the  index appearing  under  Item  15  (a)  (1)  present 
fairly, in all material respects, the results of operations and cash flows of Aware, Inc. and its subsidiary for the year 
ended  December  31,  2011  in  conformity  with  accounting  principles  generally  accepted  in  the  United  States  of 
America.  In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule for the year ended December 31, 2011 listed 
in the index appearing under Item 15 (a) (2) presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein 
when  read  in  conjunction  with  the  related  consolidated  financial  statements.  These  financial  statements  and 
financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company’s management.  Our responsibility is to express 
an opinion on these financial statements and on the financial statement schedule based on our audits.  We conducted 
our audits of these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board 
(United States).  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about 
whether  the  financial  statements  are  free  of  material  misstatement.  An  audit  includes  examining,  on  a  test  basis, 
evidence  supporting  the  amounts  and  disclosures  in  the  financial  statements,  assessing  the  accounting  principles 
used  and  significant  estimates  made  by  management,  and  evaluating  the  overall  financial  statement  presentation.  
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP 
Boston, Massachusetts  

February 21, 2012 except for the effects of discontinued operations discussed in Note 4 to the consolidated financial 
statements, as to which the date is February 18, 2014.

36

AWARE, INC. 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS 
(in thousands, except share data)

ASSETS 
Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents ........................................................................  
     Accounts receivable (less allowance for doubtful 
        accounts of $20 at December 31, 2013 and 2012) .................................  
     Receivable from patent arrangement ........................................................  
     Inventories ................................................................................................  
     Deferred tax assets ....................................................................................  
     Prepaid expenses and other current assets ................................................  
           Total current assets .............................................................................  

Property and equipment, net ..........................................................................  
Investments  ...................................................................................................  
Long term deferred tax assets  .......................................................................  
Other assets ....................................................................................................  
           Total assets ..........................................................................................  

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities: 
     Accounts payable ......................................................................................  
     Accrued expenses .....................................................................................  
     Accrued compensation ..............................................................................  
     Accrued professional fees .........................................................................  
     Deferred revenue ......................................................................................  
             Total current liabilities ......................................................................  

December 31,  

2013 

2012 

$72,660 

$71,074 

4,582 
-
  1,601
383
695
79,921

5,582 
2,754 
762 
310
$89,329

$1,516 
108
571
118
1,848 
4,161 

3,457 
  1,121
-
817
528
76,997

5,904 
2,010 
943 
-
$85,854

$328 
148
817
142
2,204 
3,639 

319 

Long-term deferred revenue ..........................................................................  

18 

Commitments and contingent liabilities (Note 9) 

Stockholders’ equity: 
     Preferred stock, $1.00 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized, 
          none outstanding  .................................................................................  
      Common stock, $.01 par value; shares authorized, 
             70,000,000 in 2013 and 2012; issued 
             and outstanding 22,574,251 in 2013 and 22,509,518 in 2012 ..........  
      Additional paid-in capital ........................................................................  
      Accumulated other comprehensive loss ...................................................  
      Accumulated deficit .................................................................................  
             Total stockholders’ equity.................................................................  
             Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity ..........................................  

-

-

226
101,293
(125)
(16,244)
85,150
$89,329

225
100,561
(50)
(18,840)
81,896
$85,854

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. 

37

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AWARE, INC. 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME 
(in thousands, except per share data)

Revenue: 
   Software licenses .............................................................................. 
   Software maintenance ....................................................................... 
   Services ............................................................................................. 
   Hardware sales  ................................................................................. 
   Royalties ........................................................................................... 
     Total revenue .................................................................................. 

Costs and expenses: 
   Cost of hardware sales ...................................................................... 
   Cost of services ................................................................................. 
   Research and development ............................................................... 
   Selling and marketing ....................................................................... 
   General and administrative ............................................................... 
      Total costs and expenses ................................................................ 

Operating income before patent related income .................................. 
Gain on sale of patent assets ................................................................ 
Income from patent arrangement ......................................................... 
Operating income after patent related income ..................................... 
Other income ....................................................................................... 
Interest income .................................................................................... 
Income from continuing operations before income taxes .................... 
Provision for income taxes .................................................................. 
Income from continuing operations  .................................................... 
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes ...................... 
Net income  ........................................................................................... 

Basic net income per share: 
  Basic net income per share from continuing operations .......................
  Basic net loss per share from discontinued operations .........................
Basic net income per share ...............................................................

Diluted net income per share: 
  Diluted net income per share from continuing operations ....................
  Diluted net loss per share from discontinued operations ......................
Diluted net income per share ............................................................

Years ended December 31, 

2013 

2012 

2011 

$8,241
3,866
3,148
3,182
920
19,357

2,365
1,503
4,085
3,344
3,522
14,819

4,538
-
780
5,318
23
328
5,669
1,917
3,752
(1,156)
$2,596

$0.17 
(0.05) 
$0.12 

$0.16 
(0.05) 
$0.11 

$9,525 
3,038 
2,571 
- 
2,170 
17,304 

- 
1,542 
3,489 
3,370 
3,860 
12,261 

5,043 
86,394 
1,121 
92,558 
85 
227 
92,870 
20,487 
72,383 
(76) 
$72,307 

$3.32 
(0.00) 
$3.32 

$3.28 
(0.00) 
$3.28 

$7,801
2,590
3,662
-
2,146
16,199

-
1,518
3,203
2,973
5,005
12,699

3,500
-
-
3,500
-
83
3,583
2
3,581
(1,014)
$2,567

$0.17 
(0.05)
$0.12

$0.17 
(0.05)
$0.12

Weighted-average shares - basic .............................................................
Weighted-average shares - diluted ..........................................................

22,543 
22,641 

21,814 
22,071 

20,534 
20,735 

Comprehensive income: 
  Net income ............................................................................................
  Other comprehensive income (net of tax): 
     Unrealized losses on available for sale securities ..............................
Comprehensive income ..........................................................................

$2,596 

$72,307 

$2,567 

(75) 
$2,521 

(30) 
$72,277 

(20)
$2,547 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. 

38

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AWARE, INC. 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS 
(in thousands)

Cash flows from operating activities: 
   Net income  .......................................................................... 
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash    
   provided by (used in) operating activities: 
      Depreciation and amortization ........................................... 
      Stock-based compensation ................................................ 
      Gain on sale of patent assets .............................................. 
      Amortization of premium (discount) on investments ........ 
      Gain on sale of investments  .............................................. 
      Deferred tax benefit on other comprehensive income  ...... 
      Loss on disposal of property and equipment  .................... 
      Provision for doubtful accounts  ........................................ 
      Increase (decrease) from changes in assets and liabilities: 
Accounts receivable ........................................................ 
Receivable from patent arrangement .............................. 
Inventories ...................................................................... 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets ...................... 
Deferred tax assets .......................................................... 
Accounts payable ............................................................ 
Accrued expenses, compensation and professional ........ 
Deferred revenue ............................................................ 
           Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities ...... 

Cash flows from investing activities: 
    Purchases of property and equipment .................................. 
    Proceeds from sale of property and equipment ................... 
    Purchases of investments ..................................................... 
    Sales of investments ............................................................ 
    Proceeds from sale of patent assets, net  .............................. 
    Purchase of other assets ....................................................... 
           Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities ...... 

Cash flows from financing activities: 
    Proceeds from issuance of common stock  .......................... 
    Payment of dividends  ......................................................... 
    Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation ........... 
    Payments made for taxes of employees who surrendered  
      shares related to unrestricted stock  ................................... 
    Repurchase of common stock  ............................................. 
           Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities ...... 

Years ended December 31, 
2013

2012 

2011

$2,596

$72,307 

$2,567

458
662
-
15
(23)
81
28
-

(1,125)
1,121
(1,601)
(167)
563
1,188
(310)
(657)
2,829

(160)
24
(2,008)
1,117
-
(338)
(1,365)

65
-
128

(71)
-
122

453 
321 
(86,394) 
(18) 
(85) 
- 
- 
4 

85 
(1,121) 
547 
(315) 
(1,760) 
(71) 
9 
744 
(15,294) 

(116) 
- 
(2,065) 
855 
86,394 
- 
85,068 

6,526 
(66,024) 
14,395 

(174) 
- 
(45,277) 

24,497 
46,577 

475
1,277
-
(9)
-
-
-
-

1,422
-
1,316
22
-
(166)
(590)
515
6,829

(331)
-
(737)
-
-
-
(1,068)

1,826
-
-

(224)
(735)
867

6,628
39,949

Increase in cash and cash equivalents ...................................... 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year ......................... 

1,586
71,074

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year  .................................. 

$72,660

$71,074 

$46,577

Supplemental disclosure: 
    Cash paid for income taxes 

$542

$7,954 

$2

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. 

39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AWARE, INC. 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 
(in thousands)

Common Stock 
Shares 

Amount 

Additional 
Paid-In 
Capital 

Accumulated 
Other
Comprehensive 
Loss 

(Accumulated 
Deficit) 

Total
Stockholders’ 
Equity 

Balance at December 31, 2010 ..........................

20,042 

$200 

$77,373 

$- 

($27,690) 

$49,883 

   Exercise of common stock options .................
   Issuance of unrestricted stock .........................
   Shares surrendered by employees to    
      pay taxes related to unrestricted stock .........
   Repurchase of common stock  ........................
   Issuance of common stock under   
       employee stock purchase plan .....................
   Stock-based compensation expense ................
   Accumulated other comprehensive loss:  
      Unrealized loss on securities ........................
   Net income ......................................................

596 
300 

(70)
(250) 

5
- 

6 
3 

(1)
(2) 

-
- 

1,804 
(3) 

(223)
(733) 

17
1,277 

1,810 
- 

(224)
(735) 

17
1,277 

(20) 
2,567 

(20) 

2,567 

Balance at December 31, 2011 ..........................

20,623 

206 

79,512 

(20) 

(25,123) 

54,575 

   Exercise of common stock options .................
   Issuance of unrestricted stock .........................
   Shares surrendered by employees to    
      pay taxes related to unrestricted stock .........
   Issuance of common stock under   
       employee stock purchase plan .....................
   Stock-based compensation expense ................
   Tax benefits from stock-based awards ............
   Dividend payment ...........................................
   Accumulated other comprehensive loss: 
      Unrealized loss on securities ........................
   Net income ......................................................

1,764 
151 

(33)

5
- 

18 
1 

-

-
- 

6,481 
(1) 

(174)

27
321 
14,395 

6,499 
- 

(174)

27
321 
14,395 
(66,024) 

(30) 
72,307 

(30) 

(66,024) 

72,307 

Balance at December 31, 2012 ..........................

22,510 

225 

100,561 

(50) 

(18,840) 

81,896 

   Exercise of common stock options .................
   Issuance of unrestricted stock .........................
   Shares surrendered by employees to    
      pay taxes related to unrestricted stock .........
   Issuance of common stock under   
       employee stock purchase plan .....................
   Stock-based compensation expense ................
   Tax benefits from stock-based awards ............
   Deferred tax asset write-off ............................
   Accumulated other comprehensive loss: 
       Unrealized loss on securities .......................
       Deferred tax benefit on unrealized losses ...
   Net income ......................................................

6 
65 

(14)

7
- 

- 
1 

-

-
- 

26 
(1) 

(71)

40
662 
128 
(52) 

(156) 
81 

2,596 

26 
- 

(71)

40
662 
128 
(52) 

(156) 
81 
2,596 

Balance at December 31, 2013 ..........................

22,574 

$226 

$101,293 

($125) 

($16,244) 

$85,150 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements. 

40

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AWARE, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  NATURE OF BUSINESS

We are a leading provider of software and services to the biometrics industry.  Our software products are used 
in  government  and  commercial  biometrics  systems,  which  are  capable  of  determining  or  verifying  an 
individual’s  identity.  We  also  offer  engineering  services  related  to  software  customization,  integration,  and 
installation, as well as complete systems development. We sell our biometrics software products and services 
globally through systems integrators, OEMs, and directly to end user customers 

2.      SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES  

Basis  of  Presentation  -  The  consolidated  financial  statements  include  the  accounts  of  Aware,  Inc.  and  its 
subsidiary.  All significant intercompany transactions have been eliminated.   

Use  of  Estimates  – The  preparation  of  our  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  accounting  principles 
generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect 
the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of 
the financial statements and the reported amount of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  The 
most  significant  estimates  included  in  the  financial  statements  pertain  to  revenue  recognition,  reserves  for 
doubtful accounts, useful lives of fixed assets, valuation allowance for deferred income tax assets, and accrued 
liabilities.  Actual results could differ from those estimates. 

Fair Value Measurements - The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Codification defines fair 
value, and establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure 
fair  value.  The  hierarchy  gives  the  highest  priority  to  the  unadjusted  quoted  prices  in  active  markets  for 
identical  assets  or  liabilities  (level  1  measurements)  and  the  lowest  priority  to  unobservable  inputs  (level  3 
measurements).  The  three  levels  of  the  fair  value  hierarchy  under  the  FASB  Codification  are:  i)  Level  1  – 
valuations that are based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that 
the reporting entity has the ability to access at the measurement date; ii) Level 2 – valuations that are based on 
quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or 
indirectly;  and  iii)  Level  3  –  valuations  that  require  inputs  that  are  both  significant  to  the  fair  value 
measurement and unobservable. 

Cash and cash equivalents, which primarily include money market mutual funds, were $72.7 million and $71.1 
million as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. We classified our cash equivalents of 
$68.6 million and $67.1 million as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively, within Level 1 of the fair 
value hierarchy because they are valued using quoted market prices. 

Our investments, which consist of high yield corporate debt securities, are also classified within Level 1 of the 
fair  value  hierarchy  because  they  are  valued  using  quoted  market  prices.  We  categorize  our  investments  as 
available-for-sale securities, and carry them at fair value in our financial statements.  We had $2.8 million and 
$2.0 million of available-for-sale investments as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively. 

As of December 31, 2013, our assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and whose carrying 
values approximate their respective fair values include the following (in thousands): 

Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2013 Using: 

Quoted Prices in 
Active Markets for 
Identical Assets 
(Level 1) 

Significant Other 
Observable Inputs 
(Level 2) 

Significant 
Unobservable 
Inputs 
(Level 3) 

Corporate debt securities .............
Money market funds (included 
in cash and cash equivalents) ......
    Total ........................................

$2,754 

68,556 
$71,310 

41

$- 

$- 

$- 

$- 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AWARE, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As of December 31, 2012, our assets that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis and whose carrying 
values approximate their respective fair values include the following (in thousands): 

Fair Value Measurement at December 31, 2012 Using: 

Quoted Prices in 
Active Markets for 
Identical Assets 
(Level 1) 

Significant Other 
Observable Inputs 
(Level 2) 

Significant 
Unobservable 
Inputs 
(Level 3) 

Corporate debt securities .............
Money market funds (included 
in cash and cash equivalents) ......
    Total ........................................

$2,010 

67,050 
$69,060 

$- 

$- 

$- 

$- 

Cash and Cash Equivalents – Cash and cash equivalents, which consist primarily of money market funds and 
demand deposits, are stated at fair value. All highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of 
three months or less are considered cash equivalents. Our cash balances exceed the Federal Deposit Insurance 
Corporation limits. The Company does not believe it is exposed to significant credit risk related to cash and 
cash equivalents. 

Investments - At December 31, 2013 and 2012, we categorized all investment securities as available-for-sale, 
since  we  may  liquidate  these  investments  currently.    In  calculating  realized  gains  and  losses,  cost  is 
determined  using  specific  identification.  Unrealized  gains  and  losses  on  available-for-sale  securities  are 
excluded  from  earnings  and  reported  in  a  separate  component  of  stockholders’  equity  called  Accumulated 
Comprehensive Income. 

Realized gains on investments were $23,000 and $85,000 in the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, 
respectively.  There were no realized gains or losses on investments in the year ended December 31, 2011.  

Unrealized  losses  on  investments  were  $156,000,  $30,000,  and  $20,000  in  the  years  ended  December  31, 
2013, 2012, and 2011. 

The amortized cost of our corporate debt securities was $3.0 million at December 31, 2013. Corporate debt 
securities comprising investments mature in 2015 to 2018.  

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts – Accounts are charged to the allowance for doubtful accounts as they are 
deemed uncollectible based on a periodic review of the accounts.   

Inventories – Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is determined by the first-
in, first-out (“FIFO”) method.  We evaluate all inventories for net realizable value on a quarterly basis, and 
record  provisions  for  excess  and  obsolete  inventory  when  required.    There  was  no  reserve  for  excess  and 
obsolete inventory as of December 31, 2013. 

Property  and  Equipment  –  Property  and  equipment  is  stated  at  cost.    Depreciation  and  amortization  of 
property and equipment is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. 
Upon  retirement  or  sale,  the  costs  of  the  assets  disposed  of  and  the  related  accumulated  depreciation  are 
removed  from  the  accounts  and  any  resulting  gain  or  loss  on  disposal  is  included  in  the  determination  of 
income or loss.  Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. 

The estimated useful lives of assets used by us are: 

Building ...............................................................................   30 years 
Building improvements ........................................................   5 to 20 years 
Furniture and fixtures ...........................................................   5 years 
Computer, office & manufacturing equipment ....................   3 years 
Purchased software ..............................................................   3 years 

42

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AWARE, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets – We review long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes 
in business circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be fully recoverable or that 
the useful lives of these assets are no longer appropriate.  Each impairment test is based on a comparison of 
the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets over their estimated economic life to the 
related carrying value of those assets to determine if the assets are impaired. If an impairment is indicated, the 
asset  is  written  down  to  its  estimated  fair  value.    The  cash  flow  estimates  used  to  identify  the  potential 
impairment reflect our best estimates using appropriate assumptions and projections at that time.  We believe 
that no significant impairment of our long-lived assets has occurred as of December 31, 2013 and 2012. 

Revenue Recognition – We recognize revenue when there is persuasive evidence of an arrangement, the sales 
price  is  fixed  or  determinable,  collection  of  the  related  receivable  is  reasonably  assured,  and  delivery  has 
occurred or services have been rendered.  

Persuasive evidence of an arrangement: We use contracts signed by both the customer and us or written 

purchase orders issued by the customer as evidence of an arrangement. 

Product delivery: We deem delivery to have occurred: (i) upon shipment when products are shipped FOB 
shipping point, or (ii) upon delivery at a customer’s location when products are shipped FOB destination, or 
(iii)  when  software  is  delivered  electronically.    If  customer  acceptance  provisions  apply,  revenue  is  not 
recognized until delivery has occurred and we have received such  acceptance. If we are required to provide 
installation services, revenue is not recognized until installation is complete. 

Fixed or determinable fee: We consider fees to be fixed or determinable if the fee is not subject to refund 
or  adjustment  and  the  payment  terms  are  within  normal  established  practices.  If  the  fee  is  not  fixed  or 
determinable, we recognize the revenue as amounts become due and payable. 

Collection is deemed probable: We conduct a credit review for significant transactions at the time of the 
arrangement to determine the credit-worthiness of the customer. Collection is deemed probable if we expect 
that the customer will pay amounts under the arrangement as payments become due. 

We  categorize  revenue  as software  licenses,  software  maintenance, services,  hardware sales,  or royalties. In 
addition  to  the  general  revenue  recognition  policies  described  above,  specific  revenue  recognition  policies 
apply to each category of revenue.   

Software licenses
Software  licenses  consist  of  revenue  from  the  sale  of  software  licenses  for  biometrics  and  imaging 
applications.    We  recognize  revenue  from  software  licenses  upon  delivery  when  licenses  are  sold  in  single 
element arrangements. 

Software maintenance
Software maintenance consists of revenue from the sale of software maintenance contracts for biometrics and 
imaging software.  Software maintenance contracts entitle customers to receive software support and software 
updates,  if  and  when  they  become  available,  during  the  term  of  the  maintenance  contract.  We  recognize 
software maintenance revenue ratably over the related contract period. 

Services
Service revenue consists of fees from biometrics customers for engineering services we provide to them. We 
recognize services revenue as services are delivered when services are sold in single element arrangements. 

Hardware sales 
Hardware sales consist of sales of biometrics equipment to a single U.S. government customer.  We recognize 
hardware sales upon delivery and acceptance of the equipment by the customer. 

Royalties
Royalty  revenue  consists  of  royalties  we  receive  under  DSL  silicon  IP  contracts  with  customers  that  have 
incorporated  our  intellectual  property  into  their  products.  Since  we  cannot  reasonably  estimate  royalty 
revenue, such revenue is recognized in the quarter in which a final report is received from a customer. Royalty 

43

AWARE, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

reports  are  typically  received  in  the  quarter  immediately  following  the  quarter  in  which  sales  of  royalty-
bearing products occur.  

Multiple element arrangements 
In addition to selling software licenses, software maintenance and services in single element arrangements, we 
also  sell  these  three  products  and  hardware  as  part  of  multiple  element  arrangements.    The  various 
combinations of multiple element arrangements and our revenue recognition for each are described as follows: 

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

(cid:120)

Software  licenses  and  software  maintenance.  When  software  licenses  and  software  maintenance 
contracts are sold together, we recognize software license revenue upon delivery, provided we have 
vendor specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) for the fair value of the maintenance contract fee, and 
we recognize the fair value of maintenance contract revenue ratably over the related contract period.  

Software  licenses  and  services.  When  software  licenses  and  engineering  services  are  sold  together, 
the  total  fee  is  generally  recognized  by  applying  contract  accounting.  We  have  adopted  the 
percentage-of-completion method of contract accounting, and we generally use an input method (i.e., 
labor hours) to determine our completion percentage. The software license portion of the arrangement 
is classified as software license revenue and the engineering services portion is classified as services 
revenue. 

Software  licenses,  software  maintenance  and  services.  When  we  sell  software  licenses,  software 
maintenance  and  services  together,  revenue  is  recognized  as  follows:  i)  software  maintenance 
revenue is separated from the other two elements and is recognized ratably over the related software 
maintenance contract period; provided we have VSOE for the fair value of the maintenance element; 
and  ii)  the  total  fee  from  the  software  license  and  engineering  service  elements  is  recognized  by 
applying the contract accounting method described in the previous paragraph.  

(cid:120) Hardware sales, software maintenance, and services. We have a multiple element arrangement with 
one customer that involves the delivery of hardware, maintenance, and services.  We determined that 
these elements qualified as separate units of accounting because they have value to the customer on a 
standalone  basis.    We  recognize  revenue  from  this  arrangement  as  follows:  i)  hardware  revenue  is 
recognized upon delivery and acceptance of the equipment by the customer; ii) maintenance revenue 
is  recognized  ratably  over  the  related  contract  period;  and  iii)  service  revenue  is  recognized  as 
services are delivered. 

Income Taxes – We compute deferred income taxes based on the differences between the financial statement 
and  tax  basis  of  assets  and  liabilities  using  enacted  rates  in  effect  in  the  years  in  which  the  differences  are 
expected  to  reverse.    We  establish  a  valuation  allowance  to  offset  temporary  deductible  differences,  net 
operating loss carryforwards and tax credits when it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not 
be realized. 

We  recognize  the  tax  benefit  from  an  uncertain  tax  position  only  if  it  is  more-likely-than-not  that  the  tax 
position will be sustained upon examination by the taxing authorities, based on the technical merits of the tax 
position. The evaluation of an uncertain tax position is based on factors that include, but are not limited to, 
changes  in  the  tax  law,  the  measurement  of  tax  positions  taken  or  expected  to  be  taken  in  tax  returns,  the 
effective settlement of matters subject to audit, and changes in facts or circumstances related to a tax position.  
Any  changes  to  these  estimates,  based  on  the  actual  results  obtained  and/or  a  change  in  assumptions,  could 
impact our tax provision in future periods.  Interest and penalty charges, if any, related to unrecognized tax 
benefits would be classified as a provision for income tax in the statement of income. 

Capitalization  of  Software  Costs  –  We  capitalize  certain  internally  developed  software  development  costs 
after technological feasibility of the product has been established.  No software costs were capitalized for the 
years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, because such costs incurred subsequent to the establishment 
of technological feasibility, but prior to commercial availability, were immaterial. 

Research  and  Development  Costs  –  Costs  incurred  in  the  research  and  development  of  our  products  are 
expensed as incurred. 

44

AWARE, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Concentration of Credit Risk – At December 31, 2013 and 2012, we had cash and cash equivalents, in excess 
of federally insured deposit limits of approximately $72.4 million and $70.8 million, respectively. 

Concentration  of  credit  risk  with  respect  to  net  accounts  receivable  consisted  of  $2.7  million,  $0.2  million, 
$0.2 million, $0.2 million and $0.2 million with five customers, respectively, at December 31, 2013, and $1.1 
million,  $0.6  million,  $0.5  million,  $0.4  million  and  $0.3  million  with  five  customers,  respectively,  at 
December 31, 2012. 

Concentration of credit risk with respect to our investment portfolio consisted of $0.8 million, $0.5 million, 
$0.5  million,  $0.5  million,  and  $0.4  million  with  five  issuers  of  corporate  debt  securities,  respectively,  at 
December  31,  2013,  and  $1.0  million  and  $1.0  million  with  two  issuers  of  corporate  debt  securities, 
respectively, at December 31, 2012. 

Stock-Based Compensation – We grant stock options and stock to our employees and directors.  We measure 
stock-based compensation cost at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and recognize stock-based 
compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award.  

We  use  the  Black-Scholes  option  valuation  model  to  estimate  the  fair  value  of  stock  option  awards.  This 
valuation  model  takes  into  account  the  exercise  price  of  the  award,  as  well  as  a  variety  of  significant 
assumptions.  The assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options include the expected term, the 
expected volatility of our stock over the expected term, the risk-free interest rate over the expected term, and 
our expected annual dividend yield.   

For stock awards, we determine the fair value of the award by using the fair market value of our stock on the 
date of grant; provided the number of shares in the grant is fixed on the grant date. 

Computation of Earnings per Share – Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing income available to 
common shareholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding.  Diluted earnings per 
share is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of 
common  shares  outstanding  plus  additional  common  shares  that  would  have  been  outstanding  if  dilutive 
potential common shares had been issued.  For the purposes of this calculation, stock options are considered 
common stock equivalents in periods in which they have a dilutive effect.  Stock options that are antidilutive 
are excluded from the calculation. 

Fair  Value  of  Financial  Instruments  –  The  carrying  amounts  of  cash  and  cash  equivalents,  accounts 
receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses approximate fair value because of their short-term nature. 
The carrying amount of investments is based on the fair value of the individual securities in our investment 
portfolio.

Advertising  Costs  –  Advertising  costs  are  expensed  as  incurred  and  were  not  material  for  2013,  2012,  and 
2011. 

Recent Accounting Pronouncements – There were no recently issued accounting pronouncements applicable 
to us that we had not adopted as of December 31, 2013.  

Reclassifications - Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to be consistent with the current period 
presentation, particularly as a result of the discontinued operations presentation of our DSL service assurance 
business. See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. 

Segments  –  Following  the  shutdown  of  our  DSL  Service  Assurance  Segment  as  described  in  Note  4,  we 
organize  ourselves  into  a  single  segment  reporting  to  the  chief  operating  decision  makers.  We  have  sales 
outside  of  the  United  States,  which  are  described  in  Note  10.    All  long-lived  assets  are  maintained  in  the 
United States. 

45

AWARE, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

3. PATENT RELATED INCOME 

In the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2012, we derived patent related income from two sources, which are 
described below:  

Gain  on  sale  of  patent  assets.  In  2011,  we  engaged  an  intellectual  property  law  firm  to  help  us  conduct  a 
process  to  sell  a  portion  of  our  patent  portfolio  pertaining  to  wireless  and  certain  DSL  patents.  The  process 
produced two significant patent sales for a total of $86.4 million of net gains in the year ended December 31, 
2012. This income was included on a separate line of the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive 
income entitled “Gain on sale of patent assets.”  The two patent sales are described below: 

Wireless patent sale.  On April 26, 2012, we entered into an agreement with an unaffiliated third party to sell a 
portion of our patent portfolio pertaining to wireless technology for $75.0 million. The proceeds from the sale 
were  reduced  by  $3.8  million  of  transaction  costs,  which  consisted  primarily  of  fees  from  the  law  firm  that 
assisted us in the sale.  The transaction closed in June 2012 and resulted in a gain of $71.2 million.  

DSL patent sale.  On August 22, 2012, we entered into an agreement with an unaffiliated third party to sell a 
portion of our patent portfolio pertaining to digital subscriber line (“DSL”) technology for $16.0 million. The 
proceeds from the sale were reduced by $0.8 million of transaction costs, which also consisted primarily of fees 
from the law firm that assisted us in the sale.  The transaction closed in September 2012 and resulted in a gain 
of $15.2 million. 

Income  from  patent  arrangement.
In  December  2010,  we  entered  into  an  arrangement  with  an  unaffiliated 
third party under which we assigned patents in return for royalties on proceeds from patent monetization efforts 
by  the  third  party.    In  the  years  ended  December  31,  2013  and  2012,  we  recorded  income  related  to  this 
arrangement of $0.8 million and $1.1 million, respectively. Such income was included on a separate line of the 
consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income entitled “Income from patent arrangement.”

4.   DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS 

Our  board  of  directors  approved  the  shutdown  of  our  DSL  service  assurance  hardware  and  software  product 
lines  in  2012  and  2013,  respectively.  Both  product  lines  were  previously  components  of  our  DSL  Service 
Assurance  Segment.  Results  from  the  DSL  Service  Assurance  Segment  have  been  reported  as  discontinued 
operations  because  we  no  longer  have  any  significant  continuing  involvement  with,  or  cash  flows  from,  this 
segment. 

Loss from the discontinued DSL Service Assurance Segment was (in thousands): 

Years ended December 31, 
2012 

2013 

2011 

  Revenue .......................................................................
  Expenses .....................................................................
     Loss before income taxes .........................................
  Income tax benefit  ......................................................
     Loss from discontinued operations ..........................

$3,216 
5,120 
(1,904) 
(748) 
($1,156) 

$5,431 
5,558 
(127) 
(51) 
($76) 

$8,387 
9,401 
(1,014) 
- 
($1,014) 

The consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 
2011 have been reclassified to reflect the effect of discontinued operations as set forth above. 

We  incurred  one-time  costs  related  to  the  shutdown  of  the  DSL  service  assurance  hardware  and  software 
product lines.  Shutdown costs for each product line were: 

DSL service assurance hardware product line.  In 2012, we incurred one-time shutdown costs related to the 
hardware  product  line  of  approximately  $282,000,  the  majority  of  which  were  severance  and  employee-
related costs.  All such costs were incurred, paid, and included in loss from discontinued operations for the 
year ended December 31, 2012.  

46

 
 
AWARE, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

DSL service assurance software product line.  In 2013, we incurred one-time shutdown costs related to the 
software product line of approximately $2.9 million. Such costs comprise: i) $3.7 million of payments to 
customers  to  terminate  contracts,  which  were  offset  by  $1.2  million  of  deferred  revenue  obligations  that 
were  relieved  as  a  result  of  such  contract  terminations;  ii)  $311,000  of  severance  and  employee-related 
costs;  and  iii)  $48,000  of  asset  write-offs.    All  such  costs  were  incurred  and  included  in  loss  from 
discontinued  operations  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2013.  All  DSL  service  assurance  software 
product  line  exit  costs  were  paid  in  2013,  with  the  exception  of  $90,000  of  severance  costs,  which  were 
paid in early January 2014. 

The following table is a rollforward of our exit costs liability accounts.  Unpaid severance and employee-related 
costs at December 31, 2013 were included in “Accrued compensation” in the consolidated balance sheets. (in 
thousands): 

Customer  
Contract 
Termination Costs 

Severance  
and Employee-
Related Costs 

Other 
Costs 

Total 

Year ended December 31, 2013 
Balance at January 1, 2013 .....................
Amount charged to expense ...................
Deferred revenue offset ..........................
Payments/write-offs ...............................
Balance at December 31, 2013 ...............

Year ended December 31, 2012 
Balance at January 1, 2012 .....................
Amount charged to expense ...................
Payments ................................................
Balance at December 31, 2012 ...............

$- 
2,553 
1,179 
(3,732) 
$- 

$- 
- 
- 
$- 

$- 
311 
- 
(221) 
$90 

$- 
282 
(282) 
$- 

$- 
48 
- 
(48) 
$- 

$- 
- 
- 
$- 

$- 
2,912 
1,179 
(4,001) 
$90 

$- 
282 
(282) 
$- 

There were no assets or liabilities remaining on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2013 related to the DSL 
Service Assurance Segment, except for $90,000 of severance costs, which were paid in early January 2014. 

5.

INVENTORIES 

Inventories consisted of the following at December 31 (in thousands): 

 Raw materials ..............................................  
 Finished goods.............................................  
     Total ........................................................  

2013 

$1,584 
17 
$1,601 

2012 

$- 
- 
$- 

6.     PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT 

        Property and equipment consisted of the following at December 31 (in thousands): 

2013 

2012 

Land .....................................................................................  
Building and improvements .................................................  
Computer equipment ............................................................  
Purchased software ..............................................................  
Furniture and fixtures ...........................................................  
Office equipment .................................................................  
   Total ..................................................................................  
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization .................  
   Property and equipment, net .............................................  

$1,056
9,060
557
88
778
191
11,730
(6,148)
$5,582

$1,080
9,060
605
131
779
181
11,836
(5,932)
$5,904

47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AWARE, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Depreciation expense was $0.5 million, $0.4 million, and $0.5 million, for the years ended December 31, 
2013,  2012,  and  2011,  respectively.    In  2013,  2012  and  2011,  we  identified  $266,000,  $958,000,  and 
$78,000, of assets no longer in use, and retired the assets and related accumulated depreciation.  

7.      INCOME TAXES 

We made provisions for income taxes related to continuing operations in the years ended December 31, 2013 
and 2012 of $1.9 million and $20.5 million, respectively. We made no provision for income taxes in the year 
ended 2011, except for $2,000 of state excise taxes. The components of the provision for income taxes are as 
follows (in thousands): 

Year ended December 31, 
2012 

2011 

2013 

Current: 
    Federal  ...........................................
    State ................................................

Deferred: 
    Federal  ...........................................
    State ................................................

$1,000 
273 
1,273 

471 
173 
644 

$20,654 
1,594 
22,248 

(1,354)
(407)
(1,761)

Total provision for income taxes ........

$1,917 

$20,487 

$- 
2 
2 

- 
- 
- 

$2 

A reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory rate to the effective tax rate is as follows: 

Federal statutory rate .............................................................  
State rate, net of federal benefit .............................................  
Tax credits .............................................................................  
Permanent adjustments  .........................................................  
Change in valuation allowance ..............................................  
Non-qualified option cancellations and forfeitures  ...............  
Nondeductible compensation expense ...................................  
Prior year adjustment  ............................................................  
Expiring NOLs and tax credits  .............................................  
Other ......................................................................................  
   Effective tax rate .................................................................  

Year ended December 31, 
2012 
   35% 
5 
- 
- 
(18) 
- 
- 
- 
- 
- 
22% 

2013 
    34% 
5 
(2) 
(1) 
- 
- 
- 
(2) 
- 
- 
34% 

2011 
34% 
6 
(9) 
- 
(50) 
11 
(1) 
(2) 
10 
1 
0% 

Total income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2013 was $1.2 million, including $1.9 million that 
was  recorded  in  continuing  operations  less  a  tax  benefit  of  $0.7  million  that  was  recorded  in  discontinued 
operations.  Income  tax  expense  for  2013  was  based  on  the  U.S.  statutory  rate  of  34%,  increased  by  state 
income taxes.  Tax expense in 2013 also reflects two items related to 2012, including: 

•

•

a  tax  benefit  of  $95,000  related  to  the 2012  research  tax  credit.  This  credit  was  extended  retroactively 
back to January 1, 2012, by the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, which was enacted on January 2, 
2013; and 

a tax benefit of $148,000 related to a reduction in the estimate of the 2012 tax expense recorded in our 
2012 financial statements. 

Total income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $20.4 million, including $20.5 million 
that  was  recorded  in  continuing  operations  less  a  tax  benefit  of  $51,000  that  was  recorded  in  discontinued 
operations. The Company’s actual tax liability for 2012 was $7.8 million as taxes that were currently payable 
were reduced by a $14.4 million equity adjustment. This equity adjustment is described more fully below.  

48

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AWARE, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In 2012, we used a significant portion of our available deferred tax assets to reduce income taxes on pre-tax 
income. A substantial portion of the deferred tax assets we utilized comprised cumulative deductions for stock 
options in excess of book expense. Under income tax accounting rules, the portion of tax benefits attributable 
to such deductions must be recorded as an adjustment to equity versus a reduction of income tax expense. In 
the year ended December 31, 2012, the tax benefits from such stock-based awards were $14.4 million, which 
we recorded as an equity adjustment to additional paid-in capital. 

Income  tax  expense  in  2012  was  also  reduced  by  a  $1.8  million  reversal  of  the  valuation  allowance  on  our 
remaining deferred tax assets at December 31, 2012. We reversed the valuation allowance because based on all 
the available evidence, we believed that it is more likely than not that our deferred tax assets will be realizable.  
In reaching this determination, we evaluated: i) our most recent years operating results; ii) our future financial 
plans; and iii) the nature of the components comprising deferred tax assets at December 31, 2012. 

As  of  December  31,  2013  and  2012,  we  had  deferred  tax  assets  for  which  we  had  recorded  no  valuation 
allowance.  The principal components of deferred tax assets were as follows at December 31 (in thousands): 

Capitalized research and development costs ..................................  
Research and development and other tax credit carryforwards ......  
Other  ..............................................................................................  
   Total.............................................................................................  
Less valuation allowance ................................................................  
   Deferred tax assets, net ................................................................  

2013 

$364 
- 
781 
1,145 
(-) 
$ 1,145  

2012 

$817 
27 
916 
1,760 
(-) 
$   1,760 

We  will  continue  to  assess  the  level  of  valuation  allowance  required  in  future  periods.  Should  evidence 
regarding  the  realizability  of  tax  assets  change  at  a  future  point  in  time,  the  valuation  allowance  will  be 
adjusted accordingly.  

As  a  result  of  significant  taxable  income  in  2012  and  the  utilization  of  research  and  development  credits 
thereon,  we  conducted  a  review  to  determine  whether  any  of  our  prior  year  research  and  development  tax 
credits represented an uncertain tax position.  Based on that review, we determined that $1.9 million of federal 
credits and $1.0 million of state credits could not be supported and therefore, those credits were written off.  In 
addition  to  the  write-off,  we  also  determined  that  $1.9  million  of  federal  credits  and  $1.0  million  of  state 
credits represented an uncertain tax position for which we established a valuation allowance.  A rollforward of 
the uncertain tax position related to our research and development tax credits is as follows (in thousands): 

Uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2011 .....  
Increase due to positions taken in prior periods  ..  
Uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2012 ..... 
Increase due to positions taken in prior periods  ..  
Uncertain tax positions at December 31, 2013 ..... 

$- 
2,945 
$2,945 
- 
$2,945 

Uncertain  tax  positions  of  $2.6  million  will  impact  our  tax  rate  if  realized.    The  difference  between  this 
amount and the total uncertain tax positions in the table above is the federal tax effect on state tax credits.  

In addition to deferred tax assets carried on our balance sheet, we also had net federal and state research and 
development  credit  carryforwards  available  at  December  31,  2013  of  $4.9  million  and  $0.7  million.    These 
credits were not recorded as tax assets as they relate to excess stock compensation deductions that may not be 
recorded as tax assets under generally accepted accounting principles until the amounts have been utilized to 
reduce  our  tax  liability.  To  the  extent  that  these  assets  are  used  to  reduce  future  taxes,  the  benefit  will  be 
recorded as a reduction to additional paid-in capital. In 2013, we recorded a tax benefit of $128,000 to equity 
related to the use of these tax credits to reduce our tax liability.

Our policy is to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.  As 
of December 31, 2013, we had no accrued interest or penalties related to uncertain tax positions. 

49

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AWARE, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The tax years from 1998 through 2013 are subject to examination by the IRS and state tax authorities. 

8.     EQUITY AND STOCK COMPENSATION PLANS

Fixed  Stock  Option  Plans  –  We  have  two  fixed  option  plans.    Under  our  1996  Stock  Option  Plan  (“1996 
Plan”), we were authorized to grant incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options to our employees 
and directors for up to 6,100,000 shares of common stock. There were no shares available for grant under the 
1996  Plan  as  of  December  31,  2013.    Under  our  2001  Nonqualified  Stock  Plan  (“2001  Plan”),  we  are 
authorized  to  grant  nonqualified  stock  options,  stock  appreciation  rights  and  stock  awards  to  our  employees 
and directors for up to 8,000,000 shares of common stock.  As of December 31, 2013, there were 4,632,086 
shares available for grant under the 2001 Plan. 

Under  both  plans,  options  are  granted  at  exercise  prices  as  determined  by  the  Board  of  Directors  and  have 
terms  ranging  from  four  to  a  maximum  of  ten  years.  Our  options  generally  vest  over  three  to  five  years, 
although we have granted options in the past that were 50% or fully vested on the date of grant. 

The  following  table  presents  stock-based  employee  compensation  expenses  included  in  our  consolidated 
statements of income and comprehensive income (in thousands):   

Cost of services 
Research and development 
Selling and marketing 
General and administrative 
Loss from discontinued operations 
   Stock-based compensation expense 

Years ended December 31, 

2013 
$34 
81 
14 
533 
- 
$662 

2012 
$16 
51 
126 
83 
45 
$321 

2011 
$29 
110 
108 
859 
171 
$1,277 

Stock-based compensation expenses in the preceding table include expenses associated with grants of: i) stock 
options; ii) stock appreciation rights (SARs); and iii) unrestricted shares of our common stock.  The method 
used  to  determine  stock-based  compensation  expense  for  each  type  of  equity  grant  is  described  in  the 
following paragraphs. 

Stock  Option  and  SAR  Grants.  For  the  years  ended  December  31,  2013,  2012,  and  2011,  we  granted  stock 
options for 0, 50,000, and 0 shares, respectively. No SARS were granted during the three year period ended 
December 31, 2013. We estimate the fair value of stock options and SARs using the Black-Scholes valuation 
model.  

The Black-Scholes valuation model takes into account the exercise price of the award, as well as a variety of 
significant assumptions. The assumptions used to estimate the fair value of stock options and SARs include the 
expected term, the expected volatility of our stock over the expected term, the risk-free interest rate over the 
expected  term,  and  our  expected  annual  dividend  yield.  We  believe  that  the  valuation  technique  and  the 
approach utilized to develop the underlying assumptions are appropriate in calculating the fair values of stock 
options granted in the year ended December 31, 2012. Estimates of fair value are not intended to predict actual 
future events or the value ultimately realized by persons who receive equity awards. 

Specific assumptions used to determine the fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 
2013, 2012 and 2011, using the Black-Scholes valuation model were: 

Expected term (1) 
Expected volatility factor (2) 
Risk-free interest rate (3) 
Expected annual dividend yield 

Year Ended 
December 31, 
2013 

n/a 
n/a 
            n/a 
n/a 

50

Year Ended 
December 31, 
2012 
5 years 
58-63% 
           0.92% 
n/a 

Year Ended 
December 31, 
2011 

n/a 
n/a 
            n/a 
n/a 

AWARE, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1) The expected term for each grant for the year ended December 31, 2012 was determined based on the 
contractual term of the option.  

(2) The expected volatility for each grant is estimated based on an average of historical volatility over a 
period of time which we believe to be representative of our future volatility. 

(3) The risk-free interest rate for each grant is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time 
of grant for a period equal to the expected term of the stock option. 

We do not estimate our forfeiture rates as the actual forfeiture rate is known at the end of each reporting period 
due to the timing of our stock option vesting.   

Unrestricted  Stock  Grants.    Our  2001  Plan  permits  us  to  grant  shares  of  unrestricted  stock  to  our  directors, 
officers and employees.  Stock-based compensation expense for stock grants is determined based on the fair 
market value of our stock on the date of grant; provided the number of shares in the grant is fixed on the grant 
date.   

We granted 130,000, 0, and 105,000 shares of unrestricted stock during the years ended December 31, 2013, 
2012, and 2011, respectively. The accounting treatment of those awards is described below: 

Year ended December 31, 2013. In April 2013, we granted 130,000 shares of unrestricted stock to directors, 
officers and employees. The shares were issued in two equal installments shortly after June 30, 2013 and 
December 31, 2013. We expensed $623,000 of stock-based compensation expense related to this grant in 
the year ended December 31, 2013. There was no unamortized stock-based compensation charge associated 
with this stock grant as of December 31, 2013.  

We  issued  shares  of  common  stock  related  to  the  April  2013  grant  as  follows:  i)  51,374  net  shares  of 
common stock were issued in early July 2013 after employees surrendered 13,626 shares for which we paid 
$71,000  of  withholding  taxes  on  their  behalf;  and  ii)  49,936  net  shares  of  common  stock  were  issued  in 
early January 2014 after employees surrendered 15,064 shares for which we paid $92,000 of withholding 
taxes on their behalf. 

Year ended December 31, 2012. No shares of unrestricted stock were granted in 2012, however we granted 
shares of unrestricted common stock in 2010 that affected results for the year ended December 31, 2012. 
Activity in 2012 related to the 2010 stock grant was: i) 2012 stock-based compensation expense included 
$189,000 related to the 2010 grant; and ii) we issued 118,113 net shares of common stock after employees 
surrendered 33,441 shares for which we paid $174,000 of withholding taxes on their behalf.  

Year  ended  December  31,  2011.  Our  former  President  and  CEO  resigned  in  April  2011.    As  part  of  his 
separation arrangement he was granted 105,000 shares of common stock, which resulted in a stock-based 
compensation charge of $362,000 in the year ended December 31, 2011. We issued 71,662 net shares of 
common stock after he surrendered 33,338 shares for which we paid $115,000 of withholding taxes on his 
behalf.  

The aforementioned 2010 stock grant also affected results for the year ended December 31, 2011. Activity 
in 2011 related to the 2010 stock grant was: i) 2011 stock-based compensation expense included $443,000 
related  to  the  2010  grant;  and  ii)  we  issued  a  net  of  157,988  shares  of  common  stock  after  employees 
surrendered 36,998 shares for which we paid $109,000 of withholding taxes on their behalf. 

51

AWARE, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A summary of stock option transactions for our two fixed stock option plans for the years ended December 31, 
2013, 2012, and 2011 are presented below: 

2013 

2012 

2011 

Shares 
1,063,025 
Outstanding at beginning of year ...  
- 
Granted ..........................................  
(6,163) 
Exercised ........................................  
Forfeited or cancelled ....................  
(51,873) 
Outstanding at end of year .............    1,004,989 

Weighted
 Average 
Exercise
Price

$5.63
-
4.27
4.83
$5.68

Weighted 
 Average 
Exercise
Price

$4.42 
4.60 
3.71 
4.33 
$5.63 

Shares 
5,082,891
-
(632,685)
  (1,614,254)
2,835,952

Weighted
 Average 
Exercise
Price

$4.30
-
3.02
4.59
$4.42

Shares 
2,835,952
50,000
(1,779,616)
(43,311)
1,063,025

Exercisable at year end ..................  

986,237 

$5.70

1,027,525

$5.66 

2,772,109

$4.44

The  number  of  option  shares  vested  and  expected  to  vest  at  December  31,  2013  was  1,004,989  and  those 
options had a weighted average exercise price of $5.68. 

No stock options were granted in the years ended December 31, 2013 and 2011. All options granted during the 
year ended December 31, 2012 had exercise prices equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the 
date of grant, and the weighted average grant date fair values of options granted were $2.38.  

At December 31, 2013, the weighted average remaining contractual term for total options outstanding and total 
options exercisable was approximately 1 year for each.  

At  December  31,  2013,  the  aggregate  intrinsic  value  of  options  outstanding  and  options  exercisable  was 
approximately $0.4 million for each. The intrinsic value of a stock option is the amount by which the market 
value of the underlying stock exceeds the exercise price of the option.  The aggregate intrinsic value of options 
exercised during the year ended December 31, 2013 was approximately $4,000.  

The following table summarizes the stock options outstanding at December 31, 2013: 

Exercise Price 
Range 

Number 

Options Outstanding 

Options Exercisable 

Weighted 
Average
Exercise
Price 

Weighted Average 
Remaining 
Contractual 
Term (in years) 

Weighted 
Average
Exercise
Price 

Number 

$0 to $2 
$2 to $3 
$3 to $4 
$4 to $5 
$5 to $6 
$6 to $7 

188   
42,813   
53,000   
58,150   
29,000   
821,838    

1,004,989  

$1.95 
2.77 
3.45 
4.64 
5.07 
6.07  
$5.68  

0.08 
2.67 
3.63 
3.93 
3.14 
0.75 
1.24 

188  
42,813 
44,666 
58,150 
29,000 
811,420     
986,237  

$1.95
2.77
3.52
4.64
5.07
6.07 
$5.70  

At  December  31,  2013,  unrecognized  compensation  expense  related  to  non-vested  stock  options  was 
approximately $46,000, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.0 years. 

We  issue  common  stock  from  previously  authorized  but  unissued  shares  to  satisfy  option  exercises  and 
purchases under our Employee Stock Purchase Plan. 

52

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
   
   
   
   
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
AWARE, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Employee  Stock  Purchase  Plan  -  In  June  1996,  we  adopted  an  Employee  Stock  Purchase  Plan  (the  “ESPP 
Plan”) under which eligible employees could purchase common stock at a price equal to 85% of the lower of 
the  fair  market  value  of  the  common  stock  at  the  beginning  or  end  of  each  six-month  offering  period.    On 
November  29,  2005  we  amended  the  ESPP  Plan  to  provide  that  eligible  employees  may  purchase  common 
stock at a price equal to 95% of the fair market value of the common stock as of the end of each six-month 
offering period.  There is no stock-based compensation expense related to our Employee Stock Purchase Plan 
because  it  is  not  considered  a  compensatory  plan.  The  plan  does  not  have  a  look-back  feature,  and  has  a 
minimal discount of 5% of the fair market value of the common stock as of the end of each six-month offering 
period.  Participation in the ESPP Plan is limited to 6% of an employee’s compensation, may be terminated at 
any time by the employee and automatically ends on termination of employment.  A total of 350,000 shares of 
common stock have been reserved for issuance.  As of December 31, 2013 there were 108,959 shares available 
for future issuance under the ESPP Plan.  We issued 7,196, 4,661, and 5,563 common shares under the ESPP 
Plan in 2013, 2012, and 2011, respectively. 

  Dividends  -  In  April  2012,  our  board  of  directors  declared  a  special  cash  dividend  of  $1.15  per  share.  The      
dividend was paid on May 25, 2012 to shareholders of record as of May 11, 2012.  The total amount of the 
dividend paid was $25.5 million. 

In  November  2012,  our  board  of  directors  declared  a  second  special  cash  dividend  of  $1.80  per  share.  The      
dividend was paid on December 17, 2012 to shareholders of record as of December 3, 2012.  The total amount 
of the dividend paid was $40.5 million. 

Share Repurchases – In July 2011, we purchased 250,000 shares of our common stock at a price of $2.90 per 
share from a shareholder in a privately negotiated transaction.  In addition, we paid a broker commission of 4 
cents per share in connection with the transaction. 

9.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENT LIABILITIES 

Lease Commitments – We own our principal office and research facility in Bedford, Massachusetts, which we 
have  occupied  since  November  1997.    We  also  conducted  a  portion  of  our  activities  in  a  leased  facility  in 
California in 2011 and 2012. We terminated that lease in September 2012 by making a one-time payment of 
$15,000.  

Rental expense, including the cost of the 2012 termination buyout of the California lease, was approximately 
$0, $25,000, and $17,000 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. 

Litigation - There are no material pending legal proceedings to which we are a party or to which any of our 
properties are subject which, either individually or in the aggregate, are expected to have a material adverse 
effect on our business, financial position or results of operations. 

Guarantees and Indemnification Obligations – We enter into agreements in the ordinary course of business 
that  require  us:  i)  to  perform  under  the  terms  of  the  contracts,  ii)  to  protect  the  confidentiality  of  our 
customers’ intellectual property, and iii) to indemnify customers, including indemnification against third party 
claims  alleging  infringement  of  intellectual  property  rights.    We  also  have  agreements  with  each  of  our 
directors  and  executive  officers  to  indemnify  such  directors  or  executive  officers,  to  the  extent  legally 
permissible, against all liabilities reasonably incurred in connection with any action in which such individual 
may be involved by reason of such individual being or having been a director or officer of the Company. 

Given the nature of the above obligations and agreements, we are unable to make a reasonable estimate of the 
maximum potential amount that we could be required to pay.  Historically, we have not made any significant 
payments on the above guarantees and indemnifications and no amount has been accrued in the accompanying 
consolidated financial statements with respect to these guarantees and indemnifications. 

53

AWARE, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

10.  BUSINESS SEGMENTS AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS 

Upon  the  shutdown  of  the  DSL  Service  Assurance  Segment  in  2013,  we  organize  ourselves  into  a  single 
segment that reports to the chief operating decision makers.  

We conduct our operations in the United States and sell our products and services to domestic and international 
customers.  Revenues were generated from the following geographic regions (in thousands):  

United States .......................................................
Rest of world ......................................................

Year ended December 31, 

2013 
$13,909 
5,448 
$19,357 

2012 
$12,158 
5,146 
$17,304 

2011 
$12,276 
3,923 
$16,199 

There were no single foreign countries from which we derived 10% or more of total revenue in the years ended 
December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011. 

The portion of total revenue that was derived from major customers was as follows: 

Customer A   ...................................................  

11.  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN 

Year ended December 31, 

2013 
21% 

2012 
5% 

2011 
10% 

In 1994, we established a qualified 401(k) Retirement Plan (the “Plan”) under which employees are allowed to 
contribute certain percentages of their pay, up to the maximum allowed under Section 401(k) of the Internal 
Revenue  Code.    Our  contributions  to  the  Plan  are  at  the  discretion  of  the  Board  of  Directors.    Our 
contributions were approximately $189,000, $233,000, and $239,000 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. 

12.  NET INCOME PER SHARE

Net income per share is calculated as follows (in thousands, except per share data):  

Net income: 
   Income from continuing operations ........................................
   Loss from discontinued operations ..........................................
        Net income  ........................................................................

Shares outstanding: 
   Weighted-average common shares outstanding ......................
   Additional dilutive common stock equivalents .......................
   Diluted shares outstanding  .....................................................

 Basic net income per share: 
    Basic net income per share from continuing operations .........
    Basic net loss per share from discontinued operations ...........
         Basic net income per share  ...............................................

 Diluted net income per share: 
    Diluted net income per share from continuing operations ......
    Diluted net loss per share from discontinued operations ........
        Diluted net income per share  .............................................

54

Year ended December 31, 

2013 

2012 

2011 

$3,752 
(1,156)
$2,596 

22,543 
98 
22,641 

$0.17 
(0.05) 
$0.12 

$0.16 
(0.05) 
$0.11 

$72,383
(76)
$72,307

$3,581
(1,014)
$2,567

21,814
257
22,071

20,534
201
20,735

$3.32 
(0.00) 
$3.32 

$3.28 
(0.00) 
$3.28 

$0.17 
(0.05) 
$0.12 

$0.17 
(0.05) 
$0.12 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
        
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AWARE, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the years ended December 31, 2013, 2012 and 2011, options to purchase 823,338, 821,838, and 2,518,914 
shares of common stock at weighted average exercise prices of $6.07, $6.07, and $4.62 per share, respectively, 
were  outstanding,  but  were  not  included in  the  computation  of  diluted  EPS  because  the  options’  exercise 
prices were greater than the average market price of the common shares and thus would be anti-dilutive. 

12.    QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS – UNAUDITED

The following table is a summary of certain items in the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive 
income  for  each  of  our  quarters  in  the  two-year  period  ended  December 31,  2013  (in  thousands,  except  per 
share data). The impact of the discontinued operations as described in Note 4 is included in all periods. Certain 
amounts differ from those previously reported on Form 10-Q due to the effect of discontinued operations. 

Revenue ................................................
Operating income before patent  
    related income  .................................
Income from patent arrangement ..........
Income from continuing operations ......
Income (loss) from discontinued  
    operations   .......................................
Net income (loss)  .................................

Net income (loss) per share – basic ......
Net income (loss) per share – diluted  ..

2013 Quarters Ended 

March 31 

June 30 

September 30  December 31 

$4,979 

$4,427 

$4,314 

$5,637 

2,202 
780 
1,972 

(115) 
1,857 

$0.08 
$0.08 

543 
- 
465 

(158) 
307 

$0.01 
$0.01 

1,039 
- 
790 

(1,943) 
(1,153) 

($0.05) 
($0.05) 

754 
- 
525 

1,060 
1,585 

$0.07 
$0.07 

Revenue ................................................
Operating income before patent  
    related income  .................................
Gain on sale of patent assets .................
Income from patent arrangement ..........
Income from continuing operations ......
Income (loss) from discontinued  
    operations   .......................................
Net income  ..........................................

Net income per share – basic ................
Net income per share – diluted  ............

2012 Quarters Ended 

March 31 

June 30 

September 30  December 31 

$4,161 

$3,514 

$4,771 

$4,858 

1,120 
- 
- 
1,167 

(49) 
1,118 

$0.05 
$0.05 

390 
71,226 
- 
54,938 

(12) 
54,926 

$2.52 
$2.49 

1,767 
15,167 
- 
10,272 

25 
10,297 

$0.46 
$0.46 

1,766 
- 
1,121 
6,006 

(40) 
5,966 

$0.27 
$0.26 

Quarterly amounts may not sum to annual amounts due to rounding and dilution. 

13.    OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

We do not currently have any arrangements with unconsolidated entities, such as entities often referred to as 
structured  finance,  special  purpose  entities,  or  variable  interest  entities  which  are  often  established  for  the 
purpose  of  facilitating  off-balance  sheet  arrangements  or  other  contractually  narrow  or  limited  purposes.  
Accordingly, we are not exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk if we had such relationships.

During 2011 and 2012 we disclosed that we had a patent arrangement with an unaffiliated third party that we 
classified as a variable interest entity.  We also disclosed that: i) we had no equity interest in this entity; ii) we 

55

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
AWARE, INC. 
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

were not contractually obligated to fund this entity, therefore our maximum exposure to loss as a result of our 
involvement with this entity was zero; iii) we may receive royalties in the future if certain conditions are met; 
iv) we were not the primary beneficiary of this entity; v) we have not consolidated this entity’s results into our 
financial statements, therefore we carried the assets and liabilities of this entity in our balance sheet at zero; 
and  vi)  prior  to  September  30,  2012,  this  arrangement  had  no  impact  on  our  results  of  operations,  financial 
position or cash flows in any previous periods. 

In August 2012, certain contractual provisions of the arrangement were amended.  As a result, the arrangement 
was  no  longer  considered  a  variable  interest  entity  under  generally  accepted  accounting  principles,  and  we 
ceased to classify it as such once the amendment was signed. 

56

FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE 

Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts – Years ended December 31, 2013, 2012, and 2011 

(in thousands) 

Col. A 

Col. B 

Col. C(1) 

Col. C(2) 

Col. D 

Col. E 

Additions 

Balance at 
Beginning 
of Period 

Charged to 
Costs and  
Expenses 

Charged  
to Other 
Accounts 

Deductions 
Charged to 
Reserves 

Balance 
at End  
of Period 

Allowance for doubtful 
accounts receivable: 
   2013 ...........................  
   2012 ...........................  
   2011 ...........................  

Inventory reserves: 
   2013 ...........................  
   2012 ...........................  
   2011 ...........................  

Warranty reserves: 
   2013 ...........................  
   2012 ...........................  
   2011 ...........................  

Deferred tax asset 
valuation allowance: 
   2013 ...........................  
   2012 ...........................  
   2011 ...........................  

$20 
$30 
$30 

$- 
$1,403 
$989 

$10 
$- 
$- 

$- 
$- 
$- 

$- 
$126 
$450 

$- 
$12 
$- 

$- 
$- 
$- 

$- 
$- 
$- 

$- 
$- 
$- 

$- 
$10 
$- 

$- 
$1,529 
$36 

$10 
$2 
$- 

$20 
$20 
$30 

$- 
$- 
$1,403 

$- 
$10 
$- 

$- 
$40,476 
$41,759 

$- 
$- 
$- 

$- 
$- 
($1,283)

$- 
$40,476 
$- 

$- 
$- 
$40,476 

57

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ITEM 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND 
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE 

None.  

ITEM 9A.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 

Conclusion Regarding the Effectiveness of Disclosure Controls and Procedures 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our co-chief executive officers and 
chief financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures, as such term is defined 
under  Rule  13a-15(e)  promulgated  under  the  Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934,  as  amended  (the  Exchange  Act).  
Based  on  this  evaluation,  our  co-chief  executive  officers  and chief  financial  officer  concluded  that  our  disclosure 
controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this annual report.

Evaluation of Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting 

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our co-chief executive officers and 
chief financial officer, we concluded that there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that 
occurred  during  the  quarterly  period  ended  December  31,  2013  that  have  materially  affected,  or  are  reasonably 
likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. 

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as 
defined  in  Rules  13(a)-15(f)  under  the  Exchange  Act.  Under  the  supervision  and  with  the  participation  of  our 
management,  including  our  principal  co-executive  officers  and  principal  financial  officer,  we  conducted  an 
evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal 
Control  -  Integrated  Framework  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the  Treadway 
Commission in 1992. Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework,
our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2013. 

The  effectiveness  of  our  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of  December 31,  2013  has  been  audited  by 
McGladrey LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their audit report which is included 
herein. 

ITEM 9B.  OTHER INFORMATION 

None. 

58

PART III 

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 

The information required by Item 10 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the information contained in 
the sections captioned “Directors and Executive Officers”, “Corporate Governance” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial 
Ownership Reporting Compliance” in the Proxy Statement that will be delivered to our shareholders in connection 
with our May 21, 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. 

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 

The information required by Item 11 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the information contained in 
the section captioned “Executive Compensation” in the Proxy Statement that will be delivered to our shareholders in 
connection with our May 21, 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. 

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND 
RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS 

The information required by Item 12 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the information contained in 
the section captioned “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder 
Matters”  in  the  Proxy  Statement  that  will  be  delivered  to  our  shareholders  in  connection  with  our  May  21,  2014 
Annual Meeting of Shareholders. 

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR 
INDEPENDENCE 

The  information,  if  any,  required  by  Item  13  of  Form  10-K  is  incorporated  by  reference  from  the  information 
contained  in  the  sections  captioned  “Corporate  Governance”  and  “Certain  Relationships  and  Related 
Transactions”  in  the  Proxy  Statement  that  will  be  delivered  to  our  shareholders  in  connection  with  our  May  21, 
2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.  

ITEM 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES 

The information required by Item 14 of Form 10-K is incorporated by reference from the information contained in 
the section captioned “Independent Accountants” in the Proxy Statement that will be delivered to our shareholders 
in connection with our May 21, 2014  Annual Meeting of Shareholders. 

59

PART IV 

ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE 

The following documents are filed as part of this report: 

(a) Financial Statements and Exhibits:

(1) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2013 and 2012 ..............................  
Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for each of the three 
    years in the period ended December 31, 2013 ..............................................................  
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the  
    three years in the period ended December 31, 2013 .....................................................   
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity for each of 
     the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013 ..............................................   
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements .....................................................................   
(2) Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts ......................................................  

    (3) Exhibits: 

The exhibits listed below are filed with or incorporated by reference in this report.  

Page 

37 

38 

39 

40 
41 
57 

Exhibit No. 
2.1† 

2.2 

3.1 

3.2 

10.1*  

10.2* 

10.3* 

10.4* 

10.5* 

10.6* 

10.7* 

Description of Exhibit
Wireless  Portfolio  Patent  Purchase  Agreement,  dated  as  of  April  26,  2012,  by  and 
between  Aware,  Inc.  and  Intel  Corporation  (filed  as  Exhibit  2.1  to  the  Company’s 
Form10-Q/A for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 and incorporated herein by reference). 
DSL Patent Purchase Agreement, dated as of August 22, 2012, by and between Aware, 
Inc. and TQ Delta, LLC (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed with the 
Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  on  August  24,  2012  and  incorporated  herein  by 
reference). 
Amended and Restated Articles of Organization, as amended (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the 
Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008 and incorporated herein 
by reference).  
Amended and Restated By-Laws (filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Form 8-K filed 
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 10, 2007 and incorporated 
herein by reference). 
1996 Stock Option Plan, as amended and restated (filed as Annex A to the Company’s 
Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 
11, 2000 and incorporated herein by reference). 
1996 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended and restated (filed as Exhibit 99.1 to 
the  Company’s  Current  Report  on  Form  8-K  filed  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange 
Commission on November 29, 2005 and incorporated herein by reference). 
Form of Indemnification Agreement for Directors and Officers of Aware, Inc. (filed as 
Exhibit  10.1  to  the  Company's  Form  8-K  filed  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange 
Commission on February 22, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference). 
2001 Nonqualified Stock Plan (filed as Exhibit 99(d)(4) to the Company’s Schedule TO 
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2003 and incorporated 
herein by reference). 
Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement under the 2001 Nonqualified Stock Plan 
for  options  granted  to  executive  officers  and  directors  prior  to  May  21,  2008  (filed  as 
Exhibit  10.6  to  Company’s  Form  10-K  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  2006  and 
incorporated herein by reference). 
Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement under the 2001 Nonqualified Stock Plan 
for options granted to executive officers and directors from and after May 21, 2008 (filed 
as  Exhibit  10.8  to  Company’s  Form  8-K  on  May  22,  2008  and  incorporated  herein  by 
reference) 
Form  of  Unrestricted  Stock  Award  for  outside  directors  of  Aware  under  the  2001 
Nonqualified  Stock  Plan  (filed  as  Exhibit  10.1  to  Company's  Form  8-K  filed  with  the 

60

10.8* 

10.9 

10.12* 

21.1 
23.1 
23.2 
31.1 

31.2 

32.1 

101** 

Securities  and  Exchange  Commission  on  July  28,  2010  and  incorporated  herein  by 
reference). 
Form  of  Unrestricted  Stock Award for  officers  of  Aware  under  the 2001  Nonqualified 
Stock Plan (filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Company's Form 8-K filed with the Securities and 
Exchange Commission on July 28, 2010 and incorporated herein by reference). 
Asset Purchase Agreement by and between Aware, Inc. and Lantiq Broadband Holdco, 
Inc.  and  Lantiq  Deutschland  GmbH  dated  October  14,  2009  (filed  as  Exhibit  10.8  to 
Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and incorporated herein 
by reference). 
Form  of  Unrestricted  Stock  Award  for  executive  officers  and  directors  of  Aware,  Inc. 
under  the  2001  Nonqualified  Plan  (filed  as  Exhibit  10.1  to  the  Company’s  Form  8-K 
filed with  the Securities  and Exchange  Commission on April  4, 2013 and  incorporated 
herein by reference).  
Subsidiaries of Registrant. 
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. 
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. 
Certification  of  co-Chief  Executive  Officer  pursuant  to  Section  302  of  the  Sarbanes-
Oxley Act of 2002. 
Certification  of  co-Chief  Executive  Officer  and  Chief  Financial  Officer  pursuant  to 
Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 
Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 
906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. 
The following financial statements from Aware, Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 
the year ended December 31, 2013, formatted in XBRL (eXtensible Business Reporting 
Language),  as  follows:  (i)  Consolidated  Balance  Sheets  as  of  December  31,  2013  and 
December 31, 2012; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income 
for the Years Ended December 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011; 
(iii)  Consolidated  Statements  of  Cash  Flows  for  the  Years  Ended  December  31,  2013, 
December  31,  2012  and  December  31,  2011;  (iv)  Consolidated  Statements  of 
Stockholders’ Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2013, December 31, 2012 and 
December 31, 2011; and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.  

†Portions  of  this  exhibit  are  omitted  and  were  filed  separately  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange  Commission 
pursuant  to  the  Company’s  application  requesting  confidential  treatment  under  Rule  24b-2  of  the  Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. 

*Management contract or compensatory plan. 

**Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the Interactive Data Files in Exhibit 101 hereto shall not be deemed 
filed for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Section 18 of the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to liability under those sections. 

61

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly 
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. 

SIGNATURES 

AWARE, INC. 

                                                                                                           General Counsel 

By:  /s/  Kevin T. Russell 

                  Kevin T. Russell 

       co-Chief Executive Officer & co-President 

By:  /s/  Richard P. Moberg 
        Richard P. Moberg  
        co-Chief Executive Officer & co-President 

                   Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial and                           

                       Accounting Officer) 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the 
following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated on the 18th day of February 2014. 

Date: February 18, 2014 

Signature 

/s/ Kevin T. Russell 
Kevin T. Russell 

/s/ Richard P. Moberg 
Richard P. Moberg 

/s/ John S. Stafford, Jr. 
John S. Stafford, Jr. 

/s/ John S. Stafford, III 
John S. Stafford, III 

/s/ Adrian F. Kruse 
Adrian F. Kruse 

/s/ Brian D. Connolly  
Brian D. Connolly 

/s/ Brent P. Johnstone  
Brent P. Johnstone 

Title 

co-Chief Executive Officer, co-President, 
General Counsel & Director 
(co-Principal Executive Officer) 

co-Chief Executive Officer, co-President, 
Chief Financial Officer & Director 
(co-Principal Executive Officer) 
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer) 

Chairman of the Board & Director 

Director 

Director  

Director 

Director 

62 

                  
 
                  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Corporate Informat ion

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 
John S. Stafford, Jr.
Chairman
Investor 

John S. Stafford, III
Investor

Adrian F. Kruse, C.P.A., J.D. 
Audit Partner (retired) 
Ernst & Young LLP

Brent P. Johnstone
Managing Director
Quarry Capital Management, LLC

Brian D. Connolly
Portfolio Manager
Millstreet Capital Management, LLC

Richard P. Moberg
co-Chief  Executive Offi cer & co-President
Chief  Financial Offi cer
Aware, Inc.

Kevin T. Russell
co-Chief  Executive Offi cer & co-President
General Counsel
Aware, Inc.

LEGAL COUNSEL 
Foley Hoag LLP 
Boston, MA 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED 
PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
McGladrey LLP 
Boston, MA 

TRANSFER AGENT 
Computershare Trust Company, N.A. 
PO Box 43078 
Providence, RI 02940-3078 
(877) 282-1168 
www.computershare.com 

ANNUAL MEETING 
Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. 
May 21, 2014
Doubletree by Hilton Boston/Bedford Glen 
Bedford, MA 

STOCK LISTING 
NASDAQ: AWRE 

OFFICERS 
Richard P. Moberg
co-Chief  Executive Offi cer & co-President
Chief  Financial Offi cer

CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS 
40 Middlesex Turnpike 
Bedford, MA 01730 
(781) 276-4000 

Kevin T. Russell
co-Chief  Executive Offi cer & co-President
General Counsel

CONTACT INFORMATION 
Investor Relations 
Aware, Inc. 
40 Middlesex Turnpike 
Bedford, MA 01730-1432 USA 
(781) 276-4000 
www.aware.com 

2013 Annual Report

Aware, Inc., 40 Middlesex Turnpike, Bedford, MA  01730-1432 USA

T (781) 276-4000    |    F (781) 276-4001    |    www.aware.com