Network-1 Technologies
Annual Report 2023

Plain-text annual report

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, 2023 ☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 For the transition period from ____________ to ___________. Commission File Number: 1-15288 NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) Delaware (State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation or Organization) 11-3027591 (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) 65 Locust Avenue, Third Floor New Canaan, Connecticut 06840 (Address of Principal Executive Offices) Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (203) 920-1055 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each class Common Stock $.01 par value Trading symbol NTIP Name of each exchange on which registered NYSE American Securities registered under Section 12(g) of the Act: Common Stock, $.01 par value (Title of Class) Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ☐ No ☒ Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes ☐ No ☒ 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 ☒ No ☐ -1- Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted 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 such files). Yes ☒ No ☐ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Large accelerated filer ☐ Non-accelerated filer ☒ Emerging growth company ☐ Accelerated filer ☐ Smaller Reporting Company ☒ If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☐ If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in this filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐ Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant’s executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D.1(b). ☐ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes ☐ No ☒ The aggregate market value of the voting and non-voting common stock held by non-affiliates computed by reference to the price at which the common stock was last sold as of June 30, 2023 was approximately $38,052,926 based on the closing price as reported on NYSE American Exchange. Shares of voting stock held by each officer and director and by each person, who as of June 30, 2023, the last business day of the Registrant’s most recently completed second quarter, may be deemed to have beneficially owned more than 10% of the voting stock have been excluded. This determination of affiliate status is not necessarily a conclusive determination of affiliate status for any other purpose. The number of shares outstanding of Registrant's common stock as of March 1, 2024 was 23,510,019. -2- NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. 2023 FORM 10-K TABLE OF CONTENTS Page No. PART I Item 1. Business Item 1A. Risk Factors Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments Item 1C. Cybersecurity Item 2. Properties Item 3. Legal Proceedings Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures PART II Item 5. Market For Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Item 6. (Reserved) Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure Item 9A. Controls and Procedures Item 9B. Other Information Item 9C. Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent Inspections PART III Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance Item 11. Executive Compensation Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence Item 14. Principal Accountant Fees and Services PART IV Item 15. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules Signatures 2 10 19 19 19 19 21 22 24 25 32 32 32 32 33 34 34 39 44 46 47 48 50 -1- PART I Forward-looking statements: THIS ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K CONTAINS STATEMENTS ABOUT FUTURE EVENTS AND EXPECTATIONS WHICH ARE “FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS”. ANY STATEMENT IN THIS 10-K THAT IS NOT A STATEMENT OF HISTORICAL FACT MAY BE DEEMED TO BE A FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 27A OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR SECTION 21E OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS PROVIDE CURRENT EXPECTATIONS OF FUTURE EVENTS BASED ON CERTAIN ASSUMPTIONS AND INCLUDE ANY STATEMENT THAT DOES NOT DIRECTLY RELATE TO ANY HISTORICAL OR CURRENT FACT. STATEMENTS CONTAINING SUCH WORDS AS “MAY,” “WILL,” “EXPECT,” “BELIEVE,” “ANTICIPATE,” “INTEND,” “COULD,” “ESTIMATE,” “CONTINUE” OR “PLAN” AND SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS OR VARIATIONS ARE INTENDED TO IDENTIFY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. THESE STATEMENTS ARE BASED ON THE BELIEFS AND ASSUMPTIONS OF OUR MANAGEMENT BASED ON INFORMATION CURRENTLY AVAILABLE TO MANAGEMENT. SUCH FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CURRENT RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES AND ASSUMPTIONS RELATED TO VARIOUS FACTORS SET FORTH IN THIS REPORT AND IN OTHER FILINGS MADE BY US WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. BASED UPON CHANGING CONDITIONS, SHOULD ANY ONE OR MORE OF THESE RISKS OR UNCERTAINTIES MATERIALIZE, INCLUDING THOSE DISCUSSED AS “RISK FACTORS” IN ITEM 1A AND ELSEWHERE IN THIS REPORT, OR SHOULD ANY OF OUR UNDERLYING ASSUMPTIONS PROVE INCORRECT, ACTUAL RESULTS MAY VARY MATERIALLY FROM THOSE DESCRIBED IN THIS REPORT. WE UNDERTAKE NO OBLIGATION TO UPDATE, AND WE DO NOT HAVE A POLICY OF UPDATING OR REVISING THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. READERS ARE CAUTIONED NOT TO PLACE UNDUE RELIANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, WHICH SPEAK ONLY AS OF THE DATE THE STATEMENT WAS MADE. UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES, THE TERMS “NETWORK-1”,“COMPANY”,“WE,” “OUR,” “US” MEAN NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. AND ITS WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARIES, MIRROR WORLDS TECHNOLOGIES, LLC AND HFT SOLUTIONS, LLC. ITEM 1. BUSINESS Overview Our principal business is the development, licensing and protection of our intellectual property assets. We presently own one hundred (100) U.S. patents, fifty-four (54) of such patents have expired, and fifteen (15) foreign patents relating to (i) our Cox patent portfolio (the “Cox Patent Portfolio”) relating to enabling technology for identifying media content on the Internet and taking further actions to be performed after such identification;(ii) our M2M/IoT patent portfolio (the “M2M/IoT Patent Portfolio”) relating to, -2- among other things, enabling technology for authenticating and using eSIM (embedded Subscriber Identification Module) technology in IoT, Machine-to- Machine, and other mobile devices, including smartphones, tablets and computers, as well as automobiles; (iii) our HFT patent portfolio (the “HFT Patent Portfolio”) covering certain advanced technologies relating to high frequency trading, which inventions specifically address technological problems associated with speed and latency and provide critical latency gains in trading systems where the difference between success and failure may be measured in nanoseconds; (iv) our Mirror Worlds patent portfolio (the “Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio”) relating to foundational technologies that enable unified search and indexing, displaying and archiving of documents in a computer system; and (v) our remote power patent (the “Remote Power Patent”) covering the delivery of Power over Ethernet (PoE) cables for the purpose of remotely powering network devices, such as wireless access ports, IP phones and network based cameras. In addition, we review opportunities to acquire or license additional intellectual property as well as other strategic alternatives. We have invested $7,000,000 in ILiAD Biotechnologies, LLC (“ILiAD”), a clinical stage biotechnology company with an exclusive license to seventy (70) patents. On December 31, 2023, we owned approximately 6.7% of the outstanding units of ILiAD on a non-fully diluted basis and 5.4% of the outstanding units on a fully diluted basis (after giving effect to the exercise of all outstanding options and warrants). Our current strategy includes continuing our efforts to monetize our intellectual property. In addition, we continue to seek to acquire additional intellectual property assets to develop, commercialize, license or otherwise monetize. Our strategy includes working with inventors and patent owners to assist in the development and monetization of their patented technologies. Our patent acquisition and development strategy is to focus on acquiring high quality patents which management believes have the potential to generate significant licensing opportunities as we have achieved with respect to our Remote Power Patent and our Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio. In addition, we may also enter into strategic relationships with third parties to develop, commercialize, license or otherwise monetize their intellectual property. We have been dependent upon our Remote Power Patent for a significant portion of our revenue. Our Remote Power Patent has generated revenue in excess of $188,000,000 from May 2007 through December 31, 2023. We no longer receive revenue for our Remote Power Patent for any period subsequent to March 7, 2020 (the expiration date of the patent). During the year ended December 31, 2023, our Remote Power Patent generated all of our revenue of $2,601,000 as a result of litigation settlements relating to periods prior to March 7, 2020 (see “Legal Proceedings at pages 20 - 21. Our future revenue is largely dependent on our ability to monetize our other patent assets. We have pending litigation involving our assertion of infringement claims concerning certain patents within our Cox Patent Portfolio and our Remote Power Patent. In addition, we have a pending appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit of the District Court judgment of non-infringement dismissing our case against Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly Facebook, Inc.) involving certain patents within our Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio (see “Legal Proceedings” at pages 19 - 21 of this Annual Report). At December 31, 2023, we had cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities of $45,467,000 and working capital of $44,850,000. Based on our current cash position, we believe that we will have sufficient cash to fund our operations for the foreseeable future. -3- We currently own one hundred (100) U.S. patents and fifteen(15) foreign patents relating to patents within our Cox Patent Portfolio, M2M/IoT Patent Portfolio, HFT Patent Portfolio, Mirror World Patent Portfolio and our Remote Power Patent. With respect to our one hundred (100) U.S. patents, fifty-four (54) of such patents have expired. However, we can assert expired patents against third parties but only for past damages up to the expiration date. We currently have pending litigation involving expired patents including our Remote Power Patent, and certain patents within Our Cox and Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolios (see “Legal Proceedings” at pages 19 - 21 hereof). Overview of Our Patents Cox Patent Portfolio Our Cox Patent Portfolio, acquired from Dr. Ingemar Cox in February 2013, currently consists of thirty-nine (39) U.S. patents relating to enabling technology for identifying media content on the Internet, such as audio and video, and taking further actions to be performed based on such identification. All of the patents within our Cox patent portfolio have expired. We have pending litigation against Google Inc. and YouTube, LLC involving assertion of certain patents within our Cox Patent Portfolio (see “Legal Proceedings” at pages 19 - 20 hereof). The patents within our Cox Patent Portfolio are based on a patent application filed in 2000. Since the acquisition of the Cox Patent Portfolio in February 2013, we have been issued thirty-four (34) additional patents relating to this portfolio. The claims in these thirty-four (34) additional patents are generally directed towards systems of content identification and performing actions following therefrom. We are obligated to pay Dr. Cox 12.5% of the net proceeds generated by us from licensing, sale or enforcement of the Cox Patent Portfolio. Dr. Cox provides consulting services to us with respect to the Cox Patent Portfolio and assists our efforts to develop the patent portfolio. Dr. Cox is currently a Professor at the University of Copenhagen and University College London where he is head of its Information and Decision Systems Group. Dr. Cox was formerly a member of the Technical Staff at AT&T Bell Labs and a Fellow at NEC Research Institute. He is a Fellow of the ACM, IEEE, the IET (formerly IEE), and the British Computer Society and is a member of the UK Computing Research Committee. In 2019, Dr. Cox was the recipient of the Tony Kent Strix Award in recognition of his contribution to the field of information retrieval. He was founding co-editor in chief of the IEE Proc. on Information Security and was an associate editor of the IEEE Trans. on Information Forensics and Security. He is co-author of a book entitled “Digital Watermarking” and its second edition “Digital Watermarking and Steganography”. He is an inventor or co-inventor of over seventy (70) U.S. patents. -4- M2M/IoT Patent Portfolio Our M2M/IoT Patent Portfolio, acquired in December 2017 from M2M and IoT Technologies, LLC (“M2M”), relates to, among other things, enabling technology for authenticating and using eSIM (embedded Subscriber Identification Module) technology in IoT, Machine-to-Machine and other mobile devices including smartphones, tablets and computers, as well as automobiles. The M2M/IoT Patent Portfolio currently consists of thirty-seven (37) issued U.S. patents, nine (9) pending U.S. patent applications, fourteen (14) registered foreign patents and one (1) additional pending non-U.S. patent applications. Since we acquired the M2M/IoT Patent Portfolio in December 2017, we have been issued twenty-three (23) additional U.S. patents with respect to the portfolio. We anticipate further issuances of additional claims for this portfolio. The expiration dates of the thirty-seven (37) issued U.S. patents currently within our M2M/IoT Patent Portfolio range from September 2033 to May 2034. We have an obligation to pay M2M 14% of the first $100 million of net proceeds (after deduction of expenses) and 5% of net proceeds greater than $100 million from Monetization Activities (as defined) related to our M2M/IoT Patent Portfolio. In addition, M2M will be entitled to receive from us $250,000 of additional consideration upon the occurrence of certain future events related to the patent portfolio. John Nix, the Managing Member of M2M, provides consulting services to us with respect to our M2M/IoT Patent Portfolio. Mr. Nix is an entrepreneur and inventor, and founder and Chief Executive Officer of Vobal Technologies, LLC. In 2016, Mr. Nix was recognized as “Creator of the Year” by the Intellectual Property Law Association of Chicago for his intellectual property related to eSIM technology. HFT Patent Portfolio On March 25, 2022, we acquired the HFT Patent Portfolio. This portfolio covers certain advanced technologies relating to high frequency trading, which inventions specifically address technological problems associated with speed and latency and provide critical latency gains in trading systems where the difference between success and failure may be measured in nanoseconds. The HFT Patent Portfolio currently includes nine issued U.S. patents and two pending U.S. patents. In addition to the purchase price that we paid at closing, we have an obligation to pay the seller an additional cash payment of $500,000 and $375,000 of our common stock contingent upon achieving certain milestones with respect to the HFT Patent Portfolio. We also have an obligation to pay the seller 15% of the first $50 million of net proceeds (after deduction of expenses) generated from the patent portfolio and 17.5% of net proceeds greater than $50 million. -5- Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio Our Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio, acquired in May 2013, consists of ten (10) U.S. patents and covers foundational technologies that enable unified search and indexing, displaying and archiving of documents in a computer system. All of our patents within our Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio have expired. The Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio includes U.S. Patent No. 6,006,227 (the “227 Patent”), U.S. Patent No. 7,865,538 and U.S. Patent No. 8,255,439 which are currently being asserted in our litigation against Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly Facebook, Inc.) (see “Legal Proceedings” at page 20 hereof). Our 227 Patent was previously asserted in litigations against Apple Inc. and Microsoft Corporation which were settled resulting in aggregate payments to us of $29,650,000. The inventions relating to document stream operating systems covered by our Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio resulted from the work done by Yale University computer scientist, Professor David Gelernter, and his then graduate student, Dr. Eric Freeman, in the mid-1990s. Certain aspects of the technologies developed by David Gelernter were commercialized in their company's product offering called “Scopeware.” Technologies embodied in Scopeware are now common in various computer and web-based operating systems. As part of our acquisition of the Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio in 2013, we also entered into an agreement with Recognition Interface, LLC (“Recognition”), an entity that financed the commercialization of the Mirror Worlds patent portfolio prior to its sale to Mirror Worlds, LLC and also retained an interest in the licensing proceeds of the Mirror Worlds patent portfolio. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement with us, we are obligated to pay Recognition an interest in the net proceeds realized from our monetization of the Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio as follows: (i) 10% of the first $125 million of net proceeds; (ii) 15% of the next $125 million of net proceeds; and (iii) 20% of any portion of the net proceeds in excess of $250 million. Since entering into the agreement with Recognition in May 2013, we have paid Recognition an aggregate of $3,127,000 with respect to such net proceeds interest in our Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio (no such payments were made during the years 2023 and 2022). Remote Power Patent Our Remote Power Patent (U.S. Patent No. 6,218,930) covers the delivery of power over Ethernet cables for the purpose of remotely powering network devices such as wireless access ports, IP phones and network based cameras. Our Remote Power Patent expired on March 7, 2020. Notwithstanding the expiration of the Remote Power Patent in March 2020, in October and November 2022, we asserted the patent in nine separate actions against ten defendants for damages prior to March 7, 2020 and have reached settlement agreements with eight of the defendants (see “Legal Proceedings” at pages 20 - 21 hereof). On June 13, 2003, the Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEEE), a non-profit, technical professional association, approved the 802.3af Power over Ethernet standard (the “Standard”), which covers technologies deployed in delivering power over Ethernet networks. The Standard provides for the Power Sourcing Equipment (PSE) to bedeployed in switches or as standalone midspan hubs to provide power to remote devices such as wireless access points, IP phones and network-based cameras. The technology is commonly referred to as Power over Ethernet (“PoE”). In 2009, the IEEE Standards Association approved 802.3at, a new PoE standard which, among other things, increased the available power for delivery over Ethernet networks. We believe that our Remote Power Patent covers several of the key technologies covered by both the 802.3af and 802.3at standards. -6- Network-1 Strategy Our strategy is to capitalize on our intellectual property assets by entering into licensing arrangements with third parties that utilize our intellectual property's proprietary technologies as well as any additional proprietary technologies covered by patents which may be acquired by us in the future. Our current patent acquisition and development strategy is to focus on acquiring high quality patents which management believes have the potential to generate significant licensing opportunities as has been the case with our Remote Power Patent and Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio. Our Remote Power Patent has generated licensing revenue in excess of $188,000,000 from May 2007 through December 31, 2023. Since the acquisition of our Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio in May 2013, we have received licensing and other revenue of $47,150,000 through December 31, 2023. In addition, we may enter into third party strategic relationships with inventors and patent owners to assist in the development and monetization of their patent technologies. Based on our cash position, we review opportunities to acquire additional intellectual property as well as evaluate other strategic alternatives. In connection with our activities relating to the protection of our intellectual property assets, or the intellectual property assets of third parties with whom we may have strategic relationships in the future, it may be necessary to assert patent infringement claims against third parties whom we believe are infringing our patents or those of our strategic partners. We are currently involved in several litigations to protect our patents including certain patents within our Cox Patent Portfolio, Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio and Remote Power Patent (see “Legal Proceedings” at pages 19 - 21 hereof). We have previously successfully asserted litigation with respect to our Remote Power Patent and our Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio and have also been successful in defending proceedings at the USPTO challenging the validity of our Remote Power Patent and certain patents within our Cox Patent Portfolio. -7- Revenue Concentration Revenue from our Remote Power Patent as a result of litigation settlements constituted 100% of our revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023, of which four defendants constituted 90% of our revenue for such year. We anticipate that our future revenue will continue to be derived from a few parties. Competition With respect to our ability to acquire additional intellectual property assets or enter into strategic relationships with third parties to monetize their intellectual property assets, we face considerable competition from other companies, many of which have significantly greater financial and other resources than we have. The patent licensing and enforcement industry has grown and there has been a material increase in the number of companies seeking to acquire intellectual property assets from third parties or to provide financing to third parties seeking to monetize their intellectual property. Entities including, among others, Acacia Research Corporation (NASDAQ:ACTG), Intellectual Ventures, WI-LAN Inc., VirnetX Holdings Corporation (NYSE MKT:VHC) and RPX Corporation, seek to acquire intellectual property or partner with third parties to license or enforce intellectual property rights. In addition, we also compete with strategic corporate buyers with respect to the acquisition of intellectual property assets. It is expected that others will enter this market as well. Many of these competitors have significantly greater financial and human resources than us. We may also compete with litigation funding firms such as Burford Capital Limited, Validity Finance, LLC, Fortress Investment Group, LLC, Parabellum Capital LLC and Bentham Capital LLC, venture capital firms and hedge funds for intellectual property acquisitions and licensing opportunities. Many of these competitors also have greater financial resources and human resources than us. Regulatory Environment If new legislation, regulations or rules are implemented either by Congress, the USPTO or the courts that impact the patent application process, the patent enforcement process or the rights of patent holders, these changes could negatively affect our business, financial condition and results of operations. Certain legislation, regulations, and rulings by the courts and actions by the USPTO have materially increased the risk and cost of enforcement of patents. U.S. patent laws were amended by the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, referred to as the “America Invents Act”, which became effective on March 16, 2013. The America Invents Act included a number of significant changes to U.S. patent law. In general, it addressed issues surrounding the enforceability of patents and the increase in patent litigation by, among other things, establishing new procedures for patent litigation and new administrative post-grant review procedures to challenge the patentability of issued patents outside of litigation, including Inter Partes Review (IPR) and Covered Business Method Review (CBM) proceedings which provide third parties a timely and cost effective alternative to district court litigation to challenge the validity of an issued patent. The America Invents Act and its implementation increased the uncertainties and costs surrounding the enforcement of patent rights has made it more difficult to successfully enforce our patents. -8- In addition, future changes in patent law could adversely impact our business. Such changes may not be advantageous to us and may make it more difficult to obtain adequate patent protection to enforce our patents. Increased focus on the growing number of patent lawsuits, particularly by non-practicing entities (NPEs), may result in legislative changes which increase the risk and costs of asserting patent litigation. Investment in ILiAD Biotechnologies During the period December 2018 to date, we made aggregate investments of $7,000,000 in ILiAD, a privately held clinical stage biotechnology company dedicated to the prevention and treatment of human disease caused by Bordetella pertussis. ILiAD is currently focused on validating its proprietary intranasal vaccine, BPZE1, for the prevention of pertussis (whooping cough). Pertussis is a life-threatening disease caused by the highly contagious respiratory bacterium Bordetella pertussis. ILiAD has the exclusive license to seventy (70) issued patents and has forty-nine (49) pending patent applications. On December 31, 2023, we owned approximately 6.7% of the outstanding units of ILiAD on a non-fully diluted basis and 5.4% of the outstanding units on a fully diluted basis (after giving effect to the exercise of all outstanding options, and warrants). In connection with our investment, Corey Horowitz, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, became a member of ILiAD’s Board of Managers and receives the same compensation for service on the Board as the other non- management Board members. BPZE1 was developed in the laboratory of Camille Locht, PhD, at the Institut Pasteur de Lille (IPL) and French National Institute of Health and Medical research. BPZE1 is a live-attenuated intranasal vaccine designed to overcome deficiencies of current pertussis vaccines, including poor durability of protection and failure to prevent nasopharyngeal Bordetella pertussis infections that lead to escape mutants and transmission to vulnerable infants. On August 24, 2022, ILiAD consummated a private financing of $42,800,000 of its Class D units, of which a multi-national pharmaceutical company invested $30,000,000. As a result of the financing, we recognized a gain in 2022 of $3,883,000 on our equity investment and a gain of $271,000 with respect to the conversion of our convertible note in the principal amount of $1,000,000 plus interest into equity of ILiAD. -9- Corporate Information We were incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in July 1990. Our principal executive offices are located at 65 Locust Avenue, Third Floor, New Canaan, Connecticut 06840 and our telephone number is (203) 920-1055. Available Information We file or furnish various reports, such as registration statements, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other materials with the SEC. Our website address is www.network-1.com. You may obtain, free of charge on our Internet website, copies of our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements, Section 16 filings and amendments to those reports or statements filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. The information we post on our website is intended for reference purposes only; none of the information posted on our website is part of this Annual Report or incorporated by reference herein. In addition to the materials that are posted on our website, you may read and copy any materials we file with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800- SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and other information statements, and other information regarding issuers, including us, that file electronically with the SEC. The address of the SEC’s Internet site is http://www.sec.gov. Employees and Consultants We currently have two full-time employees and two consultants providing monthly services to us. ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS Our operations and financial results are subject to various material risks and uncertainties, including those described below, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flow, and the trading price of our common stock. You should carefully consider the material risks and uncertainties described below in addition to the other information set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, including, but not limited to, the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” The material risks described below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks that we do not know of or that we currently believe are immaterial may also impair our business operations. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flow could be materially adversely affected, and the trading price of our common stock could decline significantly. -10- Risks Related to Our Business Our revenue is uncertain as it is dependent upon litigation outcomes involving our patents which we cannot predict. Our revenue is dependent upon our litigation outcomes. We currently have pending litigation involving our Cox Patent Portfolio and Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio as well as our Remote Power Patent (see “Legal Proceedings” at pages 19 - 21 hereof). Patent litigation is inherently risky and uncertain and we cannot assure you that any of our current or future litigation will result in a favorable outcome for us. Accordingly, our revenue is uncertain. If we are unable to protect our patents, our business would be negatively impacted. We believe our patents are valid, enforceable and valuable. Despite this belief, third parties typically defend assertion of our patents by asserting defenses, among others, of non-infringement and invalidity. In addition, in the future certain of our patents may be subject to USPTO post-grant inter partes review proceedings (IPRs) which could result in all or a part of our patents being invalidated or the claims being limited. Unfavorable outcomes in our litigation or IPRs may reduce our ability to enforce our patents or have other adverse consequences. If we are unable to protect our patents or otherwise realize value for them, our business would be negatively impacted. The outcome of our substantial investment in ILiAD is uncertain. To date we have invested $7,000,000 in ILiAD, a privately held clinical stage biotechnology company, with focus on validating its proprietary intranasal vaccine (BPZE1) for the prevention of pertussis (whopping cough). Notwithstanding the aforementioned, ILiAD still faces material risks going forward. Accordingly, our investment in ILiAD remains subject to substantial risks. We have been dependent upon our Remote Power Patent for a significant portion of our revenue and we may not be able to generate future revenue from our other patents. Our Remote Power Patent has generated revenue for us in excess of $188,000,000 from May 2007 through December 31, 2023. Revenue from our Remote Power Patent constituted 100% of our revenue ($2,601,000) for 2023. We had no revenue in 2022 and revenue from our Remote Power Patent constituted 100% of our revenue for 2021 ($36,029,000), 2020 ($4,403,000) and 2019 ($3,037,000). As a result of the expiration of our Remote Power Patent on March 7, 2020, we no longer receive revenue from such patent for any period subsequent to the expiration date. Our failure to successfully monetize our other patents would have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and operating results. -11- We may not achieve successful outcomes of our pending or future litigation which would have a negative impact on our business. We are currently enforcing certain patents within our Cox Patent Portfolio against Google and YouTube, who are challenging these patents and we are also asserting our Remote Power Patent against Ubiquity Inc. and Honeywell International Inc. We have appealed to the Federal Circuit the District Court decision granting Facebook (Meta Platforms, Inc.), summary judgment of non-infringement and dismissing our case involving certain patents within our Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio (see “Legal Proceedings” at pages 19 - 20 hereof). In addition, our M2M/IoT Patent Portfolio and HFT Patent Portfolio are not currently being asserted. We may not have success in enforcing or defending our patents, which would have a negative impact on our business. We may not be able to capitalize in the future on our strategy to acquire high quality patents with significant licensing opportunities or enter into strategic relationships with third parties to license or otherwise monetize their intellectual property. Based upon the success we achieved from licensing our Remote Power Patent (twenty-eight (28) license agreements and in excess of $188,000,000 of revenue through December 31, 2023), the revenue we generated from our Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio ($47,150,000) and establishing a patent portfolio currently consisting of one hundred (100) U.S. patents and fifteen (15) foreign patents as well as our cash position, we believe we have the expertise and sufficient capital to compete in the patent monetization market and to enter strategic relationships with third parties to develop, commercialize, license or otherwise monetize their patents. Our strategy is to focus on acquiring high quality patent assets which management believes have the potential for significant licensing opportunities. However, we may not be able to acquire such additional high quality patents or, if acquired, we may not achieve material revenue or profit from such patents. Acquisitions of patent assets are competitive, time consuming, complex and costly to consummate. High quality patents with significant licensing opportunities are difficult to find and are often very competitive to acquire. In addition, such acquisitions present material risks. Even if we acquire such additional patent assets, we may not be able to achieve significant licensing revenue or even generate sufficient revenue related to such patent assets to offset the acquisition costs and the legal fees and expenses which may be incurred to enforce, license or otherwise monetize such patents. In addition, we may not be able to enter into strategic relationships with third parties to license or otherwise monetize their intellectual property and, even if we consummate such strategic relationships, we may not achieve material revenue or profit from such relationships. The patent monetization cycle is long, costly and unpredictable. There is generally a significant time lag between acquiring a patent portfolio and recognizing revenue from those patent assets. During this time lag, significant costs are likely to be incurred which may have a negative impact on our results of operations, cash flow and financial position. Furthermore, the outcome of our efforts to monetize our patents is uncertain and we may not be successful. -12- Our quarterly and annual operating and financial results, including our revenue, are difficult to predict and are likely to fluctuate significantly in future periods. Our quarterly and annual operating and financial results are difficult to predict and may fluctuate significantly from period to period. In 2023, we had revenue of $2,601,000 and incurred a net loss of $1,457,000. In 2022, we had no revenue and incurred a net loss of $2,326,000. We had revenue of $36,029,000 and net income of $14,281,000 for 2021, as compared to revenue of $4,403,000 and a net loss of $1,709,000 for 2020. Accordingly, our revenue, net income and results of operations may widely fluctuate as a result of a variety of factors that are outside our control including the timing and our ability to achieve successful outcomes from current and future patent litigation, our ability and timing in consummating future license agreements for our intellectual property assets, the timing and extent of payments received by us from licensees, whether we will achieve a successful outcome of our investment in ILiAD, and the timing and our ability to achieve revenue from future strategic relationships. In the future we could be classified as a Personal Holding Company resulting in a 20% tax on our PHC Income that we do not distribute to our shareholders. The personal holding company (“PHC”) rules under the Internal Revenue Code impose a 20% tax on a PHC’s undistributed personal holding company income (“UPHCI”), which means, in general, taxable income subject to certain adjustments and reduced by certain distributions to shareholders. For a corporation to be classified as a PHC, it must satisfy two tests: (1) that more than 50% in value of its outstanding shares must be owned directly or indirectly by five or fewer individuals at any time during the second half of the year (after applying constructive ownership rules to attribute stock owned by entities to their beneficial owners and among certain family members and other related parties) (the “Ownership Test”) and (2) at least 60% of its adjusted ordinary gross income for a taxable year consists of dividends, interest, royalties, annuities and rents (the “Income Test”). During the second half of 2023, based on available information concerning our shareholder ownership, we did not satisfy the Ownership Test. In addition, we did not satisfy the Income Test for 2023. Thus, we were not a PHC for 2023. However, we may be determined to be a PHC in the future. If we were determined to be a PHC in 2024 or any future year, we would be subject to an additional 20% tax on our UPHCI. In such event, we may issue a special cash dividend to our shareholders in an amount equal to the UPHCI rather than incur the 20% tax. We are dependent upon our CEO and Chairman. Our success is largely dependent upon the personal efforts of Corey M. Horowitz, our Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our Board of Directors. On March 22, 2022, we entered into a new four year employment agreement with Mr. Horowitz pursuant to which he continues to serve as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. The loss of the services of Mr. Horowitz would have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects. We do not maintain key-man life insurance on the life of Mr. Horowitz. -13- Cash dividends may not be continued to be paid. Our dividend policy consists of semi-annual cash dividends of $0.05 per share ($0.10 per share annually) which have been paid in March and September of each year. We have paid such semi-annual dividends since our dividend policy was enacted in December 2016. At this time, we anticipate continuing to pay dividends consistent with our policy. However, our dividend policy undergoes a periodic review by our Board of Directors and is subject to change at any time depending upon our earnings, financial requirements and other factors existing at the time. We may not be in a position to continue to pay dividends in the future. Legislation, regulations, court rulings and actions by the USPTO have materially increased the risk and cost of enforcement of patents and may continue to do so in the future. Legislation, regulations, court rulings and actions by the USPTO have materially increased the risk and cost of enforcing patents. U.S. patent laws were amended by the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act, referred to as the America Invents Act, which became effective on March 16, 2013. The America Invents Act included a number of significant changes to U.S. patent law. In general, it addressed issues surrounding the enforceability of patents and the increase in patent litigation by, among other things, established new procedures for patent litigation and new administrative post-grant review procedures to challenge the patentability of issued patents outside of litigation, including Inter Partes Review (IPR) proceedings, which provide third parties a timely, cost effective alternative to district court litigation to challenge the validity of an issued patent. In addition, the America Invents Act changed the way that parties may be joined in patent infringement actions, and increased the likelihood that such actions will need to be brought against individual parties allegedly infringing by their respective individual actions or activities. The America Invents Act and its implementation also increased the uncertainties and costs surrounding the enforcement of patent rights, which have made it more difficult to successfully prosecute our patents. The increasing development of artificial intelligence could materially impact our business. Our patents are central to our business strategy of licensing our intellectual property rights or enforcing such rights against those that we believe are infringing. However, rapid advancements in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) have the potential to disrupt our current business model in various ways. AI technologies are increasingly capable of developing solutions that either design around existing patents or create alternative technologies that may not infringe on our intellectual property. As AI evolves, it may accelerate the pace at which our patents become obsolete or irrelevant, reducing our ability to monetize our patent portfolio effectively. Furthermore, the proliferation of AI may lead to the emergence of new market participants with innovative solutions that challenge our patents' validity or enforceability. Such challenges could result in lengthy legal battles or the invalidation of our patents, thereby impacting our potential future revenue. -14- AI driven legal analytics tools can also empower potential infringers with sophisticated insights into the strengths and weaknesses of our patent claims, potentially reducing our leverage in litigation and licensing negotiations. The integration of AI technologies into the products and services of the companies we may assert claims against could also complicate infringement analyses and legal arguments, potentially affecting the outcomes of our enforcement actions. Investors are advised that our financial results could be adversely affected if we are unable to adapt to the rapid changes brought about by AI and ML technologies, and our ability to enforce our patent rights is consequently diminished. Changes in patent law could adversely impact our business. Patent laws may continue to change and may alter the protections afforded to owners of patent rights. Such changes may not be advantageous to us and may make it more difficult to obtain adequate patent protection to enforce our patents. Increased focus on the growing number of patent lawsuits, particularly by non-practicing entities (NPEs), may result in further legislative changes which increase the risk and costs of asserting patent litigation. Our pending patent infringement litigations are time consuming and costly. We have pending litigations involving our Cox Patent Portfolio, Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio (pending appeal to the Federal Circuit of dismissal of our Facebook (Meta Platforms, Inc.) litigation) and Remote Power Patent (see “Legal Proceedings” at pages 19 - 21 of this Annual Report). While we have contingent legal fee arrangements, or a contingency plus a fixed cash amount arrangement, with our patent litigation counsel in each litigation, we are responsible for all or a portion of the expenses which are anticipated to be material. In addition, the time and effort required of our management to effectively pursue these litigations is likely to be significant and it may adversely affect other business opportunities. We face intense competition to acquire intellectual property and enter into strategic relationships. With respect to our ability to acquire additional intellectual property or enter into strategic relationships with third parties to monetize their intellectual property, we face considerable competition from other companies, many of which have significantly greater financial and other resources than we have. We face a number of competitors in the patent licensing and enforcement business seeking to acquire intellectual property rights from third parties. Many of these competitors have significantly more financial and human resources than us. We may also compete with strategic corporate buyers, litigation funding firms, venture capital firms and hedge funds for intellectual property acquisitions and licensing opportunities. Many of these competitors have greater financial resources and human resources than us. -15- Our markets are subject to rapid technological change and our technologies face potential technology obsolescence. The markets covered by our intellectual property are characterized by rapid technological changes, changing customer requirements, frequent new product introductions and enhancements, and evolving industry standards. The introduction of products embodying new technologies and the emergence of new industry standards may render our technologies obsolete or less marketable. In addition, other companies may develop competing technologies that offer better or less expensive alternatives to the technologies covered by our intellectual property. Moreover, technological advances or entirely different approaches developed by other companies or adopted by various standards groups could render our patents obsolete, less marketable or unenforceable. The burdens of being a public company may adversely affect us including our ability to pursue litigation. As a public company, our management must devote substantial time, attention and financial resources to comply with U.S. securities laws. This may have a material adverse effect on management's ability to effectively and efficiently pursue its business. In addition, our disclosure obligations under U.S. securities laws require us to disclose information publicly that will be available to litigation opponents. We may, from time to time, be required to disclose information that may have a material adverse effect on our litigation strategies. This information may enable our litigation opponents to develop effective litigation strategies that are contrary to our interests. General Risk Factors Investors may have limited influence on stockholder decisions because ownership of our common stock is concentrated. As of February 15 , 2024, our executive officers and directors beneficially owned 32% of our outstanding common stock. As a result, these stockholders may be able to exercise substantial control over all matters requiring stockholder approval, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions, such as a merger or other sale of our company or its assets. This concentration of ownership will limit other stockholders' ability to influence corporate matters and may have the effect of delaying or preventing a third party from acquiring control over us. -16- Our common stock may be delisted from the NYSE American exchange if we fail to comply with continued listing standards. Our common stock is currently traded on the NYSE American exchange under the symbol “NTIP”. If we fail to meet any of the continued listing standards of the NYSE American exchange, our common stock could be delisted. Such delisting could adversely affect the price and trading (including liquidity) of our common stock. There are inherent uncertainties involved in estimates, judgments and assumptions used in the preparation of financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Any changes in estimates, judgments and assumptions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results. The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States involves making estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect reported amounts of assets (including intangible assets), liabilities and related reserves, revenues, expenses, and income. Estimates, judgments, and assumptions are inherently subject to change in the future, and any such changes could result in corresponding changes to the amounts of assets, liabilities, expenses, and income. Any such changes could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results. Provisions in our corporate charter, by-laws and in Delaware law could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, discourage a takeover and adversely affect existing stockholders. Our certificate of incorporation authorizes the Board of Directors to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock. The preferred stock may be issued in one or more series, the terms of which may be determined at the time of issuance by our Board of Directors, without further action by stockholders, and may include, among other things, voting rights (including the right to vote as a series on particular matters), preferences as to dividends and liquidation, conversion and redemption rights, and sinking fund provisions, any of which could adversely affect holders of our common stock. Although there are currently no shares of preferred stock outstanding, future holders of preferred stock may have rights superior to our common stock and such rights could also be used to restrict our ability to merge with or sell our assets to third parties. We are also subject to the “anti-takeover” provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which could prevent us from engaging in a “business combination” with a 15% or greater stockholder for a period of three years from the date such person acquired that status unless appropriate board or stockholder approvals are obtained. In addition, our By-laws contain advance notice requirements for director nominations and for new business to be brought up at stockholder meetings. Stockholders wishing to submit director nominations or raise matters to a vote of stockholders must provide notice to us within specified date windows and in very specific forms in order to have that matter voted on at a stockholders meeting. The aforementioned provisions could deter unsolicited takeovers or delay or prevent changes in our control or management, including transactions in which stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over the then current market price. These provisions may also limit the ability of stockholders to delay, deter or prevent a change of control, or approve transactions that they may deem to be in their best interests. -17- Our stock price may be volatile. The market price of our common stock may be highly volatile and could fluctuate widely in price in response to various factors, many of which are beyond our control, including, but not limited to, the following: • • • • • • • • • • • • • the outcome of our litigation against Google and YouTube involving certain patents within our Cox Patent Portfolio; our ability to further develop, license and monetize our M2M/IoT Patent Portfolio; our ability to further develop, license and monetize our HFT Patent Portfolio; our ability to achieve a successful outcome of our investment in ILiAD; our ability to acquire additional intellectual property; our ability to enter into strategic relationships with third parties to license or otherwise monetize their intellectual property; variations in our quarterly and annual operating results; our ability to continue to pay cash dividends; our ability to raise capital if needed; sales of our common stock; technology changes; legislative, regulatory and competitive developments; and economic and other external factors. In addition, the securities markets have from time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that are unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. These market fluctuations may also have a material and adverse effect on the market price of our common stock. -18- ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS None. ITEM 1C. CYBERSECURITY Based on our small size (two employees and two consultants), we rely extensively on information technology systems managed by third party major service providers to securely process, store and transmit our data to conduct business. Our employees and consultants utilize end point security tools, such as firewalls and anti-virus protection, to protect our data. We have recently implemented overall risk procedures which incorporate certain uniform processes. To date, we have not engaged any consultants, auditors or other third parties in connection with our risk management system or processes. In connection with our use of third party services providers, we have certain processes in place to oversee and identify cybersecurity risks from threats and incidents. To date, we have not been materially impacted by risks from cybersecurity threats or incidents and we are not aware of cybersecurity threats or incidents that are reasonably likely to materially affect our business. However, there could be cybersecurity threats or incidents in the future that may adversely affect our business. Our Executive Vice President oversees risks of cybersecurity threats and reports quarterly, and as necessary, to the Board of Directors, including promptly reporting any cybersecurity incidents that may pose a significant risk to us. Our Executive Vice President has over ten years of experience with developers of access management, network security and data protection solutions. ITEM 2. PROPERTIES Our principal executive offices are located in New Canaan, Connecticut, where we lease approximately 2,000 square feet of office space at a base rent of $5,500 per month pursuant to a lease amendment, dated May 1, 2022, which term expires on April 30, 2025. On September 29, 2023, we exercised our early termination right under the lease to terminate the lease on December 31, 2023, which has been extended to March 31, 2024. We believe that our office facility is suitable and appropriate to support our current needs. ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS Cox Patent Portfolio Litigation On April 4, 2014 and December 3, 2014, we initiated litigation against Google Inc. (“Google”) and YouTube, LLC (“YouTube”) in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York for infringement of several of our patents within our Cox Patent Portfolio which relate to the identification of media content on the Internet. The lawsuit alleges that Google and YouTube have infringed and continue to infringe certain of our patents by making, using, selling and offering to sell unlicensed systems and related products and services, which include YouTube’s Content ID system. -19- The litigations against Google and YouTube were subject to court ordered stays which were in effect from July 2, 2015 until January 2, 2019 as a result of proceedings then pending at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and appeals to the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Pursuant to a joint stipulation and order, entered on January 2, 2019, the parties agreed, among other things, that the stays with respect to the litigations were lifted. In January 2019, the two litigations against Google and YouTube were consolidated. Discovery is complete and the parties have each submitted summary judgment motions which are pending. A trial date has not yet been set. Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio Litigation Meta (Facebook) Litigation On May 9, 2017, Mirror Worlds Technologies, LLC, our wholly-owned subsidiary, initiated litigation against Facebook, Inc. (“now Meta Platforms, Inc., “Meta”) in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, for infringement of U.S. Patent No. 6,006,227, U.S. Patent No. 7,865,538 and U.S. Patent No. 8,255,439 (among the patents within our Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio). The lawsuit alleges that the asserted patents are infringed by Meta’s core technologies that enable Meta’s Newsfeed and Timeline features. We seek, among other things, monetary damages based upon reasonable royalties. On August 11, 2018, the Court issued an order granting Meta’s motion for summary judgment of non-infringement and dismissed the case. On January 23, 2020, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled in our favor and reversed the summary judgment finding on non-infringement of the District Court and remanded the litigation to the Southern District of New York for further proceedings. On March 7, 2022, the District Court entered a ruling granting in part and denying in part a motion for summary judgment by Meta. In its ruling the Court (i) denied Meta’s motion that the asserted patents were invalid by concluding that all asserted claims were patent eligible under §101 of the Patent Act and (ii) granted summary judgment of non-infringement in favor of Meta and dismissed the case. We strongly disagree with the decision on non-infringement and on April 4, 2022, we filed an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. The appeal is pending. Remote Power Patent Litigation October-November 2022 Litigation In October and November 2022, we initiated nine separate litigations against ten defendants for infringement of our Remote Power Patent seeking monetary damages based upon reasonable royalties, as follows: (i) on October 6, 2022, we initiated such litigation against Arista Networks, Inc., Fortinet, Inc., Honeywell International Inc. and Ubiquiti Inc. in the United States District Court, District of Delaware; (ii) on October 27, 2022, and November 3, 2022, we initiated such litigation against TP-Link USA Corporation and Hikvision USA, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Central District of California;(iii) on November 4, 2022, we initiated such litigation against Panasonic Holdings Corporation and Panasonic Corporation of North America in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (Marshall Division); and (iv) on November 8, 2022 and November 16, 2022, we initiated such litigation against Antaira Technologies, LLC and Dahua Technology USA in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. -20- During the year ended December 31, 2023, we entered into settlement agreements with Arista Networks, Inc., Antaira Technologies, LLC, Dahua Technology USA, Inc., Fortinet, Inc., Hikvision USA, Inc., Panasonic Holdings Corporation and TP-Link USA Corporation with respect to the above referenced litigations resulting in aggregate settlement payments to us of $2,601,000 and a conditional payment of $150,000. Our litigations against Ubiquity Inc and Honeywell International Inc. remain pending. Netgear Litigation On December 15, 2020, we filed a lawsuit against Netgear in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, for breach of a Settlement and License Agreement, dated May 22, 2009, with us for Netgear’s failure to make royalty payments, and provide corresponding royalty reports to us based on sales of Netgear’s PoE products. On October 22, 2021, Netgear filed a Demand for Arbitration with the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) seeking to arbitrate certain issues raised in the litigation in the Supreme Court, State of New York, County of New York. We have objected to jurisdiction at the AAA. On April 22, 2022, Netgear filed a counterclaim in the New York court action alleging that we breached the license agreement by not offering Netgear lower royalties. On September 22, 2022, the arbitration brought by Netgear was dismissed by the AAA on jurisdiction grounds. On August 27, 2023, the Court granted Netgear’s cross-motion for summary judgment and dismissed our claims and also denied our summary judgment motion with respect to Netgear’s counterclaim for breach of the license agreement. We appealed the court’s decision. On February 20, 2024, the Appellate Division, First Department, upheld the lower court decision dismissing our complaint and granted our motion to dismiss Netgear’s counterclaim that we breached the most favored license provision concerning two licensees, but said there was a triable issue of fact with respect to one licensee. ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES None. -21- PART II ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES Market Information. Our common stock is listed for trading on the NYSE American exchange under the symbol “NTIP”. On March 1, 2024, the closing price for our common stock as reported on the NYSE American exchange was $2.15 per share. The number of record holders of our common stock was 37 as of March 1, 2024. In addition, we believe there were in excess of approximately 1,000 holders of our common stock in “street name” as of March 1, 2024. Dividend Policy. Our dividend policy consists of semi-annual cash dividends of $0.05 per share ($0.10 per share annually) which have been paid in March and September of each year. On March 3, 2023, our Board of Directors declared a semi-annual cash dividend of $0.05 per share with a payment date of March 31, 2023 to all common shareholders of record as of March 15, 2023. On September 8, 2023, our Board of Directors declared a semi-annual cash dividend of $0.05 per share with a payment date of September 29, 2023 to all common shareholders of record as of September 19, 2023. On February 23, 2024, our Board of Directors declared a semi-annual cash dividend of $0.05 per share with a payment date of March 29, 2024 to all common shareholders of record as of March 15, 2024. At this time, we anticipate continuing to pay dividends consistent with our policy. However, our dividend policy undergoes a periodic review by our Board of Directors and is subject to change at any time depending upon our earnings, financial requirements and other factors existing at the time. As of December 31, 2023, we accrued dividends of $99,000 for unvested restricted stock units with dividend equivalent rights. Recent Issuances of Unregistered Securities. There were no unregistered sales of equity securities during the quarter ended December 31, 2023. Stock Repurchases. On June 14, 2023, our Board of Directors authorized an extension and increase of the share repurchase program (“Share Repurchase Program”) to repurchase up to $5,000,000 of shares of our common stock over the subsequent 24 month period. The common stock may be repurchased from time to time in open market transactions or privately negotiated transactions in our discretion. The timing and amount of the shares repurchased is determined by management based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors. The Share Repurchase Program may be increased, suspended or discontinued at any time. -22- During the months of October, November and December 2023, we repurchased common stock pursuant to our Share Repurchase Program as indicated below: Period Total Number of Shares Purchased Average Price Paid Per Share Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs October 1, 2023 to October 31, 2023 November 1, 2023 to November 30, 2023 December 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023 Total 31,146 77,087 8,581 116,814 $2.22 $2.20 $2.17 $2.20 31,146 77,087 8,581 116,814 $4,561,139 $4,391,365 $4,372,705 During the year ended December 31, 2023, we repurchased an aggregate of 428,132 shares of our common stock pursuant to our Share Repurchase Program at a cost of $955,182 (exclusive of commissions) or an average price per share of $ 2.23. Since inception of our Share Repurchase Program (August 2011) to December 31, 2023, we repurchased an aggregate of 9,523,982 shares of our common stock at a cost of $18,712,916 (exclusive of commissions) or an average per share price of $1.94. On December 29, 2023, we entered into a written trading plan( the “10b5-1 Plan”) under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the” Exchange Act”). Adopting a trading plan that satisfies the conditions of Rule 10b5-1 allows a company to repurchase its shares at times when it might otherwise be prevented from doing so due to self-imposed trading black-outs or pursuant to insider trading laws. Purchases under the 10b5-1 Plan may be made during the following periods: (1) beginning on January 9, 2024 until two trading days after we issue a press release announcing our financial results for the year ended December 31, 2023, and (2) beginning on April 1, 2024 until two trading days after we issue a press release announcing our financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. Under the 10b5-1 Plan, our third party broker may purchase up to 1,000,000 shares of our common stock, subject to certain price, market, volume and timing constraints, in accordance with the terms of the plan and subject to Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act. -23- Equity Compensation Plan Information The following table summarizes share and exercise price information for our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2023. Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options and rights (a) 587,500 (1) $ — 587,500 Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options and rights (b) Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column(a)) (c) $ — (2) $ — $ — 2,180,000 (3) — 2,180,000 Equity compensation plans approved by security holders Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders Total _______________ (1) Consists of shares issuable upon vesting of outstanding restricted stock units issued under the 2022 Stock Incentive Plan and the 2013 Stock Incentive Plan. (2) Does not take into account outstanding restricted stock units as these awards have no exercise price. (3) Represents shares of common stock reserved for issuance under our 2022 Stock Incentive Plan. We have discontinued issuing awards under our 2013 Stock Incentive Plan as a result of adoption of the 2022 Stock Incentive Plan. Our 2022 Stock Incentive Plan (“2022 Plan”) provides for the grant of any or all of the following types of awards: (a) stock options, (b) restricted stock units (c) restricted stock, (d) stock appreciation rights, (e) unrestricted stock awards, (f) cash based awards, and (g) other stock-based awards. Awards under the 2022 Plan may be granted singly, in combination, or in tandem. Subject to standard anti-dilution adjustments as provided in the 2022 Plan, the 2022 Plan provides for an aggregate of 2,300,000 shares of our common stock to be available for distribution pursuant to the 2022 Plan. The Compensation Committee (or the Board of Directors) will generally have the authority to administer the 2022 Plan, determine participants who will be granted awards under the 2022 Plan, the size and types of awards, the terms and conditions of awards and the form and content of the award agreements representing awards. Awards under the 2022 Plan may be granted to our employees, directors and consultants. As of December 31, 2023, there were 75,000 shares issuable upon vesting of outstanding restricted stock units under our 2022 Plan and 512,500 shares issuable upon vesting outstanding restricted stock units under our 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (“2013 Plan”). ITEM 6. (RESERVED) Not applicable. -24- ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and related notes contained elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The following discussion contains forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, estimates and beliefs. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to these differences include those discussed below and elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, particularly in the “Risk Factors” Section on pages 10 - 18 hereof. OVERVIEW Our principal business is the development, licensing and protection of our intellectual property assets. We presently own one hundred (100) U.S. patents and fifteen (15) foreign patents relating to: (i) our Cox Patent Portfolio relating to enabling technology for identifying media content on the Internet and taking further action to be performed after such identification; (ii) our M2M/IoT Patent Portfolio relating to, among other things, enabling technology for authenticating and using eSIM (embedded Subscriber Identification Module) technology in IoT, Machine-to-Machine and other mobile devices, including smartphones, tablets and computers, as well as automobiles; (iii) our HFT Patent Portfolio covering certain advanced technologies relating to high frequency trading, which inventions specifically address technological problems associated with speed and latency and provide critical latency gains in trading systems where the difference between success and failure may be measured in nanoseconds; (iv) our Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio relating to foundational technologies that enable unified search and indexing, displaying and archiving of documents in a computer system; and (v) our Remote Power Patent covering the delivery of power over Ethernet (PoE) cables for the purpose of remotely powering network devices, such as wireless access ports, IP phones and network based cameras. With respect to our one hundred (100) U.S. patents, fifty-four (54) of such patents have expired. However, we can assert expired patents against third parties but only for past damages up to the patent expiration date. We currently have pending litigation involving expired patents including our Remote Power Patent and certain patents within our Cox and Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolios (see Note K to our consolidated financial statements included herein). Our revenue is dependent upon our ability to achieve successful litigation outcomes. At December 31, 2023, our principal sources of liquidity consisted of cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities of $45,467,000 and working capital of $44,850,000. Based on our cash position, we review opportunities to acquire additional intellectual property as well as evaluate other strategic opportunities. To date we have invested $7,000,000 in ILiAD, a clinical stage biotechnology company with an exclusive license to seventy(70) patents (see Note H to our consolidated financial statements included herein). Our investment continues to involve significant risk and the outcome is uncertain. -25- We have been dependent upon our Remote Power Patent for a significant portion of our revenue. Our Remote Power Patent has generated revenue in excess of $188,000,000 from May 2007 through December 31, 2023. We no longer receive licensing revenue for our Remote Power Patent for any period subsequent to March 7, 2020 (the expiration date of the patent). During the fourth quarter of 2022, we commenced nine separate litigations against ten defendants involving our Remote Power Patent for patent infringement for the period prior to March 7, 2020. During 2023, we entered into settlement agreements with eight of the defendants with respect to the aforementioned litigation resulting in aggregate settlement payments made to us of $2,601,000 and a future conditional payment of $150,000 (see Note K to our consolidated financial statements included herein). All of our revenue for 2023 was from these settlements involving our Remote Power Patent. If we are unable to successfully monetize our other patent portfolios or achieve a successful outcome of our investment in ILiAD, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be negatively impacted. In addition, we have pending litigation involving certain patents within our Cox Patent Portfolio and have appealed the judgment of the District Court dismissing our litigation against Meta (Facebook) on the grounds of non-infringement involving certain patents within our Mirror Worlds Portfolio. We may not achieve successful outcomes of such litigation, the appeal, or future litigation involving our patent assets. Our current strategy includes continuing our licensing efforts with respect to our intellectual property assets and the monetization of our patent portfolios. In addition, we continue to seek to acquire additional intellectual property assets to develop, commercialize, license or otherwise monetize. Our strategy includes working with inventors and patent owners to assist in the development and monetization of their patented technologies. We may also enter into strategic relationships with third parties to develop, commercialize, license or otherwise monetize their intellectual property. Our patent acquisition and development strategy is to focus on acquiring high quality patents which management believes have the potential to generate significant licensing opportunities as we have achieved with respect to our Remote Power Patent and Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio. The significant components of expenses, when revenue is recorded, that may impact our net income (loss) relate to contingent legal fees and expenses related to our patent litigation (see Note I[1] to our consolidated financial statements included herein) and incentive compensation payable to our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to his employment agreement (see Note J[1] to our consolidated financial statements included herein). Both such components of expenses are based on a percentage of the revenue received by us as a result of litigation or otherwise. Our annual and quarterly operating and financial results may fluctuate significantly from period to period as a result of a variety of factors that are outside our control, including the timing and our ability to achieve successful outcomes of our patent litigation, our ability and timing of consummating future license agreements for our intellectual property, and whether we will achieve a return on our investment in ILiAD and the timing of any such return. -26- Our future operating results may also be materially impacted by our ability to acquire high quality patents which management believes have the potential to generate significant licensing opportunities. In the future, we may not be able to identify or consummate such patent acquisitions or, if consummated, achieve significant licensing revenue with respect to such acquisitions. In 2024, and future years we could be classified as a Personal Holding Company. If this is the case, we would be subject to a 20% tax on the amount of any undistributed personal holding company income (as defined) for such year that we do not distribute to our shareholders (see Note E to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report). Our current dividend policy consists of semi-annual cash dividends of $0.05 per share ($0.10 per share annually) which have been paid in March and September of each year. In 2023 and 2022, we paid semi-annual cash dividends in accordance with our dividend policy. At this time, we anticipate continuing to pay dividends consistent with our policy. However, our dividend policy undergoes a periodic review by our Board of Directors and is subject to change at any time depending upon our financial requirements, earnings and other factors existing at the time (see Note N to our consolidated financial statements included herein). -27- RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2022 Revenue. We had revenue of $2,601,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023 (“2023”) as compared to no revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022 (“2022”). Our revenue for 2023 was from litigation settlements involving our Remote Power Patent (see Note K[4] to our consolidated financial statements included herein). Operating Expenses. Operating expenses for 2023 were $4,836,000 as compared to $3,903,000 for 2022. The increase in operating expenses of $933,000 was primarily due to increases in costs of revenue of $874,000 related to contingent legal fees and incentive bonus compensation in connection with the litigation settlements and increases in general and administrative expenses of $111,000, offset somewhat by a reduction in amortization of patents of $50,000. We had costs of revenue of $874,000 and $-0- for 2023 and 2022, respectively. Included in the costs of revenue for 2023 were contingent legal fees of $744,000 and incentive bonus compensation of $130,000 payable to our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer pursuant to his employment agreement (see Note J[1] to our consolidated financial statements included herein). General and administrative expenses were $2,889,000 for 2023 as compared to $2,778,000 for 2022. The increase in general and administrative expenses for 2023 was primarily due to an increase in state franchise taxes of $175,000 as well as increases in payroll taxes of $98,000 and NYSE American listing fees of $31,000. These increases were offset somewhat by reductions in office rent of $71,000 and employee benefits costs of $60,000. Operating Loss. We had an operating loss of $2,235,000 for 2023 compared with an operating loss of $3,903,000 for 2022. The operating loss decrease of $1,668,000 was due to revenue of $2,601,000 from litigation settlements offset by increased operating expenses of $933,000. Interest and Dividend Income. Interest and dividend income for 2023 was $1,868,000 as compared to interest and dividend income of $1,020,000 for 2022. The increase in interest and dividend income of $848,000 for 2023 was primarily due to higher yielding fixed income investments due to generally higher interest rates during 2023. Gain on Equity Method Investment. For 2022, we recorded a gain on our equity method investment in ILiAD of $3,883,000, as compared to none for 2023, as a result of an observable price transaction relating to ILiAD’s private offering in August 2022( see Note H to our consolidated financial statements included herein). Gain on Conversion of Note. For 2022, we recorded a gain on conversion of our ILiAD convertible note of $271,000, as compared to none for 2023, as a result of an observable price transaction relating to ILiAD’s private offering in August 2022( see Note H to our consolidated financial statements included herein). -28- Realized and Unrealized Loss on Marketable Securities. For 2023, we recorded realized and unrealized gains on marketable securities of $525,000 as compared to realized and unrealized losses on marketable securities of $1,351,000 in 2022, primarily due to the more favorable interest rate environment for fixed income securities in 2023 as compared to 2022. Income Taxes. For 2023, we had a current tax expense for federal, state and local income taxes of $11,000 and a deferred tax benefit of $399,000. For 2022, we had no current income tax for federal, state and local income taxes and a deferred tax expense of $607,000. The net decrease in income tax expenses of $995,000 was primarily due to gains on our equity method investment and conversion of our ILiAD note in 2022 compared to no such transactions in 2023. Share of Net Losses of Equity Method Investee. We recognized $2,003,000 of net losses during 2023 related to our equity share of ILiAD net losses, as compared to recognized net losses of $1,639,000 for 2022 (see Note H to our consolidated financial statements included herein). The increase in our equity share of the ILiAD net losses of $364,000 for 2023 includes an additional loss of $42,000 recorded on a one quarter lag basis as a result of audited financial information for 2022 received in 2023 from ILiAD (see Note B[2] to our consolidated financial statements included herein). Net Loss. As a result of the foregoing, we realized a net loss of $1,457,000 or $0.06 per share basic and diluted for 2023 compared with a net loss of $2,326,000 or $0.10 per share basic and diluted for 2022. Our net loss for 2023 decreased by $869,000 compared to 2022 primarily due to increases in revenue of $2,601,000, interest and dividend income of $848,000, and realized and unrealized gains on investments of $1,876,000, as compared to gains in 2022 of $3,727,000 on our equity investment in ILiAD and $271,000 on conversion of our ILiAD note. These increases in 2023 of revenue and income items were offset by an increase in operating expenses of $933,000 and a reduction of income taxes of $995,000. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES We have financed our operations primarily from revenue from licensing our patents. At December 31, 2023, our principal sources of liquidity consisted of cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities of $45,467,000 and working capital of $44,850,000. Based on our current cash position, we believe that we will have sufficient cash to fund our operations for the next twelve months and the foreseeable future. Our patent infringement litigation or realization of our investment in ILiAD may result in a material increase in our liquidity and capital resources. Working capital decreased by $2,509,000 at December 31,2023 to $44,850,000 as compared to working capital of $47,359,000 at December 31, 2022. The decrease in working capital in 2023 was primarily due to our operating loss of $2,235,000, cash dividends payments of $2,371,000 and share repurchases of $966,000. These uses of working capital were offset somewhat by interest and dividend income of $1,868,000 and realized and unrealized gains on investment of $525,000. -29- Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities for 2023 increased by $5,767,000 from $(5,436,000) for 2022 to $331,000 for 2023, primarily as a result of lower income taxes paid in 2023 of $2,722,000 and increased interest and dividend income of $1,868,000. Also, non-cash gains on equity method investment of $3,883,000 and on conversion of the ILiAD note of $271,000 represented uses of cash in 2022 compared to no such transactions in 2023. Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities during 2023 increased by $28,808,000 to $6,537,000 as compared to $(22,271,000) for 2022, primarily as a result of a significant shift to investments in marketable securities in 2022 from investments in securities previously classified as cash and cash equivalents. Net cash used in financing activities for 2023 and 2022 was $3,420,000 and $3,342,000, respectively. The increase of $78,000 primarily resulted from an increase in repurchases of treasury shares of $432,000 in 2023, offset by a reduction in the value of shares delivered to fund withholding taxes of $272,000. We maintain our cash equivalents and marketable securities in money market funds, government securities, certificates of deposit and short-term fixed income securities. Accordingly, we do not believe that our investments have significant exposure to interest rate risk. OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements. CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS We do not have any long-term debt, capital lease obligations, purchase obligations or other long-term liabilities. CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, which require our management to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the balance sheet dates, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. To the extent that there are material differences between these estimates and actual results, our financial condition or results of operations would be affected. We base our estimates on our own historical experience and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable after taking account of our circumstances and expectations for the future based on available information. We evaluate these estimates on an ongoing basis. -30- We consider an accounting estimate to be critical if: (i) the accounting estimate requires us to make assumptions about matters that were highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimate was made, and (ii) changes in the estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period or use of different estimates that we reasonably could have used in the current period, would have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. There are items within our financial statements that require estimation but are not deemed critical, as defined above. For a detailed discussion of our significant accounting policies and related judgments, see Note B to our consolidated financial statements included herein. -31- ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK Not applicable. ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA The consolidated financial statements required hereby are located on pages F-1 through F-24 which follow Part III. ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE None. ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES (a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Based upon this review, our executive officers concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report on Form 10-K, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in applicable rules and forms and is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. (b) Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (i) Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting Our management is also responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate “internal control over financial reporting” of the Company, as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act. Internal control over financial reporting is defined as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the issuer’s principal executive and principal financial officer and effected by the board of directors, management and other personnel, 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 (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally -32- 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 (iii) 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. Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 using the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013). Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our internal controls over financial reporting were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. (ii) Attestation Report of Registered Public Accounting Firm We are a “smaller reporting company” as defined in Rule 12b-2 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as such, are not required to provide the information contained in this sub-section pursuant to Item 308(b) of Regulation S-K. Accordingly, this Annual Report on Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of our registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. (iii) Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2023, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION None. -33- ITEM 9C. DISCLOSURE REGARDING FOREIGN JURISDICTIONS THAT PREVENT INSPECTIONS Not Applicable. ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE PART III The following information includes information each director and executive officer has given us about his or her age, all positions he or she holds, his or her principal occupation and business experience for at least the past five years, and the names of other publicly-held companies of which he or she currently serves as a director or has served as a director during the past five years. In addition to the information presented regarding each director’s specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that led our Board to the conclusion that he or she should serve as a director, we also believe that all of our directors have a reputation for integrity, honesty and adherence to high ethical standards. They each have demonstrated business acumen, exercise sound judgment, and a commitment of service to Network-1 and our Board. Information about the number of shares of our common stock beneficially owned by each executive officer and director appears in this Annual Report under the heading “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters” beginning on page 44 hereof. There are no family relationships among any of our directors and executive officers. NAME Corey M. Horowitz Jonathan E. Greene Robert M. Mahan Emanuel R. Pearlman Niv Harizman Allison Hoffman AGE POSITION Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors Executive Vice President, Secretary and a Director Chief Financial Officer Director Director Director 69 62 57 63 59 53 -34- Corey M. Horowitz has been our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since December 2003. Mr. Horowitz has also served as Chairman of our Board of Directors since January 1996 and has been a member of our Board of Directors since April 1994. In December 2018, Mr. Horowitz became a member of the Board of Managers of ILiAD Biotechnologies, LLC, a privately held biotechnology company, in connection with our investment in the company (see “Business- Investment in ILiAD Biotechnologies” at page 9 of this Annual Report). Mr. Horowitz is also a member of the Life Sciences Institute Leadership Council at the University of Michigan. We believe Mr. Horowitz’s qualifications to serve on our Board of Directors include his significant experience and expertise as an executive in the intellectual property field, his understanding of our intellectual property and the patent acquisition, licensing and enforcement business combined with his private equity and corporate transactional experience. Jonathan E. Greene became our Executive Vice President in October 2013 and our Secretary and a member of our Board of Directors in September 2022. He served as a consultant to the Company from December 2004 until March 2013, providing technical and marketing analysis for our intellectual property portfolio. Mr. Greene became an employee of Network-1 in March 2013. From April 2006 to February 2009, Mr. Greene served as a marketing consultant for Avatier Corporation, a developer of identity management software. From August 2003 until December 2004, he served as a consultant to Neartek, Inc., a storage management software company (August 2003 until October 2003) and Kavado Inc., a security software company (November 2003 until December 2004). We believe Mr. Greene’s qualifications to serve on our Board include his engineering and technical expertise to assist us in our patent acquisition, licensing and enforcement business. Robert M. Mahan became our Chief Financial Officer in December 2022. Mr. Mahan currently serves as President of Management and Financial Services, Inc., a consulting firm that he founded in 2011 which provides general management, financial and operations consulting services to private and public companies. In March 2023, he also became and continues to serve as Chief Financial Officer of Back Office Staffing Solutions, LLC, a private company providing back office processing services for staffing firms. From May 2021 to February 2022, Mr. Mahan served as Interim Chief Financial Officer of Loft Orbital Solutions, Inc., a space infrastructure company that designs, launches and operates low earth orbit satellites. From April 2019 to May 2021, he served as the Interim Chief Financial Officer of XWELL, Inc., formerly XpresSpa Group, Inc., (NASDAQ: XWEL),a global health and wellness holding company operating XpresCheck®, XpresSpa®, and Treat™ locations in airports. From November 2016 through April 2019, Mr. Mahan served as the Chief Financial Officer of SkyBell Technologies, Inc., a company engaged in the video doorbell and smart home industry. Mr. Mahan began his career in the audit practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers from 1989 through 1992 and as a Controller/Division Chief Financial Officer of Tommy Hilfiger USA, Inc. from 1992 – 2001. -35- Emanuel R. Pearlman has been a member of our Board of Directors since January 2012, and also serves as Chairman of our Audit Committee and a member of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Mr. Pearlman currently serves as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Liberation Investment Group, a New York based investment management and financial consulting firm, which he founded in January 2003. From March 2023 to July 2023, Mr. Pearlman was a member of the Board of Directors of QualTek Services Inc. (NASDAQ:QTEK), a turnkey provider of infrastructure services to North American 5G wireless, telecom, power grid modernization and renewable energy sectors, which became a private company in July 2023. Mr. Pearlman also served as a member of the Special Committee of the Board to review and approve strategic and financial alternatives. In March 2023, Mr. Pearlman also became a member of the Board of Directors of MidCap Financial Investment Corporation (NASDAQ:MFIC), a closed-end externally managed, non-diversified management investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company. Mr. Pearlman also serves on the Audit, Nominating and Corporate Governance, and Compensation Committee of MidCap Financial Investment Corp. In February 2023, Mr. Pearlman became a member of the Board of Directors of Diebold Nixdorf, Inc.(NYSE: DBD), a multinational financial and retail technology company, and serves as a member of its Finance Committee and the People and Compensation Committee. From March 2022 to April 2022, he was a member of the Board of Directors and Chair of the Strategic Review Committee of Red Box Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ:RDBX), an entertainment company that provides consumers access to a large variety of content across digital and physical media. From October 2020 to September 2021, Mr. Pearlman was a member of the Board of Directors of Atlas Crest Investment Corp. (NYSE:ACIC) and during the period February 2021 until June 2022, he served on the Board of Directors of Atlas Crest Investment Corp. II (NYSE:ACII), each entity was a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC). Mr. Pearlman served as Chairman of the Audit Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee and Nomination & Governance Committee of Atlas Crest Investment Corp. until September 2021 and held the same committee positions for Atlas Crest Investment Corp. II until June 2022. Mr. Pearlman served as Executive Chairman of Empire Resorts, Inc. (NASDAQ:NYNY) from June 2016 until November 2019, served as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board from September 2010 through May 2016, and served on the Board of Directors from May 2010 to November 2019. Mr. Pearlman was a member of the Board of Directors of CEVA Logistics, AG (SIX:CEVA) from May 2018 until October 2019 and served on its Audit Committee from May 2018 through October 2019 and its Nomination and Governance Committee from May 2018 through May 2019. We believe Mr. Pearlman’s qualifications to serve on our Board include his significant investment and financial experience and expertise combined with his Board experience. Niv Harizman has been a member of our Board of Directors since December 2012 and serves as Chair of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and a member of our Compensation Committee. Mr. Harizman is a Managing Member of Tyto Capital Partners LLC, a private investment firm specializing in debt and equity investments in middle market companies and special situations, a position he has held since August 2010. Since March 2010, Mr. Harizman has also been the Managing Member of NHK Partners LLC, an entity that makes private investments and provides consulting services. Since November 2013, Mr. Harizman has been affiliated with Riverside Management Group, a merchant banking firm, and BCW Securities LLC, its affiliated broker- dealer. Mr. Harizman previously held senior investment banking positions at Credit Suisse First Boston LLC, Deutsche Bank and BT AlexBrown Incorporated. We believe Mr. Harizman’s qualifications to serve on our Board include his significant investment and financial transactional experience and expertise. -36- Allison Hoffman has been a member of our Board of Directors since December 2012 and serves as Chair of our Compensation Committee and a member of our Audit Committee. Since August 2020, Ms. Hoffman has served as General Counsel of Phreesia, Inc. (NYSE:PHR), a leading provider of software solutions that healthcare organizations use to manage the patient intake process. From January 2016 until August 2020, Ms. Hoffman served as Chief Legal Officer and Chief Administrative Officer at Intersection Parent, Inc., an urban experience company that utilizes technology to make cities better, including bringing free Wi-Fi throughout New York City. We believe that Ms. Hoffman’s qualifications to serve on our Board include her extensive legal background and transactional experience. Committees of the Board of Directors Our Board of Directors currently has four standing committees: an Audit Committee; a Compensation Committee; a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and a Strategic Development Committee. Each of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has a charter. These charters are available on our website at: http://ir.Network-1.com/governance-docs. Each member of each committee is an “independent” director under the standards of the NYSE American LLC Company Guide. Three of our current five directors, Emanuel Pearlman, Allison Hoffman and Niv Harizman, are considered independent directors under Rule 803A(2) of the NYSE American LLC Company Guide. Audit Committee Our Board of Directors has a separately standing audit committee in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 803B of the NYSE American Company LLC Guide consisting of Emanuel Pearlman (Chairman) and Allison Hoffman. Emanuel Pearlman qualifies as an audit committee financial expert under applicable SEC rules. Mr. Pearlman and Ms. Hoffman qualify as “independent” as independence for audit committee members is defined under Rule 10A-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 803B(2) of the NYSE American LLC Company Guide. The Audit Committee is appointed by our Board of Directors to provide assistance to the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibility with respect to, among other things, (i) the integrity of our financial statements, (ii) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) selecting and evaluating the qualifications and independence of our independent registered public accounting firm, (iv) evaluating the performance of our internal audit function and independent registered public accounting firm, and (v) our internal controls and procedures. -37- Compensation Committee The Compensation Committee consists of Allison Hoffman (Chair) and Niv Harizman. The Compensation Committee is appointed by our Board of Directors to assist the Board in carrying out its responsibilities relating to the compensation of our executive officers and directors. The Committee has overall responsibility for evaluating and approving the officer and director compensation plans, policies and our programs. Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Our Board has a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee consisting of Niv Harizman (Chair) and Emanuel Pearlman. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for, among other things, developing and recommending to the Board a set of corporate governance policies for the Company, establishing criteria for selecting new directors, and identifying, screening and recruiting new directors. The Committee also recommends to the Board nominees for directors and recommends directors for committee membership to the Board. Strategic Development Committee We also have a Strategic Development Committee to assist our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer in strategic development and planning of our business relating to identifying potential strategic partners, the acquisition of new IP and other strategic opportunities. The Committee also assists in capital markets related activities. Niv Harizman is the sole member of the Strategic Development Committee. Code of Ethics We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to our executive officers, directors and employees. Copies of the Code of Ethics may be obtained, without charge, upon written request addressed to: Network-1 Technologies, Inc., 65 Locust Avenue, Third Floor, New Canaan, Connecticut 06840, Attn: Chief Executive Officer. Insider Trading Policies and Procedures We have adopted insider trading policies and procedures governing the purchase, sale and/or other disposition of our securities by directors, officers, employees and consultants(who have access to material non-public information) or us, that are reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations, and listing standards applicable to us. Under this policy, all of our officers, employees, non-employee directors and consultants who are in possession of material non- public information are prohibited from trading in the Company’s securities, except for trades made pursuant to plans approved by our compliance officer and counsel in accordance the insider trading policy that are intended to comply with Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act. -38- ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The following table summarizes compensation for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, awarded to, earned by or paid to our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and to each of our executive officers who received total compensation in excess of $100,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023 for services rendered in all capacities to us (collectively, the “Named Executive Officers”). Summary Compensation Table Name and Principal Position Corey M. Horowitz Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Robert Mahan Chief Financial Officer Jonathan Greene Executive Vice President _____________________________ Year 2023 $ 2022 $ Salary ($) 545,572 $ 535,000 $ Bonus ($) Stock Awards($)(3) — 175,000(2) $ 1,102,940 305,000(2) $ All Other Compensation($)(1) Total($) $ $ 53,500(4) $ 904,072 109,675(4) $ 1,922,615 2023 $ 175,000 $ — $ 115,000(5) $ — $ 290,000 2023 $ 2022 $ 200,000 $ 200,000 $ 25,000 25,000 $ $ 33,900 41,100 $ $ 30,409(6) $ 20,419(6) $ 289,309 286,519 (1) We have concluded that the aggregate amount of perquisites and other personal benefits paid in 2023 and 2022 to either Mr. Horowitz, Mr. Mahan or Mr. Greene did not exceed $10,000. (2) Mr. Horowitz received the following cash incentive bonus payments for 2023: (i) an annual discretionary bonus of $175,000 and (ii) incentive bonus compensation of $130,000 pursuant to his employment agreement (see “Employment Agreements – Termination of Employment Agreement and Change in Control Arrangements” below). Mr. Horowitz received for 2022 an annual discretionary bonus of $175,000. (3) The amounts in this column represent the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock unit awards granted to the Named Executive Officers computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. In accordance with SEC rules, the grant date fair value of an award that is subject to a performance condition is based on the probable outcome of the performance condition. See Note B[10] to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report for a discussion of the assumptions made by the Company in determining the grant date fair value. (4) Includes 401(k) matching funds contributions by the Company and profit sharing under the Company's 401(k) Plan for the benefit of Mr. Horowitz of $ 43,500 for 2023 and $40,500 for 2022, respectively. Also includes dividends (dividend equivalent rights) earned or paid upon vesting of restricted stock units owned by Mr. Horowitz in 2023 of $10,000 and $69,175 in 2022. (5) Mr. Mahan became Chief Financial Officer of the Company on December 21, 2022. (6) Includes 401(k) matching funds contributions by the Company and profit sharing under the Company's 401(k) Plan for the benefit of Mr. Greene of $29,659 for 2023 and $20,419 for 2022. Also includes dividend (dividend equivalent rights) earned upon vesting of restricted stock units owned by Mr. Greene in 2023 of $750. -39- Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table Employment Agreements, Termination of Employment and Change-In-Control Arrangements On March 22, 2022, we entered into a new employment agreement (“Agreement”) with Corey M. Horowitz, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to which he continues to serve as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for a four year term (“Term”), at an annual base salary of $535,000 subject to increases of 3% per annum during the Term. The Agreement established an annual target bonus of $175,000 for our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer based upon performance. For the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer received an annual discretionary bonus of $175,000. In addition, pursuant to the Agreement, we granted to our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, under our 2013 Plan, 600,000 restricted stock units (the “RSUs”, each RSU awarded by us to our officers, directors and consultants represents a contingent right to receive one share of our common stock) which terms provided for vesting in four tranches, as follows: (1) 175,000 RSUs vested 100,000 RSUs on March 22, 2023 and 75,000 RSUs will vest on March 22,2024,subject to Mr. Horowitz’s continued employment by us through each such vesting date (the “Employment Condition”) (“Tranche 1”); (2) 150,000 RSUs shall vest if at any time during the Term our common stock achieves a closing price for twenty (20) consecutive trading days (“Closing Price”) of a minimum of $3.50 per share (subject to adjustment for stock splits) and the Employment Condition is satisfied through the date such minimum per share Closing Price is achieved (“Tranche 2”); (3) 150,000 RSUs shall vest if at any time during the Term our common stock achieves a Closing Price of a minimum of $4.00 per share (subject to adjustment for stock splits) and the Employment Condition is satisfied through the date such minimum per share Closing Price is achieved (“Tranche 3”); and (4) 125,000 RSUs shall vest if at any time during the Term, our common stock achieves a Closing Price of a minimum of $4.50 per share (subject to adjustment for stock splits) and the Employment Condition is satisfied through the date such minimum per share Closing Price is achieved (“Tranche 4”). In the event of a Change of Control (as defined), Termination Other Than for Cause (as defined) or a termination by Mr. Horowitz for Good Reason (as defined) in each case prior to the last day of the Term, the vesting of all RSUs (Tranches 1, 2, 3 and 4) shall accelerate (and not be subject to any conditions) and all RSUs shall become immediately fully vested. All RSUs granted by us to our officers, directors or consultants have dividend equivalent rights. Under the terms of the Agreement, so long as Mr. Horowitz continues to serve as an executive officer of the Company, whether pursuant to the Agreement or otherwise, Mr. Horowitz shall also receive incentive compensation in an amount equal to 5% of our gross royalties or other payments from Licensing Activities (as defined) (without deduction of legal fees or any other expenses) with respect to our Remote Power Patent and a 10% net interest (gross royalties and other payments after deduction of all legal fees and litigation expenses related to licensing, enforcement and sale activities, but in no event shall he receive less than 6.25% of the gross recovery) of our royalties and other payments relating to Licensing Activities with respect to patents other than our Remote Power Patent (including all of our existing patent portfolios and our investment in ILiAD) (collectively, the “Incentive Compensation”). During the year ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, Mr. Horowitz earned Incentive Compensation of $130,000 and $-0-, respectively. -40- The Incentive Compensation shall continue to be paid to Mr. Horowitz for the life of each of our patents with respect to licenses entered into with third parties during the Term or at any time thereafter, whether he is employed by us or not; provided, that, the employment of Mr. Horowitz has not been terminated by us “For Cause” (as defined) or terminated by him without “Good Reason” (as defined). In the event of a merger or sale of substantially all of our assets, we have the option to extinguish the right of Mr. Horowitz to receive future Incentive Compensation by payment to him of a lump sum payment, in an amount equal to the fair market value of such future interest as determined by an independent third party expert if the parties do not reach agreement as to such value. In the event that Mr. Horowitz’s employment is terminated by us “Other Than For Cause” (as defined) or by him for “Good Reason” (as defined), Mr. Horowitz shall also be entitled to (i) a lump sum severance payment of 12 months base salary, (ii) a pro-rated portion of the $175,000 target bonus provided bonus criteria have been satisfied on a pro-rated basis through the calendar quarter in which the termination occurs and (iii) accelerated vesting of all unvested options, RSUs or other awards. In connection with the Agreement, Mr. Horowitz has also agreed not to compete with us as follows: (i) during the Term and for a period of 12 months thereafter if his employment is terminated “Other Than For Cause” (as defined) provided he is paid his 12 month base salary severance amount and (ii) for a period of two years from the termination date, if terminated “For Cause” by us or “Without Good Reason” by Mr. Horowitz. Jonathan Greene serves as our Executive Vice President and Secretary on an at-will basis at an annual base salary of $200,000. Mr. Greene received a discretionary annual bonus of $25,000 for each of 2023 and 2022. On January 8, 2024, Mr. Greene was granted 15,000 RSUs under the 2022 Plan, 50% of such RSUs vested on the one year anniversary of the date of grant (January 8, 2025) and 50% of such RSUs vested on the two year anniversary of the grant (January 8, 2026). On January 24, 2023, Mr. Greene was granted 15,000 RSUs under the 2022 Plan, 50% of such RSUs vested on the one year anniversary of the date of grant (January 24, 2023) and 50% of such RSUs vested on the two year anniversary of the grant (January 24, 2024). Robert Mahan serves as our Chief Financial Officer since December 21, 2022 on a consulting basis at an annual compensation of $175,000. On September 8, 2023, Mr. Mahan was granted 50,000 RSUs under the 2022 Plan, 50% of such RSUs vest on the one year anniversary of the grant (September 8, 2024) and 50% of the RSUs vest on the two year anniversary date of grant (September 8, 2025). -41- Profit Sharing 401(k) Plan We offer all employees who have completed a year of service (as defined) participation in a 401(k) retirement savings plan, which provides a tax- advantaged method of saving for retirement. We expensed matching contributions and profit sharing of $73,159 and $78,194 under the 401(k) plan for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Director Compensation In 2023, we compensated each non-management director of our Company by granting to each such outside director 15,000 RSUs. The RSUs vested in equal amounts of 3,750 RSUs on each of March 15, 2023, June 15, 2023, September 15, 2023 and December 15, 2023. In addition, we pay our non- management directors cash director fees of $40,000 per annum ($10,000 per quarter). Non-management directors also receive additional cash compensation on an annual basis for serving on the following Board committees: The Audit Committee Chairperson receives $7,500 and members receive $5,000; the Chairperson and members of each of the Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee receive annual fees of $3,750 and $2,500, respectively. The following table sets forth the compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to all persons who served as members of our Board of Directors (other than our Named Executive Officers) during the year ended December 31, 2023. No director who is also a Named Executive Officer received any compensation for services as a director in 2023. Name Emanuel Pearlman Niv Harizman Allison Hoffman ___________________________ Fees earned or paid in cash ($)(1) $50,000 $46,250 $48,750 Stock Awards ($)(2) (3) $33,750 $33,750 $33,750 All other compensation ($)(4) $ 1,125 $ 1,125 $ 1,125 Total ($) $ 84,875 $ 81,125 $ 83,625 (1) Represents directors’ fees payable in cash to each non-management director of $10,000 per quarter ($40,000 per annum) for 2023 plus additional cash fees for serving on Board committees as disclosed above. (2) (3) (4) The amounts included in this column represent the grant date fair value of restricted stock unit awards (RSUs) granted to directors, computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. For a discussion of valuation assumptions see Note B[10] to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report. The 15,000 RSUs granted to each non-management director vested on a quarterly basis beginning March 15, 2023. Each RSU represents a contingent right to receive one share of common stock. As of December 31, 2023, no stock options were owned by any of the above listed directors. Includes dividends (dividend equivalent rights) earned upon vesting of RSUs in 2023. -42- Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2023 The following table sets forth information relating to outstanding equity awards consisting of unvested restricted stock units for each Named Executive Officer as of December 31, 2023 (there were no outstanding stock options): Option Awards Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options Name Exercisable Unexercisable Corey M. Horowitz Chairman and CEO Robert M. Mahan Chief Financial Officer Jonathan Greene Executive Vice President — — — — — — ________________________________ Option Exercise Price ($) Option Expiration Date — — — — — — Stock Awards Equity incentive plan awards: Number of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not vested Equity incentive plan awards: Market value of unearned shares, units or other rights that have not vested(1) ($) 500,000(2) $1,090,000 50,000(3) 22,500(4) $ 109,000 $ 49,050 (1) (2) (3) (4) In accordance with SEC rules, market value is based on $2.18 per share representing the closing price of our common stock on the last trading day of the year. Represents 500,000 unvested restricted stock units, the terms of the vesting of such restricted stock units are disclosed on page 40 under “Employment Agreements - Termination of Employment and Change-In-Control Arrangements.” Represents 50,000 unvested restricted stock units, of which 25,000 restricted stock units vest on September 8, 2024 and 25,000 restricted stock units vest on September 8, 2025, subject to Mr. Mahan’s continued engagement. Represents 22,500 unvested restricted stock units, of which (i) 7,500 restricted stock units vested on January 18, 2024, (ii) 7,500 restricted stock units vested on January 24, 2024, and (iii) 7,500 restricted stock units will vest on January 24, 2025, subject to Mr. Greene’s continued employment. Policies and Procedures for Equity Grant Awards/ Material Non- Public Information Under our equity award policy, the Compensation Committee generally grants equity awards to our executive officers, directors on an annual basis with the exception of our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer who typically receives awards at the time of renewal of his employment agreement. For a number of years, we have awarded restricted stock units to our executive officers, directors and consultants and have not awarded stock options. In the event that the Compensation Committee were to make awards of stock options in the future, it will take into account material non-public information when determining the timing and terms of such option awards by generally making such awards on an annual basis on a pre-determined schedule. We do not time the disclosure of material non-public information for the purpose of affecting executive compensation. -43- ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of February 15, 2024 for (i) each of our directors, (ii) each of our executive officers, (iii) each person known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding shares of common stock, and (iv) all of our executive officers and directors as a group. NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER Executive Officers and Directors: Corey M. Horowitz(3) CMH Capital Management Corp.(4) Niv Harizman(5) Emanuel Pearlman(6) Jonathan E. Greene(7) Allison Hoffman(8) Robert Mahan(9) All officers and directors as a group (6 Persons) 5% Stockholders: Steven D. Heinemann(10) Goose Hill Capital LLC(11) Clayton Partners LLC(12) _____________________________________ *Less than 1%. AMOUNT AND NATURE OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP (1)(2) PERCENTAGE OF COMMON STOCK BENEFICIALLY OWNED(2) 6,895,942 2,291,372 305,985 132,059 103,597 94,311 — 7,531,894 1,941,696 1,356,563 1,435,200 29.2% 9.7% 1.3% * * * — 32% 8.2% 5.8% 6.1% (1) Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the above table have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of our common stock beneficially owned by them. Unless otherwise indicated the address for each listed beneficial owner is c/o Network-1 Technologies, Inc., 65 Locust Avenue, Third Floor, New Canaan, Connecticut 06840. -44- (2) A person is deemed to be the beneficial owner of shares of common stock that can be acquired by such person within 60 days from February 15, 2024 upon the exercise of stock options, vesting of restricted stock units or the conversion of other convertible securities within such 60 day period. Each beneficial owner's percentage ownership is determined by assuming that all stock options and restricted stock units held by such person (but not those held by any other person) and which are exercisable or vest within 60 days from February 15, 2024 have been exercised or vested. Assumes a base of 23,552,564 shares of our common stock outstanding as of February 15, 2024. (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) Includes (i) 4,007,559 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Horowitz, (ii) 75,000 shares of common stock subject to restricted stock units that vest within 60 days of February 15, 2024 (iii) 2,157,097 shares of common stock held by CMH Capital Management Corp., an entity solely owned by Mr. Horowitz, (iv) 134,275 shares of common stock owned by the CMH Capital Management Corp. Profit Sharing Plan, of which Mr. Horowitz is the trustee, (v) 67,470 shares of common stock owned by Donna Slavitt, the wife of Mr. Horowitz, (vi) an aggregate of 452,250 shares of common stock held by two trusts and a custodian account for the benefit of Mr. Horowitz’s three children, and (vii) 2,291 shares of common stock held by Horowitz Partners, a general partnership of which Mr. Horowitz is a partner. Does not include 425,000 restricted stock units owned by Mr. Horowitz that do not vest within 60 days of February 15,2024. Includes 2,157,097 shares of common stock owned by CMH Capital Management Corp. and 134,275 shares of common stock owned by CMH Capital Management Corp. Profit Sharing Plan. Corey M. Horowitz, by virtue of being the sole officer, director and shareholder of CMH Capital Management Corp. and the trustee of the CMH Capital Management Corp. Profit Sharing Plan, has the sole power to vote and dispose of the shares of common stock owned by CMH Capital Management Corp. and the CMH Capital Management Corp. Profit Sharing Plan. Includes (i) 302,235 shares of common stock and (ii) 3,750 shares of common stock subject to restricted stock units that vest within 60 days of February 15, 2024. Does not include 11,250 shares of common stock subject to restricted stock units owned by Mr. Harizman that do not vest within 60 days from February 15, 2024. Includes (i) 128,309 shares of common stock and (ii) 3,750 shares of common stock subject to restricted stock units that vest within 60 days of February 15,2024. Does not include 11,250 shares of common stock subject to restricted stock units owned by Mr. Pearlman that do not vest within 60 days from February 15, 2024. Includes 103,597 shares of common stock. Does not include 22,500 shares of common stock subject to restricted stock units owned by Mr. Greene that do not vest within 60 days from February 15, 2024. Includes (i) 90,561 shares of common stock and (ii) 3,750 shares of common stock subject to restricted stock units that vest within 60 days of February 15, 2024. Does not include 11,250 shares of common stock subject to restricted stock units owned by Ms. Hoffman that do not vest within 60 days from February 15, 2024. -45- (9) Does not include 50,000 shares of common stock subject to restricted stock units owned by Mr. Mahan that do not vest within 60 days of February 15, 2024. (10) Includes 585,133 shares of common stock owned by Mr. Heinemann and 1,356,563 shares of common stock owned by Goose Hill Capital LLC. Goose Hill Capital LLC is a limited liability company of which Mr. Heinemann is the sole member. Mr. Heinemann, by virtue of being the sole member of Goose Hill Capital LLC, has the sole power to vote and dispose of the shares of common stock owned by Goose Hill Capital LLC. The aforementioned beneficial ownership is based upon Amendment No. 11 to Schedule 13G filed by Mr. Heinemann with the SEC on January 29, 2024. The address for Mr. Heinemann is c/o Goose Hill Capital, LLC, 12378 Indian Road, North Palm Beach, Florida 33408. (11) Includes 1,356,563 shares of common stock. Steven D. Heinemann, by virtue of being the sole member of Goose Hill Capital LLC, has the sole power to vote and dispose of the shares of common stock owned by Goose Hill Capital LLC. The aforementioned beneficial ownership is based upon Amendment No. 11 to Schedule 13G filed by Mr. Heinemann with the SEC on January 29, 2024. The address for Goose Hill Capital LLC is 12378 Indian Road, North Palm Beach, Florida 33408. (12) Includes 1,435,200 shares of common stock owned by Clayton Partners LLC based upon Amendment No.1 Schedule 13G filed by Clayton Partners LLC with the SEC on February 13, 2024. The address for Clayton Partners is 3160 College Avenue, Suite 203, Berkeley, California 94705. ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons The Audit Committee has responsibility for reviewing and approving related-persons transactions in accordance with its charter. A related person is any executive officer, director, nominee for director or more than 5% stockholder of the Company, including immediate family members, and any entity owned or controlled by such persons. In addition, pursuant to our Code of Ethics, all of our officers, directors and employees are to avoid conflicts of interest and to refrain from taking part or exercising influence in any transaction in which such party’s personal interest may conflict with the best interest of the Company. Except for provisions of the Audit Committee Charter, there are no written procedures governing review of related-persons transactions. Director Independence Three of our five directors, Emanuel Pearlman, Niv Harizman and Allison Hoffman, are considered independent directors in compliance with the standard of independence in Section 803A(2) of the NYSE American LLC Company Guide. -46- ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES Audit Fees Marcum LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm as of October 11, 2022, billed us aggregate fees of $156,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023, for the audit of our annual financial statements, review of our financial statements included in our Form 10-Qs and for other services in connection with statutory or regulatory filings. Marcum LLP billed us aggregate fees of $103,200 for the year ended December 31, 2022 for the audit of our financial statements for 2022, review of our financial statements included in our Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and for other services in connection with statutory and regulatory filings. Certain assets of our prior independent registered public accounting firm, Friedman LLP (“Friedman”), were acquired by Marcum LLP effective September 1, 2022. Friedman, our independent registered public accounting firm until October 11, 2022, billed us aggregate fees of $48,832 for the year ended December 31, 2022 for review of our financial statements included in our Form 10-Qs for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and June 30,2022 and for other services in connection with statutory and regulatory filings. Tax Fees and Other Fees Marcum LLP provided various tax and compliance services for which it billed us $2,500 and $30,320 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. Friedman LLP provided various tax and compliance services for which it billed us $3,271 for the year ended December 31, 2022 which included preparation of our tax returns. Marcum LLP and Friedman LLP did not render any other professional services other than those discussed above for 2023 and 2022. Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures Our audit committee charter provides that our audit committee must comply with SEC rules to maintain auditor independence as set forth in Rule 2- 01(c)(7)(i) of Regulation S-X. The Audit Committee has a policy to pre-approve all audit and permissible non-audit services to be provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. All the services above were approved in advance by our Board of Directors. -47- NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB Firm ID 688) Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements PAGE F-1 F-3 F-4 F-5 F-6 F-7 -48- REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Opinion on the Financial Statements We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Network-1 Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Basis for Opinion These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) ("PCAOB") and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. F-1 Critical Audit Matters Critical audit matters are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. We determined that there are no critical audit matters. /s/ Marcum LLP MARCUM LLP We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2014. NEW YORK, NEW YORK MARCH 8, 2024 F-2 NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS December 31, 2023 2022 ASSETS: CURRENT ASSETS: Cash and cash equivalents Marketable securities, at fair value Prepaid taxes Other current assets Total Current Assets OTHER ASSETS: Patents, net of accumulated amortization Equity investment Operating leases right of use asset Security deposits Total Other Assets TOTAL ASSETS LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY: CURRENT LIABILITIES: Accounts payable Income taxes payable Accrued payroll Other accrued expenses Operating lease obligations, current Total Current Liabilities LONG TERM LIABILITIES: Deferred tax liability Operating lease obligation, non-current TOTAL LIABILITIES COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (See Note I) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 10,000,000 shares; none issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 Common stock, $0.01 par value; authorized 50,000,000 shares; 23,553,908 and 23,863,639 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively Additional paid-in capital Accumulated deficit Accumulated other comprehensive loss TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ $ $ $ $ 16,896,000 28,571,000 — 206,000 45,673,000 1,326,000 5,249,000 16,000 13,000 6,604,000 52,277,000 125,000 — 378,000 297,000 23,000 823,000 762,000 — 1,585,000 — 235,000 67,446,000 (16,989,000) — 50,692,000 $ $ $ $ $ 13,448,000 34,991,000 177,000 348,000 48,964,000 1,592,000 7,252,000 161,000 — 9,005,000 57,969,000 507,000 115,000 317,000 587,000 79,000 1,605,000 1,161,000 94,000 2,860,000 — 239,000 66,939,000 (12,055,000) (14,000) 55,109,000 TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY $ 52,277,000 $ 57,969,000 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements F-3 NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS Years Ended December 31, 2023 2022 $ 2,601,000 $ — REVENUE OPERATING EXPENSES: Costs of revenue Professional fees and related costs General and administrative Amortization of patents TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSES OPERATING LOSS OTHER INCOME Interest and dividend income, net Gain on conversion of note Gain on equity method investment Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities Total other income, net INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND SHARE OF NET LOSSES OF EQUITY METHOD INVESTEE INCOME TAXES PROVISION: Current Deferred taxes, net Total income taxes (benefit) expense INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE SHARE OF NET LOSSES OF EQUITY METHOD INVESTEE: SHARE OF NET LOSSES OF EQUITY METHOD INVESTEE NET LOSS Net Loss Per Share: Basic Diluted Weighted average common shares outstanding: Basic Diluted Cash dividends declared per share NET LOSS OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) Net unrealized holding gain (loss) on corporate bonds and notes arising during the year, net of tax COMPREHENSIVE LOSS 874,000 807,000 2,889,000 266,000 4,836,000 (2,235,000) 1,868,000 — — 525,000 2,393,000 158,000 11,000 (399,000) (388,000) 546,000 (2,003,000) (1,457,000) (0.06) (0.06) 23,791,287 23,791,287 0.10 (1,457,000) 14,000 (1,443,000) $ $ $ $ $ $ — 809,000 2,778,000 316,000 3,903,000 (3,903,000) 1,020,000 271,000 3,883,000 (1,351,000) 3,823,000 (80,000) — 607,000 607,000 (687,000) (1,639,000) (2,326,000) (0.10) (0.10) 23,825,917 23,825,917 0.10 (2,326,000) (2,000) (2,328,000) F-4 $ $ $ $ $ $ The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2023 AND 2022 Common Stock Additional Paid-in Capital Shares Amount Additional Paid-in Capital Accumulated Deficit Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) Total Stockholders’ Equity Total Stockholders’ Equity 23,792,212 $ 238,000 $ 66,361,000 $ (6,428,000) $ — — 182,500 500,000 (382,543) (228,530) — — 2,000 5,000 (3,000) (3,000) — 585,000 (2,000) (5,000) (2,418,000) — — — (12,000) $ 60,159,000 (2,418,000) 585,000 — — — — — — — — (352,000) (531,000) — — (355,000) (534,000) — — 23,863,639 $ — — — — — (2,326,000) 239,000 $ 66,939,000 $ (12,055,000) $ — 508,000 (1,000) (2,433,000) — — (2,000) — (2,000) (2,326,000) (14,000) $ 55,109,000 (2,433,000) 508,000 — — — — — — 157,500 (39,099) (428,132) — — — — 1,000 — (5,000) — — 23,553,908 $ 235,000 $ — — — — (83,000) (961,000) — (1,457,000) 67,446,000 $ (16,989,000) — — 14,000 — (83,000) (966,000) 14,000 (1,457,000) — $ 50,692,000 Balance – January 1, 2022 Dividends and dividend equivalents declared Stock-based compensation Vesting of restricted stock units Cashless exercise of stock options Value of shares delivered to pay exercise price and withholding taxes Treasury stock purchased and retired Net unrealized loss on corporate bonds and notes Net loss Balance – December 31, 2022 Dividends and dividend equivalents declared Stock-based compensation Vesting of restricted stock units Value of shares delivered to pay withholding taxes Treasury stock purchased and retired Realized gain on corporate bonds Net loss Balance – December 31, 2023 The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements F-5 NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Years Ended December 31, 2023 2022 $ (1,457,000) $ (2,326,000) CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net loss Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Amortization of patents Stock-based compensation Loss allocated from equity investment Deferred tax (benefit) expense Amortization of right of use asset, net Gain on equity method investment Accrued interest on convertible note Gain on conversion of note Unrealized (gain) loss on marketable securities Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Other current assets Prepaid taxes Accounts payable Income taxes payable Security deposit Operating lease obligations Accrued expenses NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) OPERATING ACTIVITIES CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Sales of marketable securities Purchases of marketable securities Development of patents Equity Investment NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Cash dividends paid Value of shares delivered to fund withholding taxes Repurchases of common stock, inclusive of commissions NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of year CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Cash paid during the years for: Interest Income taxes NON-CASH FINANCING ACTIVITY Accrued dividend rights on restricted stock units Modification of right-of-use asset Conversion of note receivable 266,000 508,000 2,003,000 (399,000) 65,000 — — — (103,000) 142,000 177,000 (382,000) (115,000) (13,000) (70,000) (291,000) 331,000 53,521,000 (46,984,000) — — 6,537,000 (2,371,000) (83,000) (966,000) (3,420,000) 3,448,000 13,448,000 16,896,000 — 65,000 65,000 80,000 — $ $ $ $ $ $ 316,000 585,000 1,639,000 607,000 43,000 (3,883,000) (86,000) (271,000) 880,000 (208,000) (167,000) 48,000 (2,837,000) 13,000 (31,000) 242,000 (5,436,000) 13,156,000 (33,903,000) (524,000) (1,000,000) (22,271,000) (2,453,000) (355,000) (534,000) (3,342,000) (31,049,000) 44,497,000 13,448,000 — 3,004,000 37,000 204,000 1,086,000 F-6 $ $ $ $ $ $ The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. NOTE A – BUSINESS Network-1 Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) is engaged in the development, licensing and protection of its intellectual property assets. The Company presently owns one hundred (100) U.S. patents, fifty-four (54) of such patents have expired, and fifteen (15) foreign patents related to (i) the Cox patent portfolio (the “Cox Patent Portfolio) relating to enabling technology for identifying media content on the Internet and taking further actions to be performed after such identification; (ii) the M2M/IoT patent portfolio (the “M2M/IoT Patent Portfolio”) relating to, among other things, enabling technology for authenticating and using eSIM (embedded Subscriber Identification Module) technology in IoT, Machine-to-Machine, and other mobile devices, including smartphones, tablets and computers, and automobiles; (iii) the HFT patent portfolio (the “HFT Patent Portfolio”) covering certain advanced technologies relating to high frequency trading, which inventions specifically address technological problems associated with speed and latency and provide critical latency gains in trading systems where the difference between success and failure may be measured in nanoseconds; (iv) the Mirror Worlds patent portfolio (the “Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio”) relating to foundational technologies that enable unified search and indexing, displaying and archiving of documents in a computer system; and (v) the remote power patent (the “Remote Power Patent”) covering delivery of Power over Ethernet (PoE) cables for the purpose of remotely powering network devices, such as wireless access ports, IP phones and network based cameras. The Company’s current strategy includes continuing to pursue licensing opportunities for its intellectual property assets. In addition, the Company reviews opportunities to acquire or license additional intellectual property as well as other strategic alternatives. The Company’s patent acquisition and development strategy is to focus on acquiring high quality patents which management believes have the potential to generate significant licensing opportunities as the Company has achieved with respect to its Remote Power Patent and Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio. In addition, the Company may also enter into strategic relationships with third parties to develop, commercialize, license or otherwise monetize their intellectual property. The Company has made equity investments totaling $7,000,000 in ILiAD Biotechnologies, LLC (“ILiAD”), a clinical stage biotechnology company (see Note H hereof). NOTE B – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES [1] Principles of Consolidation The Company’s consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The accompanying financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Mirror Worlds Technologies, LLC and HFT Solutions, LLC. All intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation. [2] Use of Estimates and Assumptions The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management 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 consolidated financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. The estimates and assumptions made in the preparation of the Company’s consolidated financial statements primarily include costs related to the Company’s assertion of litigation, the valuation of the Company’s patent portfolios, stock-based compensation, the recoverability of deferred tax assets and the carrying value of the Company’s equity method investments. Actual results could be materially different from those estimates, upon which the carrying values were based. Certain amounts recorded to reflect the Company’s share of the income or losses of its equity method investee, accounted for under the equity method, are based on estimates and the unaudited results of operations of the equity method investee, and may require adjustment in the future when the audit is complete. The Company reports its share of the results of its equity method investee on a one quarter lag basis. F-7 NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. NOTE B – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) [3] Cash and Cash Equivalents The Company maintains cash deposits in high quality financial institutions insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation ("FDIC"). Accounts at each institution are insured by the FDIC up to $250,000. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had $2,403,000 and $1,715,000, respectively, in excess of the FDIC insured limit. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company had cash equivalents of $15,327,000 and $5,316,000, respectively, that were not insured by the FDIC. The Company considers all highly liquid short-term investments, including certificates of deposit and money market funds, which are purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. [4] Marketable Securities The Company’s marketable securities are comprised of certificates of deposit with an original maturity greater than three months from date of purchase, government securities and fixed income mutual funds. (see Note G hereof). At December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, included in marketable securities, the Company had aggregate certificates of deposit of $6,077,000 and $2,976,000, respectively. The Company’s marketable securities are measured at fair value and are accounted for in accordance with ASU 2016-01. Unrealized holding gains and losses on certificates of deposit, government securities, and fixed income mutual funds are recorded in net realized and unrealized gain (loss) from investments on the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive (loss). Unrealized holding gains and losses, net of the related tax effect, on corporate bonds and notes are excluded from earnings and are reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity until realized. Dividend and interest income are recognized when earned. Realized gains and losses are included in earnings and are derived using the specific identification method for determining the cost of the marketable securities. [5] Revenue Recognition Under ASC 606, revenue is recognized when the Company completes the licensing of its intellectual property to its licensees or enters into a litigation settlement agreement involving any of its expired patents. With respect to licensing its intellectual property or such litigation settlement agreement, revenue is recognized in an amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for licensing its intellectual property or in settlement of the litigation. The Company determines revenue recognition through the following steps: • • • • • identification of the license agreement or litigation settlement agreement; identification of the performance obligations in the license agreement or litigation settlement agreement; determination of the consideration for the license or settlement; allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract; and recognition of revenue when the Company satisfies its performance obligations. Revenue disaggregated by source is as follows: Litigation Settlements Total Revenue See Note K[4] hereof for further discussion of revenue recognized. Years Ended December 31, $ $ 2023 2,601,000 2,601,000 2022 $ $ — — F-8 NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. NOTE B – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) Revenue from the Company’s patent licensing and enforcement business is typically generated from negotiated license agreements or settlement agreements with respect to any of the Company’s expired patents. The timing and amount of revenue recognized from each licensee or such settlement agreement depends upon a variety of factors, including the terms of each agreement and the nature of the obligations of the parties. These agreements may include, but not be limited to, elements related to past infringement liabilities, non-refundable upfront license fees, and ongoing royalties on licensed products sold by the licensee. Generally, in the event of settlement of litigation related to the Company’s assertion of patent infringement involving its intellectual property, defendants will either pay (i) a non-refundable lump sum payment for a non-exclusive fully-paid license, (ii) a non-refundable lump sum payment (license initiation fee) together with an ongoing obligation to pay quarterly or monthly royalties to the Company for the life of the licensed patent, or (iii) a lump sum settlement payment with respect to litigation involving the Company’s expired patents. Fully-paid licenses provide for a non-refundable up-front payment for which the Company has no future obligations or performance requirements, revenue is generally recognized when the Company has obtained the signed license agreement, all performance obligations have been substantially performed, amounts are fixed and determinable, and collectability is reasonably assured. Revenue from fully-paid licenses may consist of one or more installments. The timing and amount of revenue recognized from each licensee depends upon a number of factors including the specific terms of each agreement and the nature of the deliverables and obligations. [6] Equity Method Investments Equity method investments are equity securities in entities the Company does not control but over which it has the ability to exercise significant influence. These investments are accounted for under the equity method of accounting in accordance with ASC 323, Investments — Equity Method and Joint Ventures (see Note H hereof). Equity method investments are measured at cost minus impairment, if any, plus or minus the Company’s share of an investee’s income or loss. The Company’s proportionate share of the income or loss from equity method investments is recognized on a one-quarter lag. When the Company’s carrying value in an equity method investment is reduced to zero, no further losses are recorded in the Company’s financial statements unless the Company guaranteed obligations of the investee company or has committed additional funding. When the investee company subsequently reports income, the Company will not record its share of such income until it equals the amount of its share of losses not previously recognized. Upon a sale of an equity method investment by the Company, the difference between sales proceeds and the carrying amount of the equity investment is recognized in profit or loss. Upon the issuance of securities in an observable price transaction, the Company will account for the share issuance by the equity method investee as if the Company had sold a proportionate share of its investment in the observable price transaction. The Company will record a gain or loss associated with the dilution of its investment to reflect third party investments in the investee and will increase or decrease its basis in the equity method investee accordingly. The gain or loss is recorded within other income or expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss. The Company performed an assessment to determine significance of the equity method investee under the investment, asset and income tests utilizing the 20% threshold. The Company determined that the equity method investee satisfied the income test and has included summarized financial data of the equity method investee in Note H hereof. [7] Patents The Company owns patents that relate to various technologies. The Company capitalizes the costs associated with acquisition, registration and maintenance of its acquired patents and amortizes these assets over their remaining useful lives on a straight-line basis. Any further payments made to maintain or develop the patents would be capitalized and amortized over the balance of the useful life for the patents. F-9 NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. NOTE B – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) [8] Costs of Revenue and Related Costs The Company includes in costs of revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 contingent legal fees payable to patent litigation counsel, any other contractual payments to third parties related to net proceeds from monetization of patents (see Note I[1] hereof) and incentive bonus compensation payable to its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (see Note J[1] hereof). [9] Income Taxes The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (ASC 740), which requires the Company to use the assets and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under the assets and liability method, deferred income taxes are recognized for the tax consequences of temporary (timing) differences by applying enacted statutory tax rates applicable to future years to differences between financial statement carrying amounts and the tax bases of existing assets and liabilities and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards. Under this accounting standard, the effect on deferred income taxes of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recognized if it is more likely than not that some portion, or all, of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. ASC 740-10, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, defines uncertainty in income taxes and the evaluation of a tax position as a two-step process. The first step is to determine whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination, including the resolution of any related appeals or litigation based on the technical merits of that position. The second step is to measure a tax position that meets the more-likely-than- not threshold to determine the amount of benefit to be recognized in the financial statements. A tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50 percent likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Tax positions that previously failed to meet the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold should be recognized in the first subsequent period in which the threshold is met. Previously recognized tax positions that no longer meet the more-likely-than-not criteria should be de-recognized in the first subsequent financial reporting period in which the threshold is no longer met. The Company had no uncertain tax positions as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. U.S. federal, state and local income tax returns prior to 2020 are not subject to examination by any applicable tax authorities, except that tax authorities could challenge returns (only under certain circumstances) for earlier years to the extent they generated loss carry-forwards that are available for those future years. [10] Stock-Based Compensation The Company accounts for its stock-based compensation awards to employees and directors in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, Compensation ― Stock Compensation (“ASC 718”). ASC 718 requires all stock-based compensation to employees, including grants of employee stock options and restricted stock units, to be recognized in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) based on their grant date fair values. Compensation expense related to awards to employees is recognized on a straight-line basis based on the grant date fair value over the associated service period of the award, which is generally the vesting term. The fair value of restricted stock units is determined based on the number of shares underlying the grant and either the quoted market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant for time-based and performance-based awards, or the fair value on the date of grant using the Monte Carlo Simulation model for market-based awards. [11] Earnings Per Share The Company reports earnings per share in accordance with U.S. GAAP, which requires presentation of basic and diluted earnings per share in conjunction with the disclosure of the methodology used in computing such earnings per share. Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing income available to common shareholders by the weighted average common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share takes into account the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts, such as warrants and options to purchase common stock were exercised and shares were issued pursuant to outstanding restricted stock units. Common stock equivalents having an anti-dilutive effect on earnings per share are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share. F-10 NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. NOTE B – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) [12] Fair Value Measurements ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures, defines fair value as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. This topic also establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires classification based on observable and unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. There are three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value: Level 1: Observable inputs such as quoted prices (unadjusted) in an active market for identical assets or liabilities. Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices that are observable, either directly or indirectly. These include quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets and quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active. Level 3: Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity; therefore, the inputs are developed by the Company using estimates and assumptions that the Company expects a market participant would use, including pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, or similar techniques. The carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents and accounts payable, approximates fair value because of the short-term nature of these financial instruments. The Company’s marketable securities are classified within Level 1 because they are valued using quoted market prices in an active market. The Company’s equity method investment is measured on a non-recurring basis and is classified within Level 2 as it is valued using an observable price transaction for similar assets in a market that is not active (see Note B[6] and Note H hereof). [13] Carrying Value, Recoverability and Impairment of Long-Lived Assets An impairment loss shall be recognized only if the carrying amount of a long-lived asset (asset group) is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. The carrying amount of a long-lived asset (asset group) is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use and eventual disposition of the asset (asset group). That assessment shall be based on the carrying amount of the asset (asset group) at the date it is tested for recoverability. An impairment loss shall be measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset (asset group) exceeds its fair value. If an impairment loss is recognized, the adjusted carrying amount of a long-lived asset shall be its new cost basis. For a depreciable long-lived asset, the new cost basis shall be depreciated (amortized) over the remaining useful life of that asset. Restoration of a previously recognized impairment loss is prohibited. At December 31, 2023 and 2022, there was no impairment to the Company’s patents and equity investment. The Company’s equity investment in ILiAD is evaluated on a non-recurring basis for impairment, when and if a triggering event occurs. F-11 NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. NOTE B – SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (CONTINUED) [14] Leases Under ASC 842, the Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception. Right-of-Use (“ROU”) assets and related lease obligations are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of remaining lease payments over the lease term. For this purpose, the Company considers only payments that are fixed and determinable at the time of commencement. As the Company's lease does not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The Company's determined incremental borrowing rate is a hypothetical rate based on its understanding of what the Company's credit rating would be. The ROU asset also includes any lease payments made prior to commencement and is recorded net of any lease incentives received and net of the deferred rent balance on the date of implementation. The Company's lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease and the initial term will be adjusted when it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise such options. As permitted under ASC 842, the Company has elected to not recognize ROU assets and related lease obligations for leases with initial terms of twelve months or less. [15] Dividend Policy Cash dividends are recorded when declared by the Company’s Board of Directors. Common stock dividends are charged against retained earnings when declared or paid (see Note O hereof). [16] New Accounting Standards Current Expected Credit Loss In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13 “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses-Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments”. This guidance replaces the current incurred loss impairment methodology with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. The guidance applies to loans, accounts receivable, trade receivables and other financial assets measured at amortized cost, loan commitments, held-to-maturity debt securities and beneficial interests in securitized financial assets, but the effect on the Company is projected to be limited to held-to-maturity debt securities. The guidance was effective for the year beginning on January 1, 2023, including interim periods within the year. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. Segments In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures. ASU 2023-07 updates reportable segment disclosure requirements primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses. ASU 2023-07 is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and for interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments should be applied retrospectively to all prior periods presented in the financial statements. The Company is currently evaluating ASU 2023-07 to determine its impact on the Company's disclosures, however, the Company does not expect ASU 2023-07 to have a material impact. F-12 NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. NOTE C – PATENTS The Company’s intangible assets at December 31, 2023 include patents with estimated remaining economic useful lives ranging from 10 to 16 years. For all periods presented, all the Company’s patents were subject to amortization. The gross carrying amounts and accumulated amortization related to acquired intangible assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows: Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Patents, net 2023 8,473,000 (7,147,000) 1,326,000 $ $ 2022 8,473,000 (6,881,000) 1,592,000 $ $ Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $266,000 and $316,000, respectively. Future amortization of current intangible assets, net is as follows: For the years ended December 31, 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 Thereafter Total $ $ 120,000 120,000 120,000 119,000 116,000 731,000 1,326,000 The expiration dates for the M2M/IoT Portfolio range from September 2033 to May 2034. The expiration dates within the Company’s HFT Patent Portfolio range from October 31, 2039 to November 1, 2039. All of the patents within the Company’s Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio, Cox Portfolio and the Remote Power Patent have expired. NOTE D – INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE Basic Income (Loss) per share is calculated by dividing the net income (loss) by the weighted average number of outstanding common shares during the period. Diluted per share data included the dilutive effects of restricted stock units. Potentially dilutive shares of 587,500 and 625,000 at December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, consist of restricted stock units. However, as the Company generated a net loss in 2023 and 2022, all potentially dilutive shares were not reflected in diluted net loss per share because the impact of such instruments was anti-dilutive. Computations of basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding are as follows: 2023 2022 Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic 23,791,287 23,825,917 Dilutive effect of restricted stock units — — Weighted-average common shares outstanding – diluted 23,791,287 23,825,917 Restricted stock units excluded from the computation of diluted income per share because the effect of inclusion would have been anti-dilutive 587,500 625,000 F-13 NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. NOTE E – INCOME TAXES Significant components of the income taxes were as follows for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. Current State and local Federal Total Current Tax Expense (Benefit) Deferred State and local Federal Total Deferred Tax Expense Total Income Taxes 2023 2022 $ $ — 11,000 11,000 $ $ (39,000) (360,000) (399,000) — — — 56,000 551,000 607,000 $ (388,000) $ 607,000 Significant components of deferred tax assets (liability) as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 consisted of the following: Deferred tax assets (liability): Net operating loss carryforward Capital loss carryforward Stock options and RSU Tax credit carryforward Other Total deferred tax assets Valuation allowance Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance Deferred Tax Liability(1) Total deferred tax liability _________________________ 2023 2022 $ $ $ 804,000 47,000 27,000 148,000 182,000 1,208,000 (1,208,000) — 2023 (762,000) (762,000) $ $ $ 477,000 331,000 30,000 — — 838,000 (838,000) — 2022 (1,161,000) (1,161,000) (1) Deferred tax liability primarily as a result of a temporary difference related to the Company’s equity method investment. As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s estimated aggregate total net operating loss carryforwards (NOLs) were $3,364,000 for U.S. federal tax purposes with an indefinite life. At December 31, 2023, the Company had deferred tax assets of $1,201,000, which were offset by a valuation allowance of $1,201,000 as it was determined that it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets would not be realized. At December 31, 2023, the Company had a deferred tax liability position of $762,000. F-14 NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. NOTE E – INCOME TAXES (CONTINUED) The reconciliation between the taxes as shown and the amount that would be computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate to the net income before income taxes is as follows: Income tax - statutory rate Permanent differences Change in valuation allowance State Other Total Years Ended December 31, 2023 2022 21.00% (0.19)% (1.98)% 2.46% — 21.29% 21.00% (8.4)% (48.79)% 1.28% (0.43)% (35.34)% On August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (the “IR Act”) was signed into federal law. The IR Act provides for, among other things, a new U.S. federal 1% excise tax on certain repurchases of stock by publicly traded U.S. domestic corporations and certain U.S. domestic subsidiaries of publicly traded foreign corporations occurring on or after January 1, 2023. The excise tax is imposed on the repurchasing corporation itself, not its shareholders from which shares are repurchased. The amount of the excise tax is generally 1% of the fair market value of the shares repurchased at the time of the repurchase. However, for purposes of calculating the excise tax, repurchasing corporations are permitted to net the fair market value of certain new stock issuances against the fair market value of stock repurchases during the same taxable year. In addition, certain exceptions apply to the excise tax. The U.S. Department of Treasury has been given authority to provide regulations and other guidance to carry out and prevent the abuse or avoidance of the excise tax. The excise tax applies in cases where the total value of the stock repurchased during the taxable year exceeds $1,000,000. As the Company did not meet this threshold in 2023, the excise tax is not applicable for the 2023 tax year (see Note M hereof). The personal holding company (“PHC”) rules under the Internal Revenue Code impose a 20% tax on a PHC’s undistributed personal holding company income (“UPHCI”), which means, in general, taxable income subject to certain adjustments. For a corporation to be classified as a PHC, it must satisfy two tests: (i) that more than 50% in value of its outstanding shares must be owned directly or indirectly by five or fewer individuals at any time during the second half of the year (after applying constructive ownership rules to attribute stock owned by entities to their beneficial owners and among certain family members and other related parties) (the “Ownership Test”) and (ii) at least 60% of its adjusted ordinary gross income for a taxable year consists of dividends, interest, royalties, annuities and rents (the “Income Test”). During the second half of 2023, based on available information concerning the Company’s shareholder ownership, the Company did not satisfy the Ownership Test. In addition, the Company did not satisfy the Income Test in 2023. Thus, the Company was not a PHC for 2023. However, the Company may subsequently be determined to be a PHC in 2024 or in future years if it satisfies both the Ownership Test and the Income Test. If the Company were to become a PHC in 2024 or any future year, it would be subject to an additional 20% tax on its UPHCI. In such an event, the Company may issue a special cash dividend to its shareholders in an amount equal to the UPHCI rather than incur the additional 20% tax. NOTE F – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY The Company adopted a new 2022 Stock Incentive Plan, (the “2022 Plan”), approved by its Board of Directors on July 25, 2022 and its stockholders on September 20, 2022. The 2022 Plan provides for the grant of any or all of the following types of awards: (a) stock options, (b) restricted stock, (c) deferred stock, (d) stock appreciation rights, and (e) other stock-based awards including restricted stock units. Awards under the 2022 Plan may be granted singly, in combination, or in tandem. Subject to standard anti-dilution adjustments as provided, the 2022 Plan provides for an aggregate of 2,300,000 shares of the Company’s common stock to be available for distribution. The Company’s Compensation Committee generally has the authority to administer the 2022 Plan, determine participants who will be granted awards, the size and types of awards, the terms and conditions of awards and the form and content of the award agreements representing awards. Awards under the 2022 Plan may be granted to employees, directors and consultants of the Company and its subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2023, there were 2,180,000 shares of common stock available for issuance under the 2022 Plan. F-15 NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. NOTE F – STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (CONTINUED) As of December 31, 2023, there were 75,000 shares of common stock subject to outstanding awards under the 2022 Plan and 512,500 shares of common stock subject to outstanding awards under the Company 2013 Stock Incentive Plan (“2013 Plan”). The Company discontinued issuing awards under its 2013 Plan as a result of the adoption of the 2022 Plan. Restricted Stock Units A summary of restricted stock units granted during the year ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 is as follows (each restricted stock unit represents the contingent right to receive one share of the Company’s common stock): 2023 2022 Number of Shares Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value Number of Shares Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value Balance of restricted stock units outstanding at beginning of year Grants of restricted stock units Vested restricted stock units 625,000 $ 120,000 (157,500) Balance of restricted stock units outstanding at end of year 587,500 $ 1.87 2.27 (2.43) 1.81 12,500 $ 670,000 (57,500) 625,000 $ 3.36 1.92 (2.73) 1.87 Restricted stock unit compensation expense was $508,000 for the year ended December 31, 2023 and $585,000 for the year ended December 31, 2022. The Company has an aggregate of $508,000 of unrecognized restricted stock unit compensation expense as of December 31, 2023 to be expensed over a weighted average period of approximately 2 years. The fair value of restricted stock units is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant for time-based and performance-based awards and fair value at grant date using the Monte Carlo simulation model for market- based awards(see Note B[10] hereof). The key inputs into the Monte Carlo simulation used to value the restricted stock units was a risk free rate of 2.39%, expected term of 4 years, expected volatility of 40% and a stock price of $2.47(see Note B[10] hereof). All of the Company’s issued restricted stock units have dividend equivalent rights. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, there was $99,000 and $37,000 accrued for dividend equivalent rights which were included in other accrued expenses. F-16 NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. NOTE G – MARKETABLE SECURITIES Marketable securities as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 were composed of: Certificates of Deposit Government securities Fixed income mutual funds Total marketable securities Government securities Fixed income mutual funds Certificates of Deposit Corporate bonds and notes Total marketable securities NOTE H – EQUITY INVESTMENT Cost Basis 6,112,000 14,701,000 7,585,000 28,398,000 Cost Basis 20,781,000 11,904,000 3,019,500 192,000 35,896,000 $ $ $ $ $ $ $ $ December 31, 2023 Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses — 127,000 91,000 218,000 $ $ (35,000) (10,000) — (45,000) December 31, 2022 Gross Unrealized Gains Gross Unrealized Losses 67,000 — — — 67,000 $ $ — 915,000 (43,000) (14,000) (972,000) Fair Value 6,077,000 14,818,000 7,676,000 28,571,000 Fair Value 20,848,000 10,989,000 2,976,000 178,000 34,991,000 $ $ $ $ During the period December 2018 through August 2022, the Company made aggregate investments of $7,000,000 in ILiAD, a privately held clinical stage biotechnology company dedicated to the prevention and treatment of human disease caused by Bordetella pertussis. ILiAD is focused on validating its proprietary intranasal vaccine, BPZE1, for the prevention of Pertussis (whooping cough). At December 31, 2023, the Company owned approximately 6.7% of the outstanding units of ILiAD on a non-fully diluted basis and 5.4% of the outstanding units on a fully diluted basis (after giving effect to the exercise of all outstanding options and warrants). In connection with its investment, the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer obtained a seat on ILiAD’s Board of Managers and receives the same compensation for service on the Board of Managers as other non-management Board members. On August 24, 2022, ILiAD completed a private financing of $42,836,000 of its Class D units, of which a multi-national pharmaceutical company invested $30,000,000 (the “Financing”). As part of the Financing, the Company invested $1,000,000.This private financing represented an observable price transaction in accordance with ASC 323 and resulted in dilution in the Company’s ownership in the ILiAD. In accordance with ASC 323-10-40-1, the Company accounted for the dilution as if it had sold a portion of its investment and therefore recorded an unrealized gain of $3,883,000 and a corresponding increase in the carrying value of its investment in ILiAD. The Company determined the new carrying value of its equity investment using an observable transaction price since the Company determined the securities owned by the Company were not materially different than the securities sold by ILiAD in the Financing. The unrealized gain is reflected in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2022. In addition, as part of the Financing, the Company converted its convertible note in the principal amount of $1,000,000 plus accrued interest of $86,000, in accordance with its terms, into equity of ILiAD and has accounted for this investment under the equity method of accounting. The Company recognized a gain on conversion of $271,000 which was recognized in its consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income loss for the year ended December 31, 2022. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded an allocated net loss from its equity method investment in ILiAD of $2,003,000 and $1,639,000, respectively. F-17 NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. NOTE H – EQUITY INVESTMENT (CONTINUED) The difference between the Company’s share of equity in ILiAD’s net assets and the purchase price of the investment is due to an excess amount paid over the book value of the investment of $5,515,000 which is accounted for as equity method goodwill. The Company performed an assessment to determine significance of its equity investee using the investment, asset and income tests. The Company concluded the income test threshold was met for the year ended December 31, 2023. The following table provides certain summarized financial information for the Company’s equity method investee for the periods presented and has been compiled from the equity investee’s financial statement, reported on one quarter lag. As a result of the Company receiving audited financial statements from ILiAD for its year ended December 31, 2022 (See Note B[2] hereof), the table below includes an additional comprehensive loss of $621,000. For the year ended December 31, 2023, with respect to such additional comprehensive loss of ILiAD, the Company recorded an additional allocated net loss of $42,000. Loss from continuing operations Comprehensive loss NOTE I – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES [1] Legal fees: Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2023 2022 $ $ 24,272,000 29,532,000 $ $ 15,246,000 17,913,000 Russ, August & Kabat provides legal services to the Company with respect to its pending patent litigation filed in May 2017 against Meta Platforms, Inc. ( formerly, Facebook, Inc.) in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York relating to several patents within the Company’s Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio (see Note K[2] hereof). The terms of the Company’s agreement with Russ, August & Kabat provide for cash payments on a monthly basis subject to a cap plus a contingency fee ranging between 15% and 24% of the net recovery (after deduction of expenses) depending on the stage of the proceeding in which the result (settlement or judgment) is achieved. The Company is responsible for all expenses incurred with respect to this litigation. Russ, August & Kabat also provides legal services to the Company with respect to its pending patent litigations filed in April 2014 and December 2014 against Google Inc. and YouTube, LLC in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York relating to certain patents within the Cox Patent Portfolio acquired by the Company from Dr. Cox (see Note K[1] hereof). The terms of the Company’s agreement with Russ, August & Kabat provide for legal fees on a full contingency basis ranging from 15% to 30% of the net recovery (after deduction of expenses) depending on the stage of the proceeding in which the result (settlement or judgment) is achieved. The Company is responsible for all expenses incurred with respect to this litigation. Dovel & Luner, LLP (“Dovel”) provided and continues to provide legal services to the Company with respect to its patent litigation related to the Remote Power Patent (See Note K[4] hereof). The terms of the Company’s agreement with Dovel provides ,among other things, for legal fees on a contingency basis ranging from 15% to 40% of the net recovery (after deduction of expenses where applicable) depending on the stage of the proceeding in which the result (settlement or judgement) is achieved. The Company is responsible for a portion of the expenses incurred with respect to this litigation. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company incurred $744,000 of such contingent fees and $88,000 of these fees are payable and reported in accrued expenses as of December 31, 2023. F-18 NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. NOTE I – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED) [2] Patent Acquisitions: On March 25, 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of a new patent portfolio (HFT Patent Portfolio) currently consisting of nine U.S. patents and two pending U.S. patents covering certain advanced technologies relating to high frequency trading, which inventions specifically address technological problems associated with speed and latency and provide critical latency gains in trading systems where the difference between success and failure may be measured in nanoseconds. The Company paid the seller $500,000 at the closing and has an obligation to pay the seller an additional $500,000 in cash and $375,000 of the Company’s common stock (up to a maximum of 375,000 shares) upon achieving certain milestones with respect to the HFT Patent Portfolio. The Company also has an additional obligation to pay the seller 15% of the first $50 million of net proceeds (after deduction of expenses) generated by the patent portfolio and 17.5% of net proceeds greater than $50 million. In connection with the Company’s acquisition of its Cox Patent Portfolio, the Company is obligated to pay Dr. Cox 12.5% of the net proceeds (after deduction of expenses) generated by the Company from licensing, sale or enforcement of the patent portfolio. As of the years ended December 31, 2023, and 2022, no expense was incurred with respect to the Cox Patent Portfolio. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, no amounts were accrued with respect to the Cox Patent Portfolio. As part of the acquisition of the Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio, the Company also entered into an agreement with Recognition Interface, LLC (“Recognition”) pursuant to which Recognition received from the Company an interest in the net proceeds realized from the monetization of the Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio, as follows: (i) 10% of the first $125 million of net proceeds; (ii) 15% of the next $125 million of net proceeds; and (iii) 20% of any portion of the net proceeds in excess of $250 million. Since entering into the agreement with Recognition in May 2013, the Company has paid Recognition an aggregate of $3,127,000 with respect to such net proceeds interest related to the Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio. No such payments were made by the Company to Recognition during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. In connection with the Company’s acquisition of its M2M/IoT Patent Portfolio, the Company is obligated to pay M2M 14% of the first $100 million of net proceeds (after deduction of expenses) and 5% of net proceeds greater than $100 million from Monetization Activities (as defined in the acquisition agreement) related to the M2M/IoT Patent Portfolio. In addition, M2M will be entitled to receive from the Company $250,000 of additional consideration upon the occurrence of certain future events related to the patent portfolio. [3] Savings and investment plan: The Company has a Savings and Investment Plan which allows participants to make contributions by salary reduction pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. The Company also may make discretionary annual matching and profit sharing contributions in amounts determined by the Board of Directors, subject to statutory limits. The 401(k) Plan expense for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 was $73,000 and $78,000, respectively, all of which was accrued as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and is recorded within payroll on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. [4] Leases: The Company has one operating lease for its principal office space in New Canaan, Connecticut that was to expire on April 30, 2025. On September 29, 2023 ,the Company exercised its early termination right under the lease to terminate the lease as of December 31, 2023 which was extended on December 27, 2023 until March 31, 2024. There are no material residual guarantees associated with the Company’s lease and there are no significant restrictions or covenants included in the Company’s lease. The calculated incremental borrowing rate was approximately 4.2%, which was calculated based on the remaining lease term of 3 years as of May 1, 2022. The remaining lease term as of December 31, 2023 was approximately 3 months. There was no sublease rental income for the year ended December 31, 2023, and the Company is not the lessor in any lease arrangement, and there were no related-party lease agreements. F-19 NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. NOTE I – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (CONTINUED) Right-of-use lease assets and related lease obligations for the Company’s operating leases were recorded in the consolidated balance sheet as follows: Operating lease right-of-use assets Operating lease obligations – current Operating lease obligations – non-current Total lease obligations As of December 31, 2023 As of December 31, 2022 $ $ 16,000 23,000 — 23,000 $ $ 161,000 79,000 94,000 173,000 The table below presents certain information related to the Company’s lease costs for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022: Operating lease cost Short-term lease cost Total lease cost For the Year Ended December 31, 2023 68,000 — 68,000 $ $ 2022 48,000 82,000 130,000 $ $ Future lease payments included in the measurement of lease liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2023, were as follows: 2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 Total future minimum lease payments Less imputed interest Total operating lease liability $ $ Operating Leases 23,000 — — — — 23,000 — 23,000 NOTE J – EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS AND OTHER AGREEMENTS [1] On March 22, 2022, the Company entered into an employment agreement (“Agreement”) with its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to which he continues to serve as the Company’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for a four-year term (“Term”), at an annual base salary of $535,000 which shall be increased by 3% per annum during the Term. The Agreement established an annual target bonus of $175,000 for the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer based upon performance. For each of the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer received an annual discretionary bonus of $175,000. F-20 NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. NOTE J – EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS AND OTHER AGREEMENTS (CONTINUED) In addition, pursuant to the Agreement, the Company granted the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, under its 2013 Plan, 600,000 restricted stock units (the “RSUs”, each RSU awarded by the Company to its officers, directors and consultants represents a contingent right to receive one share of the Company’s common stock) which terms provided for vesting in four tranches, as follows: (1) 175,000 RSUs which vested 100,000 RSUs on March 22, 2023 and 75,000 RSUs will vest on March 22, 2024, subject to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer’s continued employment by the Company through each such vesting date (the “Employment Condition”) (“Tranche 1”); (2) 150,000 RSUs shall vest if at any time during the Term that the Company’s common stock achieves a closing price for twenty (20) consecutive trading days (“Closing Price”) of a minimum of $3.50 per share (subject to adjustment for stock splits) and the Employment Condition is satisfied through the date such minimum per share Closing Price is achieved (“Tranche 2”); (3) 150,000 RSUs shall vest if at any time during the Term that the common stock achieves a Closing Price of a minimum of $4.00 per share (subject to adjustment for stock splits) and the Employment Condition is satisfied through the date such minimum per share Closing Price is achieved (“Tranche 3”); and (4) 125,000 RSUs shall vest if at any time during the Term, that the common stock achieves a Closing Price of a minimum of $4.50 per share (subject to adjustment for stock splits) and the Employment Condition is satisfied through the date such minimum per share Closing Price is achieved (“Tranche 4”). In the event of a Change of Control (as defined), Termination Other Than for Cause (as defined) or a termination by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for Good Reason (as defined) in each case prior to the last day of the Term, the vesting of all RSUs (Tranches 1, 2, 3 and 4) shall accelerate (and not be subject to any conditions) and all RSUs shall become immediately fully vested. All RSUs granted by the Company to its officers, directors or consultants have dividend equivalent rights. Under the terms of the Agreement, so long as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer continues to serve as an executive officer of the Company, whether pursuant to the Agreement or otherwise, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer shall also receive incentive compensation in an amount equal to 5% of the Company’s gross royalties or other payments from Licensing Activities (as defined) (without deduction of legal fees or any other expenses) with respect to the Remote Power Patent and a 10% net interest (gross royalties and other payments after deduction of all legal fees and litigation expenses related to licensing, enforcement and sale activities, but in no event shall he receive less than 6.25% of the gross recovery) of the Company’s royalties and other payments relating to Licensing Activities with respect to patents other than the Remote Power Patent (including all of the Company’s patent portfolios and its investment in ILiAD) (collectively, the “Incentive Compensation”). During the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer earned Incentive Compensation of $130,000 and $-0-, respectively. The Incentive Compensation shall continue to be paid to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for the life of each of the Company’s patents with respect to licenses entered into with third parties during the term of his employment or at any time thereafter, whether he is employed by the Company or not; provided, that, the employment of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer has not been terminated by the Company “For Cause” (as defined) or terminated by him without “Good Reason” (as defined). In the event of a merger or sale of substantially all of the Company’s assets, the Company has the option to extinguish the right of the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer to receive future Incentive Compensation by payment to him of a lump sum payment, in an amount equal to the fair market value of such future interest as determined by an independent third party expert if the parties do not reach agreement as to such value. In the event that the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer’s employment is terminated by the Company “Other Than For Cause” (as defined) or by him for “Good Reason” (as defined), the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer shall also be entitled to (i) a lump sum severance payment of 12 months base salary, (ii) a pro-rated portion of the $175,000 target bonus provided bonus criteria have been satisfied on a pro- rated basis through the calendar quarter in which the termination occurs and (iii) accelerated vesting of all unvested stock options, RSUs or other awards. In connection with the Agreement, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer has also agreed not to compete with the Company as follows: (i) during the Term of the Agreement and for a period of 12 months thereafter if his employment is terminated “Other Than For Cause” (as defined) provided he is paid his 12 months base salary severance amount and (ii) for a period of two years from the termination date, if terminated “For Cause” by the Company or “Without Good Reason” by the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. F-21 NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. NOTE J – EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS AND OTHER AGREEMENTS (CONTINUED) [2] The Company’s Executive Vice President serves on an at-will basis at an annual base salary of $200,000. The Executive Vice President received a discretionary annual bonus of $25,000 and for each of the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. On January 8, 2024, the Company’s Executive Vice President was granted 15,000 RSUs under the 2022 Plan, 50% of such RSUs vest on the one year anniversary of the date of grant (January 8, 2025) and 50% of such RSUs vest on the two year anniversary of the grant (January 8, 2026), subject to continued employment. On January 24, 2023, the Company’s Executive Vice President was granted 15,000 RSUs under the 2022 Plan, 50% of such RSUs vested on the one year anniversary of the date of grant (January 24, 2024) and 50% of such RSUs will vest on the two year anniversary of the date of grant (January 24, 2025), subject to continued employment. [3] In December 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors elected a new Chief Financial Officer who serves on a consulting basis at an annual base salary of $175,000. On September 8, 2023, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer was granted 50,000 RSUs under the 2022 Plan, 50% of such RSUs vest on the one year anniversary date of the grant (September 8, 2024) and 50% of such RSUs vest on the two year anniversary of the date of the grant (September 8, 2025), subject to continued services. NOTE K – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS [1] On April 4, 2014 and December 3, 2014, the Company initiated litigation against Google Inc. (“Google”) and YouTube, LLC (“YouTube”) in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York for infringement of several of its patents within its Cox Patent Portfolio acquired from Dr. Cox which relate to the identification of media content on the Internet. The lawsuit alleges that Google and YouTube have infringed and continue to infringe certain of the Company’s patents by making, using, selling and offering to sell unlicensed systems and related products and services, which include YouTube’s Content ID system. The litigations against Google and YouTube were subject to court ordered stays which were in effect from July 2, 2015 until January 2, 2019 as a result of proceedings at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) and the appeals of PTAB Final Written Decisions to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. Pursuant to a Joint Stipulation and Order Regarding Lifting of Stays, entered on January 2, 2019, the parties agreed, among other things, that the stays with respect to the litigations were lifted. In January 2019, the two litigations against Google and YouTube were consolidated. Discovery is complete and the parties have each submitted summary judgment motions which remain pending. A trial date has not been set. [2] On May 9, 2017, Mirror Worlds Technologies, LLC, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, initiated litigation against Facebook, Inc. (“now Meta Platforms, Inc. (“Meta”)) in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, for infringement of U.S. Patent No. 6,006,227, U.S. Patent No. 7,865,538 and U.S. Patent No. 8,255,439 (among the patents within the Company’s Mirror Worlds Patent Portfolio). The lawsuit alleged that the asserted patents are infringed by Meta’s core technologies that enable Meta’s Newsfeed and Timeline features. On August 11, 2018, the Court issued an order granting Meta’s motion for summary judgment of non-infringement and dismissed the case. On August 17, 2018, the Company filed a Notice of Appeal to appeal the summary judgment decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. On January 23, 2020, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled in the Company’s favor and reversed the summary judgment finding on non-infringement of the District Court and remanded the litigation to the Southern District of New York for further proceedings. F-22 NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. NOTE K – LEGAL PROCEEDINGS (CONTINUED) On March 7, 2022, the District Court entered a ruling granting in part and denying in part a motion for summary judgment by Meta. In its ruling the Court (i) denied Meta’s motion that the asserted patents were invalid by concluding that all asserted claims were patent eligible under §101 of the Patent Act and (ii) granted summary judgment of non-infringement in favor of Meta and dismissed the case. The Company strongly disagrees with the decision on non-infringement and on April 4, 2022, the Company filed an appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, which is pending. [3] On December 15, 2020, the Company filed a lawsuit against Netgear, Inc. (“Netgear”) in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, for breach of a Settlement and License Agreement, dated May 22, 2009 (the “License Agreement”), with the Company for failure to make royalty payments, and provide corresponding royalty reports, to the Company based on sales of Netgear’s PoE products. On October 22, 2021, Netgear filed a Demand for Arbitration at the American Arbitration Association (AAA) seeking to arbitrate certain issues raised in the litigation. The Company objected to jurisdiction at the AAA. On April 22, 2022, Netgear filed a counterclaim in the N.Y. court action alleging that the Company breached the License Agreement by not offering Netgear lower royalties. On September 22, 2022, the arbitration brought by Netgear was dismissed by the AAA on jurisdiction grounds. The case remained pending in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York. On August 27, 2023,the Court granted Netgear’s cross- motion for summary judgment and dismissed the Company’s claims and also denied the Company’s summary judgment motion with respect to Netgear’s counterclaim for breach of the license agreement. The Company appealed the decision. On February 20, 2024, the Appellate Division, First Department, upheld the lower court ruling dismissing the Company’s complaint and granted the Company’s motion to dismiss Netgear’s counterclaim for breach of the most favored license provision concerning two licensees, but said there was a triable issue of fact as to a third licensee. As of December 31, 2023, the Company did not accrue for any liability related to the counterclaim. [4] In October and November 2022, the Company initiated nine separate litigation against ten defendants for infringement of its Remote Power Patent seeking monetary damages based upon reasonable royalties, as follows: (i) On October 6, 2022, the Company initiated such litigation against Arista Networks, Inc., Fortinet, Inc., Honeywell International Inc. and Ubiquiti Inc. in the United States District Court, District of Delaware; (ii) On October 27, 2022, and November 3, 2022, the Company initiated such litigation against TP-Link USA Corporation and Hikvision USA, Inc. in the United States District Court for the Central District of California; (iii) On November 4, 2022, the Company initiated such litigation against Panasonic Holdings Corporation and Panasonic Corporation of North America in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas (Marshall Division); and (iv) On November 8, 2022 and November 16, 2022, the Company initiated such litigation against Antaira Technologies, LLC and Dahua Technology USA in the United States District Court for the Central District of California. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company entered into settlement agreements with Arista Networks, Inc, Antaira Technologies, LLC, Panasonic Holdings Corporation, TP-Link USA Corporation, Hikvision USA Inc., Fortinet Inc., and Dahua Technology USA resulting in aggregate settlements paid and recognized as revenue of $2,601,000 and a conditional payment of $150,000 which has not yet been recognized as revenue because the terms of the conditional payment have not been satisfied. The above referenced litigations against Ubiquiti Inc. and Honeywell International Inc. remain pending. NOTE L – CONCENTRATIONS Revenue from the Company’s Remote Power Patent constituted 100% of the Company’s revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023, of which four parties constitute an aggregate of 90% of the Company’s revenue for such year. The Company had no revenue for the year ended December 31, 2022. NOTE M – STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM On June 14, 2023, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an extension and increase of the Share Repurchase Program to repurchase up to $5,000,000 of the Company’s common stock over the subsequent 24-month period. The common stock may be repurchased from time to time in open market transactions or privately negotiated transactions in the Company’s discretion. The timing and amount of the shares repurchased are determined by management based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors. The repurchase program may be increased, suspended or discontinued at any time. During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company repurchased an aggregate of 428,132 shares of its common stock pursuant to the Share Repurchase Program at a cost of approximately $955,000 (exclusive of commissions) or an average price per share of $2.23. F-23 NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. NOTE M – STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM (CONTINUED) Since inception of the Share Repurchase Program (August 2011) through December 31, 2023, the Company has repurchased an aggregate of 9,532,982 shares of its common stock at a cost of approximately $18,713,000 (exclusive of commissions) or an average per share price of $1.94. On December 27, 2023, the Company entered into a written trading plan (the “10b5-1 Plan”) under Rule 10b5-1 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”). Adopting a trading plan that satisfies the conditions of Rule 10b5-1 allows a company to repurchase its shares at times when it might otherwise be prevented from doing so due to self-imposed trading black-outs or pursuant to insider trading laws. Purchases under the 10b5-1 Plan may be made during the following periods: (1) beginning on January 9,2024 until two trading days after the Company issues a press release announcing its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2023, and (2) beginning on April 1, 2024 until two trading days after the Company issues a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2024. Under the 10b5-1 Plan, the Company’s third party broker may purchase up to 1,0000,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, subject to certain price, market, volume and timing constraints, in accordance with the terms of the plan and subject to Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act. NOTE N – DIVIDEND POLICY The Company’s dividend policy consists of a semi-annual cash dividend of $0.05 per common share ($0.10 per common share annually) which have been paid in March and September of each year. On March 3, 2023, the Board of Directors declared a semi-annual cash dividend of $0.05 per share with a payment date of March 31, 2023 to all common shareholders of record as of March 15, 2023. On September 8, 2023, the Board of Directors declared a semi-annual dividend of $0.05 per share with a payment date of September 29, 2023 to all common shareholders of record as of September 19, 2023. The Company’s dividend policy undergoes a periodic review by the Board of Directors and is subject to change at any time depending upon the Company’s earnings, financial requirements and other factors. NOTE O – SUBSEQUENT EVENTS [1] On February 23, 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a semi-annual cash dividend of $0.05 per share with a payment date of March 29, 2024 to all common shareholders of record as of March 15, 2024. [2] On February 23, 2024, the Company’s Board of Directors approved the grant of 15,000 RSUs to each of the Company’s three non-management directors. The RSUs vest over a one year period in equal quarterly installments of 3,750 shares of common stock on each of March 15, 2024, June 15, 2024, September 15, 2024 and December 15, 2024. F-24 ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES (a)(1) Financial Statements: PART IV The following are included under Item 8 “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data”: Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 Consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive loss for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 Consolidated statements of changes in stockholders' equity for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 Consolidated statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 Notes to consolidated financial statements (a)(2) Financial Statements Schedules: Financial statement schedules are omitted because the information is not applicable. (a)(3) Exhibits: 3(i)(a) Certificate of Incorporation, as amended. Previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form SB-2 (Registration No. 333-59617), declared effective by the SEC on November 12, 1998 (the “1998 Registration Statement”), and incorporated herein by reference. 3(i)(b) Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation dated November 27, 2001. Previously filed as Exhibit 3.1.1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-81344) declared effective by the SEC on February 12, 2002, and incorporated herein by reference (the “February 2002 Form S-3”) 3(i)(c) Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation dated October 9, 2013. Previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 10, 2013, and incorporated herein by reference. 3(ii) 4.1 Second Amended and Restated By-laws. Previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2016 filed on November 14, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference. Description of Common Stock. Previously filed under the header “Common Stock” under the section captioned “Description of Securities” in the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1A (File No. 333-190719) filed on September 30, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference. 10.2+ Employment Agreement, dated July 14, 2016, between the Company and Corey M. Horowitz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 19, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference. -48- 10.3+ 10.4+ 10.5+ 10.6 14 Employment Agreement, dated March 22, 2022, between the Company and Corey M. Horowitz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 28, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference. 2013 Stock Incentive Plan. Previously filed as Appendix B to the Company’s Schedule 14A (Proxy Statement) filed on August 20, 2013 and incorporated herein by reference. 2022 Stock Incentive Plan Previously filed as Exhibit A to the Company's Schedule 14A (Proxy Statement) filed on July 27, 2022 and incorporated herein by reference. Form of Indemnification Agreement for directors and officers. Previously filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 13, 2019 and incorporated herein by reference. Code of Ethics. Previously filed as Exhibit 14 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-KSB for the year ended December 31, 2004 filed on April 14, 2004 and incorporated herein by reference. 19* Insider Trading Policies and Procedures. 21.1* List of Subsidiaries of Registrant. 23.1* Consent of Marcum LLP, independent registered public accounting firm. 31.1* Section 302 Certification of Chief Executive Officer. 31.2* Section 302 Certification of Chief Financial Officer. 32.1* Section 906 Certification of Chief Executive Officer. 32.2* Section 906 Certification of Chief Financial Officer. 97.* Compensation Recovery Policy 101* Interactive data files: * 101.INS XBRL Instance Document. 101.SCH XBRL Scheme Document. 101.CAL XBRL Calculation Linkbase Document. 101.DEF XBRL Definition Linkbase Document. 101.LAB XBRL Label Linkbase Document. 101.PRE XBRL Presentation Linkbase Document _____________________ * Filed herewith + Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement -49- 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 NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. By /s/ Corey M. Horowitz Corey M. Horowitz Chairman and Chief Executive Officer March 8, 2024 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 and on the dates indicated: NAME TITLE DATE /s/ Corey M. Horowitz Corey M. Horowitz /s/ Robert Mahan Robert Mahan /s/ Jonathan Greene Jonathan Greene /s/ Emanuel Pearlman Emanuel Pearlman /s/ Niv Harizman Niv Harizman /s/ Allison Hoffman Allison Hoffman Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Chairman of the Board of Directors (principal executive officer) March 8, 2024 Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer and principal accounting officer) March 8, 2024 Executive Vice President, Secretary and a Director March 8, 2024 Director Director Director March 8, 2024 March 8, 2024 March 8, 2024 -50- EXHIBIT 19 NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. INSIDER TRADING POLICY 1. INTRODUCTION "Insider trading" refers generally to buying or selling a security, in breach of a fiduciary duty or other relationship of trust and confidence, while in possession of material, nonpublic information about the security. Insider trading violations may also include "tipping" such information, securities trading by the person "tipped," and securities trading by those who misappropriate such information. The scope of insider trading violations can be wide reaching. The Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") has brought insider trading cases against corporate officers, directors, and employees who traded the company’s securities after learning of significant, confidential corporate developments; friends, business associates, family members, and other "tippees" of such officers, directors, and employees who traded the securities after receiving such information; employees of law, banking, brokerage, and printing firms who were given such information in order to provide services to the company whose securities they traded; government employees who learned of such information because of their employment by the government; and other persons who misappropriated, and took advantage of, confidential information from their employers. Consequently, an "insider" can include officers, directors, major stockholders, employees, and consultants of an entity whose securities are publicly traded. In general, an insider must not trade for personal gain in the securities of that entity if that person possesses material, nonpublic information about the entity. In addition, an insider who is aware of material, nonpublic information must not disclose such information to family, friends, business or social acquaintances, employees or consultants of the entity (unless such employees or consultants have a position within the entity giving them a clear right and need to know), and other third parties. An insider is responsible for assuring that his or her family members comply with insider trading laws. An insider may make trades in the market or discuss material information only after the material information has been made public. If securities transactions by insiders ever become the subject of scrutiny, they are likely to be viewed after-the-fact with the benefit of hindsight. As a result before engaging in any transaction an insider should carefully consider how his or her transaction may be construed in the bright light of hindsight. In the event of any questions or uncertainties about this Policy, please consult with Sam Schwartz, Esq. of Samuel I. Schwartz, P.C., counsel to the Company (“Counsel”). 1 2. PENALTIES; SANCTIONS General. Violation of the prohibition on insider trading can result in a prison sentence and civil and criminal fines for the individuals who commit the violation, and civil and criminal fines for the entities that commit the violation. Network-1 Technologies, Inc. (the "Company") can be subject to a civil monetary penalty even if the directors, officers or employees who committed the violation concealed their activities from the Company. Criminal Penalties. The maximum prison sentence for an insider trading violation is now 20 years. The maximum criminal fine for individuals is now $5,000,000, and the maximum fine for non-natural persons (such as an entity whose securities are publicly traded) is now $25,000,000. Civil Sanctions. Persons who violate insider trading laws may become subject to an injunction and may be forced to disgorge any profits gained or losses avoided. The civil penalty for a violator may be an amount up to three times the profit gained or loss avoided as a result of the insider trading violation. The Company (as well as other natural or non-natural persons who are deemed to be controlling persons of the violator) faces a civil penalty not to exceed the greater of $1,000,000 or three times the profit gained or loss avoided as a result of the violation if the Company knew or recklessly disregarded the fact that the controlled person was likely to engage in the acts constituting the insider trading violation and failed to take appropriate steps to prevent the acts before they occurred. In addition, persons who traded contemporaneously with, and on the other side of, the insider trading violator may sue the violator and the controlling persons of the violator to recover the profit gained or loss avoided by the violator. SEC Monetary Awards/Whistleblowers. The SEC is offering monetary awards to persons who provide information leading to the imposition of a civil penalty from an SEC enforcement action in which in excess of $1.0 million in sanctions is ordered. 3. POLICY STATEMENT Illegal insider trading is against the policy of the Company. Such trading can cause significant harm to the reputation for integrity and ethical conduct of the Company. Individuals who fail to comply with the requirements of this Insider Trading Policy are subject to disciplinary action at the sole discretion of the Company, including dismissal for cause. 2 4. WHO IS SUBJECT TO THIS POLICY? This Policy applies to all: • Members of the Company’s Board of Directors; • • • • • Officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries; Consultants to the Company and its subsidiaries who have access to material nonpublic information (“Consultants”); Immediate family members (i.e. spouses, siblings, parents, children, stepchildren and in-laws) of directors, officers, employees and Consultants (“Family Members”); People living in the same residence as any director, officer, employee or Consultant, regardless of relationship (“Co-Habitants”); and Persons or entities controlled by a director, officer, employee or Consultant, including corporations, partnerships or trusts (“Controlled Parties”). All of the aforementioned are referred to herein as “Insiders”. It is important to understand that you are responsible for violations of this Policy by your Family Members, Co-Habitants and Controlled Parties. You are responsible for ensuring that they are aware of the provisions of this Policy and the need to confer with you before trading in any Company securities. 5. WHAT SECURITIES ARE COVERED BY THIS POLICY? This Policy applies to any of the Company’s securities, including but not limited to, common stock, preferred stock, stock options, warrants, convertible debentures and derivative securities such as exchange-traded put or call options or swaps (collectively. “Securities”). This Policy also applies to the Securities of any other company about which you have obtained material nonpublic information in the course of performing work for the Company. 6. WHAT TRANSACTIONS ARE RESTRICTED BY THIS POLICY? No director, officer, employee or Consultant of the Company (or their Family Members, Co-Habitants or Controlled Parties) who is aware of material nonpublic information related to the Company may, directly or indirectly: 1. Engage in transactions in the Company’s Securities (whether for their own account or for the account of another); 2. Recommend that another person engage in transactions in the Company’s Securities (sometimes known as “tipping”); 3 3. Disclose material nonpublic information to anyone who does not have a legitimate business reason for receiving such information (and then, such disclosure may only be made pursuant to the Company’s policies regarding the disclosure of confidential information); or 4. Assist anyone in engaging in the above activities. In addition, no person who becomes aware of material nonpublic information about another company in the course of performing work for the Company may engage in any of the activities listed above with respect to the securities of such other company. Certain individuals may, from time to time, be subject to additional restrictions. These restrictions are described below under the headings “Blackout Periods and Trading Windows”. In addition, certain speculative transactions are discouraged or prohibited due to their increased risk for abuse or the potential appearance of improper conduct. A discussion of these types of transactions can be found below under the heading “Special and Prohibited Transactions.” The only exceptions to this Policy are those specifically described below. If you have any questions about whether a proposed transaction is subject to, or permitted under, the Policy, please contact Counsel. 7. WHAT IS MATERIAL NONPUBLIC INFORMATION? Information is considered “material” if a reasonable investor would consider that information important in making a decision to buy, hold or sell securities. Any information that could be expected to affect the Company’s stock price, whether it is positive or negative, should be considered material. There is no easy test for determining materiality – the analysis is based on an assessment of all of the relevant facts and circumstances, and is often evaluated by enforcement authorities with the benefit of hindsight. Questions concerning whether nonpublic information is material can be directed to Counsel. While it is not possible to define all categories of material information, some examples of information that generally may be regarded as material are: • • • • • Developments in legal proceedings involving the Company; A pending or proposed acquisition or disposition of patents by the Company; A pending or proposed merger, acquisition, joint venture or tender offer; A Company restructuring; A change in dividend policy, the declaration of a stock split, or an offering of additional securities; • Major financings or borrowings; • A notification that the auditor’s reports may no longer be relied upon; 4 • • Changes in accounting methods and write-offs; and Any substantial change in industry circumstances or competitive conditions that could significantly affect the Company’s or another company’s earnings or future. Trading based on or disclosing material information is only prohibited when such information has not been widely disseminated to the public. Information generally will be considered to have been widely disseminated if it has been disclosed through a press release, national news service or newspaper or through a public filing with the SEC, for example, on Form 8-K, Form 10-K or Form 10-Q. There are two important points to consider when determining whether information has been made public. First, information will not be considered public merely because it is available to the general public. The mere fact that information is posted on the Company’s website may not be sufficient to determine that such information is “public” unless the information is also widely disseminated via one of the methods discussed above. Second, the investing public must have had time to absorb the information before it is considered to be widely disseminated. Generally, this means that information will not be considered public until the second business day after it is announced. You should be particularly careful not to engage in activities that may result in the inadvertent disclosure of material nonpublic information. This could include speaking with members of the press about Company activities (unless specifically authorized to do so) or participating in industry conferences where the Company, its business or stock are being discussed. If you believe that you may have disclosed material nonpublic information you should contact Counsel immediately to determine the best course of corrective action. 8. BLACKOUT PERIODS AND TRADING WINDOWS We refer to the periods when the trading window is closed as “blackout periods”. Unless specifically authorized by Counsel, Insiders (and their Family Members, Co- Habitants and Controlled Parties) are not permitted to trade in Company Securities during blackout periods. Regular quarterly blackout periods will begin on the first day of the month following the end of each fiscal quarter and end two trading days after the release of the Company’s quarterly or annual financial results. Counsel may shorten or extend the regular black-out period depending on circumstances. In connection with other significant events (such as a litigation settlement), Counsel may determine that it is appropriate to impose additional blackout periods, or to extend the regular quarterly blackout periods with respect to some or all of the persons designated as Insiders. Additionally, during any period in which the Company has announced, but has not yet completed, a strategic transaction (such as a merger, a purchase or sale of material assets or other similar events) designated Insiders will be prohibited from engaging in transactions with respect to the Securities of the other party or parties to the strategic transaction. Prior to the beginning of any additional blackout period, all Insiders who are restricted during such period will be notified via email of the expected duration of the blackout period. Please remember that, while the Company will attempt to provide you with advance notice of the beginning of a 5 blackout period, it may be necessary to impose a blackout period on very short notice and the Company reserves the right to do so at anytime. The existence of a blackout period should be treated as confidential information of the Company and should not be disclosed, except as necessary to comply with this Policy. It shall be noted that even during a trading window any person possessing material nonpublic information should not engage in transactions in the Company’s securities until the second trading day following the date of public disclosure of such material nonpublic information whether or not the Company has recommended a suspension of trading to that person. In addition to the other restrictions set forth in this Policy, no member of the Company’s Board of Directors nor any officer required to file Forms 3 or 4 pursuant to Section 16 of the Exchange Act (each, a “Section 16 Person”) (including such person’s Family Members, Co-Habitants and Controlled Parties) may engage in any transaction involving Company Securities without first obtaining pre-clearance from Counsel unless such transaction is pursuant to a pre-approved Trading Plan (as defined below). A request for pre-clearance should be submitted to Counsel in writing at least two (2) business days in advance of the proposed transaction. Counsel is under no obligation to approve a proposed transaction. If pre-clearance is denied, the Section 16 Person must not initiate any transaction in Company Securities and may not disclose the denial of such pre-clearance. If pre-clearance is approved, the Section 16 Person must execute the transaction in form and content acceptable to Counsel and must complete the proposed transaction within 5 trading days after receiving approval (subject to no new black-out being imposed during such 5 trading day period). This pre-clearance requirement applies to all transactions by Section 16 Persons except for transactions executed pursuant to an approved Trading Plan. 9. EXCEPTIONS TO THE POLICY The follow transactions are exempt from the restrictions of this Policy: Option Exercises The exercise of your Company stock options (either by cash or on a net exercise basis) is not subject to the restrictions set forth in this Policy, where no Company stock is sold in the market to fund the option exercise. However, the sale of any shares acquired pursuant to an option exercise, including the sale of any shares that would be required in connection with a broker-assisted cashless exercise, are subject to the restriction set forth in this Policy. Gifts of Securities Gifts of Company Securities are not subject to the restrictions set forth in this Policy. Approved 10b5-1 Trading Plans Rule 10b5-1 of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), provides a defense against insider trading liability for persons who have entered into a trading plan which meets certain requirements (a “Trading Plan”). Generally, a Trading Plan must be a binding contract to 6 purchase or sell securities, must be entered into when you are not aware of any material nonpublic information and, if you are an Insider, during an open trading window) and must either (i) specify the amount, price and date of the transaction, (ii) provide a formula or other objective criteria for determining the amount, price and date of the transactions, or (iii) delegate discretion of these matters to an independent third party. Any modification or termination of an existing Trading Plan is also subject to the requirements described above. Any Insider who wishes to enter into, modify or terminate a Trading Plan is required to submit the Trading Plan (or the amendment or termination) to Counsel for approval. While the Company will review a Trading Plan for compliance with this Policy, approval of such Trading Plan does not constitute legal advice and does not relieve you from ensuring that any transactions entered into under the Trading Plan fully comply with any and all securities laws. Frequent amendment or entry into and then terminating multiple Trading Plans is discouraged, as it can be perceived as a method to circumvent the restrictions of this Policy and the securities laws. Instead, amendment to or termination of Trading Plans should be done to address your legitimate liquidity and other financial needs. 10. SPECIAL AND PROHIBITED TRANSACTIONS The Company has determined that certain types of speculative transactions may present heightened legal risks and the potential for the appearance of improper conduct. Therefore, it is the Company’s policy to prohibit or discourage the following types of transactions. Short Sales Short sales of the Company’s Securities (i.e. the sale of a security that you do not own) may evidence an expectation that the Securities will decline in value and have the potential to signal to the market that you lack confidence in the Company’s prospects. In addition, short sales may be viewed as reducing your incentive to seek to improve the Company’s performance. For these reasons, short sales of the Company’s Securities are prohibited. Publicly Traded Options Given the relatively short term of publicly traded options, including put options, call options and other derivative securities, these types of transactions may create the appearance that you are trading based on material nonpublic information and may focus your attention on short-term performance at the expense of the Company’s long-term objectives. Accordingly, these types of transactions are prohibited. Hedging Transactions Hedging or monetization transactions can be accomplished through a number of mechanisms, including the use of financial instruments such as a prepaid variable forwards, equity swaps, collars and exchange funds. Such hedging transactions may permit an individual to continue to own Company securities obtained through employee benefits plans or otherwise, but without the full risks and rewards of ownership. When that occurs, the individual may no longer have the same objectives as the Company’s other shareholders. For these reasons, hedging transactions are prohibited. 7 Margin Accounts and Pledged Securities Securities held in margin accounts as collateral for a margin loan may be sold by the broker without the customer’s consent if the customer fails to meet a margin call. Similarly, securities pledged (or hypothecated) as collateral for a loan may be sold in foreclosure if the borrower defaults on the loan. Because such a sale may occur at a time when you are aware of material nonpublic information or are otherwise prohibited from trading in Company Securities, holding Securities in margin accounts and pledging Securities are prohibited. Standing and Limit Orders Standing and limit orders create heightened risks for insider trading violations because there is no control over the timing of the purchases or sales and, as a result, the broker may execute the transaction when you are aware of material nonpublic information. For this reason, we discourage the use of standing or limit orders of Company Securities. If you determine that you must use a standing or limit order, it should be of limited duration and should otherwise comply with the restrictions set forth in this Policy. 11. HANDLING OF INFORMATION The Company's records must always be treated as confidential. Items such as interim and annual financial statements, nonpublic information regarding the Company’s intellectual property and similar information are proprietary (that is, information pertaining to and used exclusively by the Company), and proprietary information must not be disclosed or used for any purpose other than for Company business. All Company policies and procedures designed to preserve and protect confidential information must be strictly followed at all times. No director, officer or employee of the Company shall at any time make any recommendation or express any opinion as to trading in the Company's securities. Information learned about other entities in a special relationship with the Company, such as acquisition negotiations, is confidential and must not be given to outside persons without proper authorization. All confidential information in the possession of a director, officer or employee is to be returned to the Company at the termination his or her relationship with the Company. If you are aware of material nonpublic information when you cease to be a director, employee or Consultant subject to this Policy you may not trade in Company Securities until that information has become public or is no longer material. If you have questions about whether information is still material or nonpublic after your termination please contact Counsel. 8 12. INVESTIGATIONS; SUPERVISION If any person subject to this Insider Trading Policy has reason to believe that material, nonpublic information of the Company has been disclosed to an outside party without authorization, that person should report this to the Counsel immediately. If any person subject to this Insider Trading Policy has reason to believe that an insider of the Company or someone outside of the Company has acted, or intends to act, on inside information, that person should report this to the Counsel immediately. If it is determined that an individual maliciously and knowingly reports false information to the Company with intent to do harm to another person or the Company, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken according to the severity of the charges, up to and including dismissal. All such disciplinary action will be taken at the sole discretion of the Company. 13. LIABILITY OF THE COMPANY The adoption, maintenance and enforcement of this Insider Trading Policy is not intended to result in the imposition of liability upon the Company for any insider trading violations where such liability would not exist in the absence of this Insider Trading Policy. This Policy is effective on December 7, 2016 and continues in effect until altered or revoked by the Board of Directors and supersedes any previous policy of the Company concerning insider trading. 9 [To be signed by members of the Board of Directors and Company Executive Officers, Employees and Designated Consultants] CONFIRMATION I HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE RECEIVED, HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND THE FOREGOING POLICIES OF THE COMPANY. Date: Signature Print Name 10 EXHIBIT A Submitted Pursuant to: NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. INSIDER TRADING POLICY PRE-CLEARANCE TRADING APPROVAL FORM I, ___________________________________________ (name), seek pre-clearance to engage in the transaction described below: Acquisition or Disposition (circle one) Name: Account Number: Date of Request: Amount or # of Shares: Broker: I, ____________________________ , hereby certify that (i) I am not in possession of any "material nonpublic information" concerning the Company as defined in the Company's Insider Trading Policy. I understand that if I trade while possessing such information or in violation of such trading restrictions, I may be subject to severe civil and/or criminal penalties, and may be subject to discipline by the Company up to and including termination for cause. Signature: _____________________________ Print Name: _______________________ Approved or Disapproved (circle one) Date of Approval: ___________________________ Signature: _____________________________ Print Name: _______________________ Compliance Officer/Counsel Approval: _____________________________ If approval is granted, you are authorized to proceed with this transaction for immediate execution, but only within the current trading window period for all directors, officers (those required to make filings under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934), employees and designated consultants. 11 EXHIBIT 21.1 List of Subsidiaries of Network-1 Technologies, Inc. Name Mirror Worlds Technologies, LLC HFT Solutions, LLC Jurisdiction Delaware Delaware INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM’S CONSENT We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statement of Network-1 Technologies, Inc. on Form S-8 Nos. 333-192811 and 333-269142 of our report dated March 8, 2024, with respect to our audits of the consolidated financial statements of Network-1 Technologies, Inc. as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, which report is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of Network-1 Technologies, Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2023. EXHIBIT 23.1 /s/ Marcum LLP Marcum LLP New York, New York March 8, 2024 EXHIBIT 31.1 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. §1350) I, Corey M. Horowitz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Network-1 Technologies, Inc. (the "Registrant"), certify that: 1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 of the Registrant; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The Registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a- 15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Registrant and have: (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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; (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The Registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the Registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting Date: March 8, 2024 /s/ Corey M. Horowitz Corey M. Horowitz Chairman and Chief Executive Officer EXHIBIT 31.2 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (18 U.S.C. §1350) I, Robert M. Mahan, Chief Financial Officer of Network-1 Technologies, Inc. (the "Registrant"), certify that: 1. I have reviewed this report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 of the Registrant; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The Registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a- 15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Registrant and have: (a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; (b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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; (c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and (d) Disclosed in this report any change in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the Registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The Registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the Registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): (a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and (b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Registrant's internal control over financial reporting. Date: March 8, 2024 /s/ Robert M. Mahan Robert M. Mahan Chief Financial Officer CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the undersigned, Corey M. Horowitz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Network-1 Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), does hereby certify that: The Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 of the Company (the "Report") fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. EXHIBIT 32.1 /s/ Corey M. Horowitz Chief Executive Officer and Chairman March 8, 2024 EXHIBIT 32.2 CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, the undersigned, Robert M. Mahan, Chief Financial Officer of Network-1 Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), does hereby certify that: The Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 of the Company (the "Report") fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. /s/ Robert M. Mahan Chief Financial Officer March 8, 2024 EXHIBIT 97 NETWORK-1 TECHNOLOGIES, INC. COMPENSATION CLAWBACK POLICY Adopted as of September 19, 2023 Network-1 Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), has adopted a Compensation Recovery Policy (this “Policy”) as described below. 1. Overview The Policy sets forth the circumstances and procedures under which the Company shall recover Erroneously Awarded Compensation from current and former Executive Officers of the Company in accordance with rules issued by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) and the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”). Please refer to Section 3 below for definitions of capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein. In addition, the Board may, in its sole discretion and in the reasonable exercise of its business judgment, determine whether and to what extent additional action is appropriate to address the circumstances surrounding such Material Financial Restatement to minimize the likelihood of any recurrence and to impose such other discipline as it deems appropriate. 2. Compensation Recovery Requirement In the event the Company is required to prepare a Material Financial Restatement, the Company shall reasonably promptly recover all Erroneously Awarded Compensation with respect to such Material Financial Restatement, and each Covered Person shall be required to take all actions necessary to enable such recovery. 3. Definitions (a) (b) (c) (d) “Applicable Recovery Period” means with respect to a Material Financial Restatement, the three completed fiscal years immediately preceding the Restatement Date for such Material Financial Restatement. In addition, in the event the Company has changed its fiscal year: (i) any transition period of less than nine months occurring within or immediately following such three completed fiscal years shall also be part of such Applicable Recovery Period and (ii) any transition period of nine to 12 months will be deemed to be a completed fiscal year. “Applicable Rules” means any rules or regulations adopted by the Exchange pursuant to Rule 10D-1 under the Exchange Act and any applicable rules or regulations adopted by the SEC pursuant to Section 10D of the Exchange Act. “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company. A “Covered Person means any person who is or was during the Applicable Recovery Period an Executive Officer of the Company of any affiliate hereof. A person’s status as a Covered Person with respect to Erroneously Awarded 1 (e) (f) Compensation shall be determined as of the time of receipt of such Erroneously Awarded Compensation regardless of their current role or status with the Company (e.g., if a person began service as an Executive Officer after the beginning of an Applicable Recovery Period, that person would not be considered a Covered Person with respect to Erroneously Awarded Compensation received before the person began service as an Executive Officer, but would be considered a Covered Person with respect to Erroneously Awarded Compensation received after the person began service as an Executive Officer where such person served as an Executive Officer at any time during the performance period for such Erroneously Awarded Compensation). “Erroneously Awarded Compensation” means, with respect to a Material Financial Restatement, the amount of any Incentive-Based Compensation received by a Covered Person during the Applicable Recovery Period that exceeds the amount that otherwise would have been received by the Covered Person had such compensation been determined based on the restated amounts in the Material Financial Restatement, computed without regard to any taxes paid. Calculation of Erroneously Awarded Compensation with respect to Incentive-Based Compensation based on stock price or total shareholder return, where the amount of Erroneously Awarded Compensation is not subject to mathematical recalculation directly from the information in a Material Financial Restatement, shall be based on a reasonable estimate of the effect of the Material Financial Restatement on the stock price or total shareholder return upon which the Incentive-Based Compensation was received, and the Company shall maintain documentation of the determination of such reasonable estimate and provide such documentation to the NYSE in accordance with the Applicable Rules. An “Executive Officer” means any person who served the Company in any of the following roles, received Incentive-Based Compensation after beginning service in any such role (regardless of whether such Incentive-Based Compensation was received during or after such person’s service in such role) and served in such role at any time during the performance period for such Incentive-Based Compensation: the president, the principal financial officer, the principal accounting officer (or if there is no such accounting officer the controller), any vice president in charge of a principal business unit, division or function (such as sales, administration or finance), any other officer who performs a policy making function, or any other person who performs similar policy making functions for the issuer. Executive officers of parents or subsidiaries of the Company may be deemed executive officers of the Company if they perform such policy making functions for the Company. (g) “Financial Reporting Measures” mean measures that are determined and presented in accordance with the accounting principles used in preparing the Company’s financial statements, and any measures that are derived wholly or in part from such 2 measures. Examples of Financial Reporting Measures include measures based on: revenues, net income, operating income, financial ratios, EBITDA, liquidity measures, return measures (such as return on assets), profitability of one or more (including, for example, a non-GAAP financial measure such as those appearing in earnings releases or MD&A), and stock price and total shareholder return are also Financial Reporting Measures. Financial Reporting Measures need not be presented within the Company’s financial statements or included in a filing with the SEC. (h) (i) (j) “Incentive-Based Compensation” means any compensation provided, directly or indirectly, by the Company or any of its subsidiaries that is granted, earned, or vested based, in whole or in part, upon the attainment of a Financial Reporting Measure. Incentive-Based Compensation does not include any base salaries, discretionary cash bonuses and equity awards that vest solely on the passage of time. Incentive-Based Compensation is deemed received in the fiscal period during which the Financial Reporting Measure specified in the Incentive Based Compensation award is attained, even if the payment or grant of such award occurs after the end of that period. A “Material Financial Restatement” means an accounting restatement of previously issued financial statements of the Company filed with the SEC under the Securities Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, due to the material noncompliance of the Company with any financial reporting requirement under the U.S. securities laws, regardless of whether the Company or executive officer misconduct was the cause for such restatement. A Material Financial Restatement includes any required accounting restatement to correct an error in previously-issued financial statements that is material to the previously-issued financial statements (commonly referred to as “Big R” restatements), or that would result in a material misstatement if the error were corrected in the current period or left uncorrected in the current period (commonly referred to as “little r” restatements). “Restatement Date” means, with respect to a Material Financial Restatement, the earlier to occur of: (i) the date the Board or the Audit Committee of the Board concludes, or reasonably should have concluded, that the Company is required to prepare the Material Financial Restatement, or (ii) the date a court, regulator or other legally authorized body directs the Company to prepare the Material Financial Restatement. The Company’s obligation to recover Erroneously Awarded Compensation is not dependent on if or when the Material Financial Restatement is filed. 4. Exception to Compensation Recovery Requirement The Company may elect not to recover Erroneously Awarded Compensation pursuant to this Policy if the Committee determines that recovery would be impracticable, and one or more of the following conditions, together with any further requirements set forth in the Applicable Rules, 3 are met: (i) the direct expense paid to a third party to assist in enforcing this Policy would exceed the amount to be recovered, and the Company has made a reasonable attempt to recover such Erroneously Awarded Compensation, document such reasonable attempts, and provide that documentation to the NYSE; or (ii) recovery would likely cause an otherwise tax-qualified retirement plan to fail to be so qualified under applicable regulations. 5. Tax Considerations To the extent that, pursuant to this Policy, the Company is entitled to recover any Erroneously Awarded Compensation that is received by a Covered Person, the gross amount received (i.e., the amount the Covered Person received, or was entitled to receive, before any deductions for tax withholding or other payments) shall be returned by the Covered Person. 6. Method of Compensation Recovery The Board (or the Compensation Committee as provided in Section 8 hereof) shall determine, in its sole discretion, the method for recovering Erroneously Awarded Compensation hereunder, which may include, without limitation, any one or more of the following: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) requiring reimbursement of cash Incentive-Based Compensation previously paid; seeking recovery of any gain realized on the vesting, exercise, settlement, sale, transfer or other disposition of any equity-based awards; cancelling or rescinding some or all outstanding vested or unvested equity-based awards; adjusting or withholding from unpaid compensation or other set-off; cancelling or setting-off against planned future grants of equity-based awards; and/or any other method permitted by applicable law or contract. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Covered Person will be deemed to have satisfied such person’s obligation to return Erroneously Awarded Compensation to the Company if such Erroneously Awarded Compensation is returned in the exact same form in which it was received; provided that equity withheld to satisfy tax obligations will be deemed to have been received in cash in an amount equal to the tax withholding payment made. 7. Policy Interpretation This Policy shall be interpreted in a manner that is consistent with the Applicable Rules and any other applicable law and shall otherwise be interpreted (including in the determination of amounts recoverable) in the business judgment of the Committee. The Committee shall take into 4 consideration any applicable interpretations and guidance of the SEC in interpreting this Policy, including, for example, in determining whether a financial restatement qualifies as a Material Financial Restatement hereunder. To the extent the Applicable Rules require recovery of Incentive-Based Compensation in additional circumstances besides those specified above, nothing in this Policy shall be deemed to limit or restrict the right or obligation of the Company to recover Incentive-Based Compensation to the fullest extent required by the Applicable Rules. This Policy shall be deemed to be automatically amended, as of the date the Applicable Rules become effective with respect to the Company, to the extent required for this Policy to comply with the Applicable Rules. 8. Policy Administration The Board shall have full authority to administer this Policy. Actions of the Board pursuant to this Policy shall be taken by the vote of a majority of its members. The Board shall, subject to the provisions of this Policy, make such determinations and interpretations and take such actions in connection with this Policy as it deems necessary, appropriate or advisable. All determinations and interpretations made by the Board shall be final, binding and conclusive. The Board may delegate any of its powers under this Policy to the Compensation Committee of the Board. 9. Compensation Recovery Repayments not Subject to Indemnification Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any agreement with, or the organizational documents of, the Company or any of its subsidiaries, Covered Persons are not entitled to indemnification for Erroneously Awarded Compensation recovered under this Policy and, to the extent any such agreement or organizational document purports to provide otherwise, Covered Persons hereby irrevocably agree to forego such indemnification. 10. Other Laws This Policy is in addition to (and not in lieu of) any right of repayment, forfeiture or right of offset against any Covered Person that may be available under applicable law or otherwise (regardless of whether implemented at any time prior to or following the adoption of the Policy). 11. Amendment; Termination The Board may amend or terminate this Policy at any time. 12. Disclosures Appropriate disclosures and other filings with respect to this Policy will be made in accordance with Rule 10D-1 of the Exchange Act, and the applicable NYSE listing standards. 5 

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