NOTE 5 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

On January 3, 2017, the Company executed a non-cancellable operating lease for its principal office with the lease commencing February 1, 2017 for a five (5) year term. The Company paid a security deposit of $29,297. The lease required the Company to pay its proportionate share of direct costs estimated to be 22.54% of the total property, a fixed monthly direct cost of $6,201 for each month during the term of the lease, and monthly rental pursuant to the lease terms.

On August 30, 2018, the Company entered into an agreement with a customer to pay a slotting allowance of $1,000,000 payable in three annual installments of $333,334 on March 1, 2019, $333,333 on March 1, 2020 and $333,333 on March 1, 2021.

Future minimum lease and other commitments of the Company are as follows:

The Company recorded rent expense of $50,110 and $ 59,540 and $133,762 and $ 142,261 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The Company recorded a slotting expense of $ 83,334 and $0 and $250,002 and $0 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Employment Agreements with Officers

On January 3, 2017, the Company entered into an employment agreement with its President and Chief Executive Officer for a five-year term. The officer received a sign-on-bonus of $50,000 and is entitled to an annual base salary of $350,000 to increase by 10% each year commencing on January 1, 2018. The officer was also granted a stock option to purchase 125,000 shares of the Company’s common stock at an exercise price of $10.00 per share.

On January 3, 2017, the Company entered into an employment agreement with its Vice-President of Design and Development for a five-year term. Under the terms of this agreement, the officer received a sign-on-bonus of $35,000 and is entitled to an annual base salary of $250,000 beginning on December 1, 2016 to increase by 10% each year commencing on January 1, 2018.

On January 3, 2017, the Company entered into an employment agreement with its Chief Operating Officer and Secretary for a three-year term. Under the terms of this agreement, the officer is entitled to an annual base salary of $180,000 beginning on January 1, 2017 to increase by 10% each year commencing on January 1, 2018.

On January 3, 2017, the Company entered into an employment agreement with its former Chief Financial Officer for a three-year term, who resigned effective as of June 14, 2019. Under the terms of this agreement, the officer is entitled to an annual base salary of $250,000 beginning on January 1, 2017 to increase by 10% each year commencing on January 1, 2018. The Company’s new Chief Financial Officer was appointed on June 14, 2019, with whom the Company has entered into a verbal consulting arrangement at $10,000 per month.

The employment agreements also entitle the officers to receive, among other benefits, the following compensation: (i) eligibility to receive an annual cash bonus at the sole discretion of the Board and as determined by the Compensation Committee commensurate with the policies and practices applicable to other senior executive officers of the Company; (ii) an opportunity to participate in any stock option, performance share, performance unit or other equity based long-term incentive compensation plan commensurate with the terms and conditions applicable to other senior executive officers and (iii) participation in benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental, disability, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent available to the Company’s other senior executive officers.

Litigation Costs and Contingencies

From time to time, the Company may become involved in various lawsuits and legal proceedings, which arise in the ordinary course of business. Litigation is subject to inherent uncertainties, and an adverse result in these or other matters may arise from time to time that may harm business. Other than as set forth below, management is currently not aware of any such legal proceedings or claims that could have, individually or in the aggregate, a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, or operating results.

On August 16, 2016, Edwin Minassian filed a complaint against the Company and Michael Panosian, our Chief Executive Officer, in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles. The complaint alleges breach of oral contracts to pay Mr. Minassian for consulting and finder’s fees, and to hire him as an employee. The complaint further alleges, among other things, fraud and misrepresentation relating to the alleged tender of $100,000 to the Company in exchange for “a 2% stake in ToughBuilt” of which only $20,000 was delivered. The complaint seeks unspecified monetary damages, declaratory relief concerning the plaintiff’s contention that he has an unresolved 9% ownership stake in ToughBuilt and other relief according to proof.

On April 12, 2018, the Court entered judgments against the Company and Mr. Panosian in the amounts of $7,080 and $235,542, plus awarding Mr. Minassian a 7% ownership interest in the Company (the “Judgments”). Mr. Minassian served notice of entry of the judgments on April 17, 2018 and the Company and Mr. Panosian received notice of the entry of the default judgments on April 19, 2018.

On April 25, 2018, the Company and Mr. Panosian filed a motion to have the April 12, 2018 default judgment on Plaintiff’s Complaint, the February 13, 2018 defaults, and April 14, 2017 Order for terminating sanctions striking Defendants’ Answer set aside on the basis of their former attorney’s declaration that his negligence resulted in the default judgment, default, and terminating sanctions being entered against the Company and Mr. Panosian. The motion was denied. On September 13, 2018, the Company and Panosian satisfied the Judgments by the Company making a payment of $252,950 (which included $10,303 post judgment interest) to Minassian and by Mr. Panosian issuing him shares reflecting a 7% ownership stake in the Company. On October 18, 2018, the Company and Mr. Panosian filed a Notice of Appeal from the Order denying their motion for relief from the default judgment.

On October 1, 2019, the Second Appellate District of the California Court of Appeal issued its opinion reversing the trial court’s order denying the Company’s motion for relief from the default judgment and directing the trial court to grant the Company’s motion for relief, including allowing the Company to file an Answer and contest Minassian’s claims. We expect the appellate court to issue a remittitur officially transferring the matter from the appellate court back to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with its ruling. Upon return to the trial court, the Company intends to vigorously contest Minassian’s claims.

The Company has recorded legal expense of $0 and $1,192,488 nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

In the normal course of business, the Company incurs costs to hire and retain external legal counsel to advise it on regulatory, litigation and other matters. The Company expenses these costs as the related services are received. If a loss is considered and the amount can be reasonable estimated, the Company recognizes an expense for the estimated loss.