NOTE 7 – COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Lease Commitments

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, which is included in other assets on the accompanying balance sheets. 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.

We entered into a lease for office space at 8669 Research Drive, in Irvine, CA, which is to replace the current corporate headquarters. The lease commenced on December 1, 2019 with no rent due until April 1, 2020. From April 1, 2020 through March 31, 2025, base rent will be due on the first of each month in the amount of $25,200 escalating annually on December 1 of each year to $29,480 beginning December 1, 2023. The Company paid an initial amount of $68,128 comprising the rent for April 2020, a security deposit and the amount due for property taxes, insurance and association fees.

Future minimum lease commitments of the Company are as follows:

The Company recorded rent expense of $201,540 and $164,626 for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.

Other Commitments

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.

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 Chief Financial Officer for a three-year term. 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 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.

On September 30, 2017, the officers and an employee agreed to defer 30% of their salaries starting September 30, 2017 to September 30, 2018 for payment after the completion of the IPO. On September 30, 2018, the officers and employees agreed to convert their deferred compensation of $650,100, owed as of September 30, 2018, into shares of the Company’s common stock upon the consummation of an IPO. Concurrent with the closing of the IPO on November 14, 2018, the Company issued 136,863 unregistered shares of common stock upon conversion of $650,100 of accrued and unpaid compensation of officers and directors at a conversion price of $4.75 per share (see Note 10).

On December 24, 2018, the Board approved $300,000 in cash bonuses for the two founders and an officer of the Company, payable by January 31, 2019. The Company has accrued the bonus expense as of December 31, 2018.

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, Plaintiff Edwin Minassian filed a complaint against Defendants ToughBuilt Industries, Inc. (the “Company”) and Michael Panosian in the Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles, Case No. EC065533. The complaint alleges breach of oral contracts to pay Plaintiff for consulting and finder’s fees, and to hire him as an employee. The complaint further alleged claims of fraud and misrepresentation relating to an alleged payment in exchange for stock in the Company. The complaint seeks unspecified monetary damages, declaratory relief, stock in the Company, and other relief according to proof.

On April 12, 2018, the Court entered judgments of default 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.

The Company and Panosian satisfied the judgments on September 14, 2018 by payment of $252,949 to Plaintiff Minassian and by issuing Plaintiff Minassian 376,367 shares of common stock of the Company. On October 18, 2018, the Company and Panosian filed a Notice of Appeal from the Order denying their motion for relief from the above-referenced 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 ToughBuilt’s motion for relief from the default judgment and directing the trial court to grant ToughBuilt’s motion for relief, including allowing ToughBuilt to file an Answer and contest Minassian’s claims.

The appellate court recently issued an remittitur officially transferring the matter from the appellate court back to the trial court for further proceedings consistent with its ruling, and the Company and Panosian have filed an Answer to the Complaint. The trial court has not yet set a trial date, and discovery in this case is just now beginning. The Company intends to vigorously defend the Complaint and seek to recover the compensation and stock previously paid to satisfy the now vacated default judgment. The Company believes it has a strong position, but cannot quantify the likelihood that it will prevail in the above litigation, or any likely liability or recoveries, because of the current status of the case and the unpredictability of litigation.

2. Design 1^st v. ToughBuilt Industries, Inc., American Arbitration Association

On November 26, 2019, Claimant Design 1^st filed a Demand for Arbitration against ToughBuilt Industries seeking $169,094.35 in damages, plus attorney’s fees and costs. Claimaint contends the Company breached a written contract by failing to pay for design services. ‘The Company filed a Cross-Demand for Arbitration against Claimant seeking $394,956.07 in damages, plus attorney’s and costs alleging Claimant breached the same contract by performing negligent services, failing to meets its obligations under the contract, and fraudulent billing. An arbitration hearing has not yet been scheduled by the arbitrator, Grant Kim, and discovery has not yet commenced. The Company intends to vigorously defend the Demand for Arbitration. The Company believes it has a strong position, but cannot quantify the likelihood that it will prevail in the above litigation, or any likely liability or recoveries, because of the current status of the case and the unpredictability of litigation.

The Company has recorded the litigation expense of $0 and $1,192,488 for the years ended December 31, 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 probable and the amount can be reasonable estimated, the Company recognizes an expense for the estimated loss.