KOSS Koss Corporation

 ITEM 1A.    RISK FACTORS

We are subject to various risks that may materially harm our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations. This discussion highlights some of the risks that may affect future operating results. These are the risks and uncertainties we believe are most important for you to consider. We cannot be certain that we will successfully address these risks. If we are unable to address these risks, our business may not grow, our stock price may suffer, and we may be unable to stay in business. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us, which we currently deem immaterial, or which are similar to those faced by other companies in our industry or business in general, may also impair our business, prospects, results of operations and financial condition. The risks discussed below include forward-looking statements, and our actual results may differ substantially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements.

Risks Related to Our Operations and Financial Results

Reduction in present levels of cash flow could adversely affect the Company’s business.

The Company’s primary source of liquidity historically has been operating cash flows. The Company’s future cash flows from operations (on both a short-term and long-term basis) are dependent upon the following factors, among others:

the Company’s ability to attract new customers that will sell the Company’s products and pay for them;

the Company’s ability to retain its existing customers at the level of sales previously produced;

the volume of sales for these customers; and

maintaining business from one or more primary customers;

Similarly, the Company’s future cash flows from operations are subject to the following risks and, among others:

changes in types of products that customers purchase in their sales mix;

poor or deteriorating economic conditions which would directly impact the ability of the Company’s customers to remain in business and pay for their products on a timely basis;

timely, efficient and cost effective movement of products from suppliers and to export customers:

management’s ability to minimize the impact of requests for increases in material or labor cost; and

the ability to collect in full and in a timely manner amounts due to the Company.

In addition, the Company’s cash flow is also dependent, to some extent, upon the ability to maintain operating margins. Weakening consumer demand, including due to recessionary and inflationary concerns, could adversely impact the Company’s cash flow and profitability.

We are dependent on the proper functioning of our critical facilities, our contract manufacturers in China, our supply chain and distribution networks and the financial stability of our customers, all of which have been negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in a manner that may have a materially adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.

Our ability to produce products may be materially adversely impacted by COVID-19.

The Company has closely monitored the impact of COVID-19 (including the emergence of variants) to protect the health and safety of its employees and customers. Business plans are being continuously updated and executed to maintain supply of the Company’s products to our customers throughout the world. While the impacts of COVID-19 on our business have moderated, there still remains uncertainty around the pandemic. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, uncertainty with respect to its economic effects has impacted not only our operating results but also the global economy. The extent and nature of government actions to ease restrictions are varied based upon the current extent and severity of the COVID-19 pandemic within their respective countries and localities. In the prior year, the Company saw a surge in demand for communication headsets in the education market that did not repeat at the same level in fiscal year 2022. Also, certain retail businesses throughout the Company’s markets, particularly in certain European markets due to the spread of the Omicron subvariant BA.2, have seen continued disruption. The Company expects the negative sales impacts caused by this disruption to continue until markets more fully re-open and consumer spending returns to normal. 

The ultimate magnitude of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the extent of its impact on the Company’s business, financial position, results of operations or liquidity, cannot be reasonably estimated at this time due to the rapid development and fluidity of the situation. The Company’s future results will be determined by the effectiveness of vaccines, rollout of vaccine boosters, the duration of the pandemic, impact of variants, its geographic spread, further business disruptions and the overall impact on the economy throughout the globe.

To protect the safety, health and well-being of employees, customers, and suppliers, the Company continues to maintain several preventive measures while also meeting the needs of global customers. They include increased frequency of cleaning and disinfecting of facilities, social distancing practices, remote working when possible, restrictions on business travel, holding certain events virtually and limitations on visitor access to facilities.

The Company is committed to continuing to execute these plans and will remain in close contact with its supply chain to monitor future possible implications, especially on production facilities.

Company profits can suffer from interruption in its supply chain, including disruptions and price volatility in shipping products from China and Taiwan to the U.S. and from the Company’s warehouse in Milwaukee to its customers.

The Company uses contract manufacturing facilities in the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan. The Company is at risk of business interruptions due to natural disaster, war, disease and government intervention through tariffs or trade restrictions, which lately have become of increased concern in these areas. Therefore, any interruptions in the supply chain for any of these reasons could directly impact the Company’s profits in a material, negative way. Recovery of a single facility through replacement of a supplier in the event of a disaster or suspension of supply could take an estimated six to twelve months. The Company is also at risk if trade restrictions are imposed on the Company’s products based upon country of origin. In addition, the Company may not be able to pass along most increases in tariffs and freight charges to the Company’s customers, which would directly affect profits.

We have experienced supply chain and shipping interruptions and constraints, volatility in demand for our products caused by sudden

and significant changes in production levels by our suppliers, and disruptions in our manufacturing and supply arrangements caused by the loss or disruption of essential manufacturing and supply elements such as raw materials or other product components,

transportation, work force, force majeure events. The increased cost of freight and extended transit time for our products has resulted

in backorders. The ultimate impact of these supply chain interruptions on our business, results of operations, and cash flows remain

uncertain and could materially adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, prospects and the trading

prices of our common stock.

The Company’s supply chain is primarily in southern China. Since late fiscal year 2021, the Company has experienced issues related to the availability of containers and routings to move products in a cost effective and time efficient manner. There have also been impacts to the movement of new product introductions and costs. The Company is monitoring the situation closely and the supply chain team has modified business plans, which include, but are not limited to: (1) increasing the investment in inventory; (2) being alert to potential short supply situations; (3) assisting suppliers with acquisition of critical components; and (4) utilizing alternative sources and/or air freight.  The latest COVID-19 resurgence resulted in another shut-down of several major ports in China, thus impacting manufacturing of our products and shipments from our suppliers. Additionally, recently there has been increasing geopolitical tension between China and Taiwan that may affect future shipments from Taiwan-based suppliers. The Company is at risk of lower sales due to delays in receiving and shipping products due to interruptions in its supply chain. Any resulting price volatility will directly affect profits.

Our sales may be materially adversely impacted by COVID-19.

Our sales efforts include in-person meetings with customers and potential customers to discuss our products. Additionally, much of our customers’ sales are conducted in-person by consumers purchasing our products in brick-and-mortar stores. The method and timing of these meetings and the ability of our customers to make in-person sales have been altered due to stay-at-home orders and travel restrictions relating to COVID-19. The extent to which virtual meetings and interactions continue to be used or preferred in lieu of in-person interactions may significantly change business practices for us and our customers, even as COVID-19 restrictions and safety measures subside. This limitation on the ability of our sales personnel and our customers to maintain their customary interaction with customers and consumers may negatively affect demand for our products and have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.

Failure to attract and retain customers to sell the Company’s products could adversely affect sales volume and future profitability.

The Company markets a line of products used by consumers to listen to music. The Company distributes these products through retail channels in the U.S. and independent distributors throughout the rest of the world. The Company is dependent upon its ability to attract and retain a base of customers to sell the Company’s line of products. The Company has broad distribution across many channels including specialty stores, mass merchants, electronics stores and computer retailers. The Company may not be able to maintain customers or model selections and therefore may experience a reduction in its sales revenue until a model is restored to the mix or a lost customer is replaced by a new customer. The loss of business of one or more principal customers or a change in the sales volume from a particular customer could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s sales volume and profitability.

A shift in customer specifications to lower priced items can reduce profit margins, negatively impacting profitability.

The Company sells lines of products with a suggested retail prices ranging from less than $10 up to $1,000. The gross margin for each of these models varies in terms of percentages. The Company finds the low-priced portion of the market most competitive and therefore most subject to pressure on gross margin percentages, which tends to lower profit contributions. Therefore, a shift in retail customer specifications and preferences toward lower priced items could lead to lower gross margins and lower profit contributions per unit of sale. Due to the range of products that the Company sells, the product sales mix can produce a variation in profit margins. Some distributors sell a limited range of products that yield lower profit margins than others. Most notably, the budget-priced stereo headphone segment of the market (below $10 retail), which is distributed through mass market retailers, computer stores, and office supply stores tends to yield the lowest gross margins. An increase in business with these types of accounts, if coupled with a simultaneous reduction in sales to customers with higher gross margins, would reduce profit margins and profitability.

If we are unable to continue to develop innovative and popular products, our brand image may be harmed and demand for our products may decrease.

Consumer electronics are subject to constantly and rapidly changing consumer preferences based on industry trends and performance features, including technological advancement. Our success depends largely on our ability to lead, anticipate, gauge and respond to these changing consumer preferences and trends in a timely manner, while preserving and strengthening the perception and authenticity of our brand. We must continue to develop high performance products that provide better design and performance attributes than the products of our competitors at similar price points. Market acceptance of new designs and products is subject to uncertainty and we cannot assure you that our efforts will be successful. The inability of new product designs or new product lines to gain market acceptance, or our current products losing traction in the market, could adversely affect our brand image, our business and financial condition. Achieving market acceptance for new products may also require substantial marketing efforts and expenditures to increase consumer demand, which could constrain our management, financial and operational resources. If new products we introduce do not experience broad market acceptance or demand for our existing products wanes, our net sales and market share could decline.

We may not be able to compete effectively, which could cause our net sales and market share to decline.

The consumer electronics industry is highly competitive, and characterized by frequent introduction of new competitors, as well as increased competition from established companies expanding their product portfolio, aggressive price cutting and resulting downward pressure on gross margins and rapid consolidation of the market resulting in larger competitors. We face competition from consumer electronics brands that have historically dominated the stereo headphone market, in addition to sport brand and lifestyle companies that also produce headphone products. These companies include, among others, Apple, Sony, Bose, LG and Samsung. These competitors may have significant competitive advantages, including greater financial, distribution, marketing and other resources, longer operating histories, better brand recognition among certain groups of consumers, and greater economies of scale. In addition, these competitors have long-term relationships with many of our larger retailers that are potentially more important to those retailers. As a result, these competitors may be better equipped to influence consumer preferences or otherwise increase their market share by:

quickly adapting to changes in consumer preferences;

readily taking advantage of acquisition and other opportunities;

discounting excess inventory;

devoting greater resources to the marketing and sale of their products, including significant advertising, media placement and product endorsement;

adopting aggressive pricing policies; and

engaging in lengthy and costly intellectual property and other legal disputes.

Additionally, the industry in which we compete generally has low barriers to entry that allow the introduction of new products or new competitors at a fast pace. Some retailers have begun to introduce their own private label headphones, which could reduce the volume of product they buy from us, as well as decrease the shelf space they allocate to our products. If we are unable to protect our brand image and authenticity, while carefully balancing our growth, we may be unable to effectively compete with these new market entrants or new products. The inability to compete effectively against new and existing competitors could have an adverse effect on our net sales and results of operations, preventing us from achieving future growth.

If we are unable to obtain intellectual property rights and/or enforce those rights against third parties who are violating those rights, our business could suffer.

We rely on various intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, trade secrets and trade dress to protect our brand name, reputation, product appearance and technology. If we fail to obtain, maintain, or in some cases enforce our intellectual property rights, our competitors may be able to copy our designs, or use our brand name, trademarks or technology. As a result, if we are unable to successfully protect our intellectual property rights, or resolve any conflicts effectively, our results of operations may be harmed.

Regardless of the merits of the claims, litigation may be expensive, time-consuming and disruptive to our operations and distracting to management. If resolved against us, such legal proceedings could result in excessive verdicts, injunctive relief or other equitable relief that may affect how we operate our business. Similarly, if we settle such legal proceedings, it may negatively affect how we operate our business. Recently, in connection with its ongoing intellectual property enforcement program, which includes lawsuits alleging infringement of patents relating to its wireless audio technology, the Company has granted licenses covering certain Company patents. Some complaints we have filed remain outstanding. As all litigation is uncertain, there can be no assurance that any of this remaining or future litigation will be decided in our favor.

We may be adversely affected by the financial condition of our retailers and distributors.

Some of our retailers and distributors are experiencing financial difficulties as a result of current adverse economic conditions. A retailer or distributor experiencing such difficulties generally will not purchase and sell as many of our products as it would under normal circumstances and may cancel orders. In addition, a retailer or distributor experiencing financial difficulties generally increases our exposure to uncollectible receivables. We extend credit to our retailers and distributors based on our assessment of their financial condition, generally without requiring collateral, and sometimes are not able to obtain information regarding their current financial status. Failure of these retailers or distributors to remain current on their obligations to us could result in losses that exceed the reserves we set aside in anticipation of this risk. We are also exposed to the risk of our customers declaring bankruptcy, exposing us to claims of preferential payment claims. Financial difficulties on the part of our retailers or distributors could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.

One of our customer’s accounts for a significant amount of our net sales, and the loss of, or reduced purchases from, this or other customers could have a material adverse effect on our operating results.

Our largest fiscal year 2022 customer, Amazon Seller Central, accounted for more than 13% and 3% of our net sales in fiscal years 2022 and 2021, respectively. We do not have long-term contracts with any of our customers and all of our customers generally purchase from us on a purchase order basis. As a result, this customer generally may, with no notice or penalty, cease ordering and selling our products, or materially reduce its orders. If certain customers, individually or in the aggregate, choose to no longer sell our products, to slow their rate of purchase of our products or to decrease the number of products they purchase, our results of operations would be adversely affected.

Our products may experience quality problems from time to time that can result in decreased sales and operating margin and harm to our reputation.

We offer products that can be affected by design and manufacturing defects. Defects can also exist in components used for our products. Component defects could make the Company’s products unsafe and create a risk of property damage and personal injury. There can be no assurance the Company will be able to detect and fix all issues and defects in the products it offers. Failure to do so can result in widespread technical and performance issues affecting the Company’s products. In addition, the Company can be exposed to product liability claims, recalls, product replacements or modifications, write-offs of inventory, property, plant and equipment, and/or intangible assets, and significant warranty and other expenses, including litigation costs and regulatory fines. Quality problems can also adversely affect the experience for users of the Company’s products, and result in harm to the Company’s reputation, loss of competitive advantage, poor market acceptance, reduced demand for products, delay in new product introductions and lost sales.

An information systems interruption or breach in security could adversely affect us.

Privacy, security, and compliance concerns have continued to increase as technology has evolved. We rely on accounting, financial and operational management information systems to conduct our operations. Any disruption in these systems could adversely affect our ability to conduct our business. Furthermore, as part of our normal business activities, we collect and store common confidential information about customers, employees, vendors, and suppliers. This information is entitled to protection under a number of regulatory regimes. Any failure to maintain the security of the data, including the penetration of our network security and the misappropriation of confidential and personal information, could result in business disruption, damage to our reputation, financial obligations to third parties, fines, penalties, regulatory proceedings and private litigation with potentially large costs, and also result in deterioration in customers confidence in us and other competitive disadvantages, and thus could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations.

High-profile security breaches at other companies and in government agencies have increased in recent years, and security industry experts and government officials have warned about the risks of hackers and cyber-attacks targeting businesses. Cyber-attacks are becoming more sophisticated and frequent, and in some cases have caused significant harm. Computer hackers and others routinely attempt to breach the security of technology products, services and systems, and to fraudulently induce employees, customers, or others to disclose information or unwittingly provide access to systems or data. While we devote resources to security measures to protect our systems and data, these measures cannot provide absolute security.

Changes in tax laws and unanticipated tax liabilities could adversely affect our effective income tax rate and profitability.

We are subject to income taxes in the United States. Our effective income tax rate could be adversely affected in the future by a number of factors, including: changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities and changes in tax laws. We regularly assess all of these matters to determine the adequacy of our tax provision. If our tax strategies are ineffective or we are not in compliance with domestic and international tax laws, our financial position, operating results and cash flows could be adversely affected.

Our business, financial condition and results of operations may be adversely impacted by the effects of inflation.

Inflation has the potential to adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations by increasing our overall cost structure, particularly if we are unable to achieve commensurate increases in the prices we charge our customers. There have been recent inflationary cost increases in our commodities, packaging materials and transportation costs. Other inflationary pressures could affect wages, the cost and availability of components and materials, and our ability to meet customer demand. Inflation may further exacerbate other risk factors, including customer demand, supply chain disruptions, and risks of international operations and the recruitment and retention of talent.

During fiscal 2022, we have experienced inflationary cost increases in our commodities, packaging materials and transportation costs. These increases have been partially mitigated by pricing actions implemented in the third quarter of the current fiscal year, as well as working with a dedicated freight forwarding partner to minimize freight rate increases.

Risks Related to our International Operations

Economic regulation, trade restrictions, and increasing manufacturing costs in China could adversely impact our business and results of operations.

The Company uses contract manufacturing facilities in the People’s Republic of China. For many years, the Chinese economy has experienced periods of rapid growth. An increase in the cost of labor or taxes on wages in China may lead to an increase in the cost of goods manufactured in China. Significant increases in wages or wage taxes paid by contract manufacturing facilities may increase the cost of goods manufactured in China which could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s profit margins and profitability. Additionally, government trade policies, including the imposition of tariffs, export restrictions, sanctions or other retaliatory measures could limit our ability to source materials and products from China at acceptable prices or at all. We do not currently have arrangements with contract manufacturers in other countries that may be acceptable substitutes. We cannot predict what actions may ultimately be taken with respect to tariffs, export controls, countermeasures, or other trade measures between the U.S. and China or other countries and what products may be subject to such actions. To the extent such actions inhibit our transactions with contract manufacturing facilities and suppliers in China, our business may be materially adversely affected.

Our international operations could be adversely impacted by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

Financial and credit markets around the world experienced volatility following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022. In

response to the invasion, the United States, United Kingdom and European Union, along with others, imposed significant new sanctions and export controls against Russia, Russian banks and certain Russian individuals and may implement additional sanctions

or take further punitive actions in the future. The full economic and social impact of the sanctions imposed on Russia (as well as

possible future punitive measures that may be implemented), as well as the counter measures imposed by Russia, remains uncertain.

The invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the sanctions imposed in response to this conflict have increased global economic and political uncertainty. In accordance with Executive Order 14071 signed on April 6, 2022, the Company suspended sales into Russia. Also, given the current humanitarian crisis in Ukraine and the population seeking refuge in other countries, sales to Ukraine have been impacted. Neither Russia nor Ukraine constitutes a significant portion of the business – in the aggregate less than 4% of net sales for the year ended June 30, 2022, with no sales to Russia or Ukraine in the current quarter. We are uncertain, however, of the impact it will have on our results of operations for the future. We continue to monitor the conflict and will report on its impact as necessary as developments occur.
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We may be subject to risks related to doing business in, and having counterparties based in, foreign countries. 

 We engage in operations, and enter into agreements with counterparties, located outside the U.S., which exposes us to political, governmental and economic instability and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Any disruption caused by these factors could harm our business, results of operations, financial condition, liquidity and prospects. Risks associated with potential operations, commitments and investments outside of the U.S. include but are not limited to risks of:

global and local economic, social and political conditions and uncertainty;

currency exchange restrictions and currency fluctuations;

war, such as the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, or terrorist attack;

local outbreak of disease, such as COVID-19;

renegotiation or nullification of existing contracts or international trade arrangements;

labor market conditions and workers’ rights affecting our manufacturing operations or those of our customers;

macro-economic conditions impacting key markets and sources of supply;

changing laws and policies affecting trade, taxation, financial regulation, immigration, and investment;

compliance with laws and regulations that differ among jurisdictions, including those covering taxes, intellectual property ownership and infringement, imports and exports, anti-corruption and anti-bribery, antitrust and competition, data privacy, and environment, health, and safety; and

general hazards associated with the assertion of sovereignty over areas in which operations are conducted, transactions occur, or counterparties are located.

Fluctuations in currency exchange rates could affect the Company’s financial results and operations, including with respect to pricing of products and overall demand for the Company’s products.

The Company receives a material portion of its sales and profits from business in Europe. To the extent that the value of the U.S. dollar increases relative to currencies in those jurisdictions, it increases the cost of the Company’s products in those jurisdictions, which could create negative pressure on the foreign demand for the Company’s products. The Company is paid by its international customers in U.S. dollars. To the extent that increased prices arising from currency fluctuations decrease the overall demand for the Company’s products or motivate customers to purchase lower-priced, lower profit products, the Company’s sales, profits and cash flows could be adversely affected.

Risks Related to our Stock 

Our stock price is subject to volatility.

Our stock is subject to substantial price volatility. Additionally, the Company, the technology industry, and the stock market as a whole have experienced extreme stock price and volume fluctuations that have affected stock prices in ways that may have been unrelated to companies’ operating performance. Factors such as the depth and liquidity of the market for our common stock, investor perceptions of us and our business, actions by institutional shareholders, strategic actions by us, litigation, changes in accounting standards, policies, guidance, interpretations and principles, additions or departures of key personnel and our results of operations, financial performance and future prospects may cause the market price and demand for our common stock to fluctuate substantially, which may limit or prevent investors from realizing the liquidity of their shares.

Our stock price and trading volume has recently been extremely volatile and may be volatile in the future for reasons unrelated to our operating performance or prospects and, as a result, investors in our common stock could incur substantial losses.

Our stock price has recently been extremely volatile and may be volatile in the future. By way of example, on January 22, 2021, the price of our common stock closed at $3.34 per share, and on January 29, 2021, our stock price closed at $64.00 per share with no discernible material announcements or developments relating to our operations. On January 28, 2021, the intra-day sales price of our common stock fluctuated between a reported low sale price of $25.00 and a reported high sales price of $127.45. Additionally, the trading volume in shares of our common stock can vary widely. For example, during the fiscal year ended June 30, 2022, daily trading volume ranged from a low of 15,600 shares on June 24, 2022 to a high of 12.2 million on October 13, 2021. Our market capitalization, as implied by various trading prices, has recently reflected valuations that diverge significantly from those seen prior to recent volatility and that are significantly higher than our market capitalization prior to the recent increase, and to the extent these valuations reflect trading dynamics unrelated to our financial performance or prospects, purchasers of our common stock could incur substantial losses if there are declines in market prices driven by a return to earlier valuations. Additionally, the stock market in general has experienced extreme volatility that has often been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. As a result of this volatility, investors may experience losses on their investment in our common stock.

In the past, following periods of volatility in the market, securities class-action litigation has often been instituted against companies. Such litigation, if instituted against us, could result in substantial costs and diversion of management’s attention and resources, which could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. There can be no guarantee that our stock price will remain at current prices or that future sales of our common stock will not be at prices lower than those sold to investors.

A “short squeeze” due to a sudden increase in demand for shares of our common stock that largely exceeds supply has led to, and may continue to lead to, extreme price volatility in shares of our common stock.

In the recent past, securities of certain companies have experienced significant and extreme volatility in stock price due to a sudden increase in demand for stock resulting in aggregate short positions in the stock exceeding the number of shares available for purchase, forcing investors with short exposure to pay a premium to repurchase shares for delivery to share lenders. This is known as a “short squeeze.” These short squeezes have led to the price per share of those companies to trade at a significantly inflated rate that is disconnected from the underlying value of the company. A large proportion of our common stock has been and may continue to be traded by short sellers which may increase the likelihood that our common stock will be the target of a short squeeze. A short squeeze has led and could continue to lead to volatile price movements in shares of our common stock that are unrelated or disproportionate to our operating performance or prospects and, once investors purchase the shares of our common stock necessary to cover their short positions, the price of our common stock may rapidly decline. Stockholders that purchase shares of our common stock during a short squeeze may lose a significant portion of their investment.

The Koss family, including certain members of our management, own a significant percentage of our stock, and as a result, the trading price for our shares may be depressed and they can take actions that may be adverse to the interests of our stockholders.

Michael Koss, our President and Chief Executive Officer, beneficially owned 4,233,410 shares of our common stock as of August 1, 2022, representing 44.5% of shares outstanding on such date, including shares held by a voting trust over which Mr. Koss holds sole voting and dispositive power. This significant concentration of share ownership may adversely affect the trading price for our common stock because investors may perceive disadvantages in owning stock in companies with a controlling stockholder group. The group can significantly influence all matters requiring approval by our stockholders, including the election and removal of directors and any proposed merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets. In addition, due to his significant ownership stake and his service as our Principal Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board and Directors, Michael Koss controls the management of our business and affairs. This concentration of ownership could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control, or impeding a merger or consolidation, takeover or other business combination that could be favorable to our other stockholders.

Future sales of a substantial amount of our common stock in the public markets by our insiders, or the perception that these sales may occur, may cause the market price of our common stock to decline.

Our employees, directors and officers, and their affiliates, hold substantial amounts of shares of our common stock and have vested options for purchase of our common stock. Sales of a substantial number of such shares by these stockholders, or the perception that such sales will occur, may cause the market price of our common stock to decline. Other than restrictions on trading that arise under securities laws (or pursuant to our securities trading policy that is intended to facilitate compliance with securities laws), including the prohibition on trading in securities by or on behalf of a person who is aware of nonpublic material information, we have no restrictions on the right of our employees, directors and officers, and their affiliates, to sell their unrestricted shares of common stock.

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