Legal Proceedings
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6 Months Ended |
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May 31, 2012
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Legal Proceedings [Abstract] | |
Legal Proceedings |
Note 7– Legal Proceedings On December 16, 2010, the Company filed an action in the Circuit Court in Pinellas County, Florida against Cord Blood America, Inc. (“CBAI”) seeking an injunction against consummation of the proposed acquisition by CBAI of the assets of Cryo-Cell de Mexico, S.A. de C.V. (“CCMEX”), the Company’s exclusive licensee in Mexico. The action is docketed at Civil No. 10-17412-CI-20. The Company believes that the proposed acquisition would violate its License Agreement with CCMEX. CBAI announced on December 8, 2010 that it had entered into a letter of intent for the proposed acquisition with CCMEX on December 3, 2010.
The Company also filed a motion for a temporary injunction. CBAI filed a motion to dismiss on the ground that CCMEX was an indispensable party to the action. After a hearing on January 14, 2011, the court granted the motion to dismiss, allowing the Company to join CCMEX to the action, and setting a hearing on February 25, 2011 on the Company’s motion for an injunction. On January 20, 2011, the Company filed an amended complaint alleging tortuous interference with a business relationship by CBAI, misappropriation of trade secrets and confidential information in violation of the Florida Uniform Trade Secrets Act by CBAI, dilution of trademark in violation of Florida Statute Section 495.151 by CBAI, common law unfair competition against CBAI, breach of license agreement by CCMEX and unfair and deceptive trade practices in violation of the Florida Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practices Act by CCMEX and CBAI. The amended complaint sought damages against CBAI and CCMEX and injunctive relief. After CCMEX was joined to the action, both defendants filed motions to dismiss, and the injunction hearing has been continued. On March 18, 2011, the court granted the motions to dismiss filed by CBAI and CCMEX. The court granted the motion for a rehearing filed by the Company. On September 7, 2011, the court granted the motions to dismiss filed by CBAI and CCMEX. The Company did not file an appeal. In addition, from time to time the Company is subject to proceedings, lawsuits, contract disputes and other claims in the normal course of its business. The Company believes that the ultimate resolution of current matters should not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, consolidated financial position or results of operations. It is possible, however, that there could be an unfavorable ultimate outcome for or resolution which could be material to the Company’s results of operations for a particular quarterly reporting period. Litigation is inherently uncertain and there can be no assurance that the Company will prevail. On May 26, 2011, a complaint for monetary damages was served against the Company. The complaint did not specify the amount claimed, other than stating that it is more than $75,000 which is the jurisdictional amount of the court the complaint was filed in. At this time, it is not possible for the Company to estimate the loss or the range of possible loss, due to the current early stage of the litigation, the meaningful legal uncertainties associated with the claim and the fact that the complaint did not specify the amount of damages sought. No amounts have been accrued as of May 31, 2012 and November 30, 2011. The Company believes it has meritorious defenses to the claims included in this complaint and intends to vigorously defend itself, however, the ultimate resolution of this complaint is uncertain at this time. A trial has been scheduled for February 6, 2013. On October 25, 2011, Mercedes Walton filed a demand for arbitration with the American Arbitration Association. Ms. Walton is claiming breach of her employment agreement and defamation. Ms. Walton is seeking arbitration costs, attorneys’ fees, interest, compensatory, punitive and liquidated damages, as well as injunctive and declaratory relief in the amount of $5,000,000. On August 30, 2011, the newly elected Board of Directors of the Company terminated its Chief Executive Officer and former Chairman of the Board of Directors, Ms. Walton for cause. In accordance with Ms. Walton’s employment agreement dated August 15, 2005, as amended July 16, 2007, Ms. Walton could be entitled to severance in the amount up to $950,000 related to lost salary, bonuses and benefits. In addition, the Company could be required to pay all reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by Ms. Walton as a result of the termination, as well as outplacement services. The Company has recorded an accrual of approximately $950,000 as of May 31, 2012 and November 30, 2011, associated with the agreement. On August 24, 2011, the Board of Directors of the Company approved funding a Grantor trust to escrow the amounts that may become payable to Mercedes Walton under her respective Employment Agreement as a result of a Change in Control (as that term is defined in the respective employment agreements as a majority change in the Company’s Board of Directors). Given the fact that Ms. Walton was terminated for cause, the Company believes that Ms. Walton has not earned the right to this severance and intends to defend itself against this agreement. A hearing is scheduled for February 4, 2013.
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