SEC Company Response from FANTATECH INC (CIK 0000925663) — Aug 9, 2005
FANTATECH INC (CIK 0000925663)
Date: Aug. 9, 2005 · CIK: 0000925663 · Accession: 0001140361-05-005851
AI Filing Summary & Sentiment
File numbers found in text: 000-24374
Referenced dates: July 21, 2005
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FANTAWILD FANTATECH INC.
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
Suite 1A, 18/F, Tower 1, China Hong Kong City, 33 Canton Rd., Tsimshatsui,
Kowloon, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2302 1636 Fax: (852) 2890 8672
August 9, 2005
VIA EDGAR AND FEDERAL EXPRESS
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Securities and Exchange Commission
Division of Corporation Finance
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington DC, 20549
Attn.: Linda Cvrkel
Jean Yu
RE: FANTATECH, INC.
FORM 10-KSB FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004
FILE NO. 000-24374
Ms. Cvrkel and Ms. Yu:
On behalf of Fantatech, Inc. (the "Company"), I have enclosed our replies in
response to the comments received from the staff of the Securities and Exchange
Commission ("Staff") in their letter dated July 21, 2005. Set forth below are
the Company's responses to the Staff's comments. We have reproduced the Staff's
comments and have followed each comment with our response.
Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2004
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Note 3 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
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- Revenue and cost recognition, page F-10
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1. We note your response to prior comment number 13 which indicates that
all parts of game machines, including the software, are essential to the
functionality of the machine in order to provide the designed simulation
effects. Pursuant to paragraph 2 of EITF No. 03-5, in an arrangement that
includes software which is more than incidental to the products or services
as a whole, software and software-related elements are included within the
scope of SOP No. 97-2. In this regard, please
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clarify for us how your revenue recognition policy complies with the
guidance outlined in SOP No. 97-2.
Response:
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The products that the Company manufactures and produces are
hardware-oriented virtual games machines or large size attractions.
Although all of the machines and equipment require software programs to
operate, the software itself is not the focus of the marketing efforts, nor
is it what the customer perceives to obtain. Unlike the online game or home
video game entertainment businesses, the Company's amusement products are
to provide virtual simulation effects, which rely heavily on the design of
the hardware and their resemblance to real life objects.
Players are not looking for sophisticated content-driven
software-oriented games, which are available from online games or home
video games. Instead, from our products, players are seeking audio-visual
and motion integrated simulation effects that resemble real life
experience, such as gun shooting, car racing, water skiing, canoeing, rough
cycling, jet piloting, etc. The simulation technology is used mainly to
transform a traditional joystick (software driven) into various forms of
control means using virtual objects (hardware driven), such as bicycle
paddle, ski and snowboards, machine gun, pilot cabin and dancing mat, etc.
In addition, most of the software is "engraved" into the mother board
of the equipment as "firmware", to which no further installation is
required. The gaming machine is basically "turn-key" equipment, and when
all the hardware components are mounted and installed onto a designated
venue, it can function fully and smoothly without the need to upload or
download any further software versions or updates. No multiple software
deliverables are involved. The customers are unable to copy the software
and such software cannot be used independently or separately from the
machine.
The Company does not engage in the business of licensing, selling,
leasing or otherwise marketing computer software. The software program for
each of the gaming machines or amusement equipment, although it is
essential or critical to its functioning, does not require significant
production, modification or customization. The production costs of such
software are insignificant relative to the other development and production
costs of the machine or equipment as a whole.
After carefully examining the scope and applicability of the Statement
of Position (SOP) 97-2, and based on the aforesaid facts and nature of its
products, the Company does not consider SOP 97-2 applicable to the software
that the Company produces since the development and production costs of the
software as a component of the cost of the gaming machine or equipment is
deemed incidental to the product as a whole.
Accordingly, the Company follows paragraph 8 of SOP 97-2 and
recognizes its revenue from the sales of amusement and entertainment
machines and equipment when the following criteria are met:
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1. Persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists;
2. Delivery has occurred and services have been rendered;
3. The price is fixed or determinable; and
4. Collectibility is probable and reasonably assured.
2. We note your response to prior comment number 14 regarding after sale
services but reissue as your response was not fully responsive. According
to your response to prior comment number 13, there are ongoing
modifications or updates of the software program for those game machines
that are implemented in order to maintain their attractiveness to players.
In this regard, please discuss in greater detail the nature and term of the
after sales service in which you provide updates of software/hardware. Your
response should include but not be limited to, how the after sales service
is sold (i.e. separately or bundled), the length of the service period(s)
and any other types of services also provided in the after sales service
(e.g. repair & maintenance, updates of software/hardware, upgrades,
technical support, etc.). Also, please tell us your revenue recognition
policy for such services. Note that unless you have established
vendor-specific objective evidence for the after sales service in
conformity with paragraph 10 of SOP NO. 97-2, we would expect revenue for
the entire arrangement to be recognized on a ratable basis since you
indicate in your responses to prior comment numbers 13 and 15 that none of
the parts have any independent commercial sales value and no market exists
for the standalone items such as software, hardware installation and other
modified or factory made equipment. Refer to paragraph 12 of SOP No. 97-2.
We may have further comment upon receipt of your response.
Response:
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The description that, "there are on-going modifications or updates of
the software program for those game machines that are implemented in order
to maintain their attractiveness to players", refers to the game machines
that were implemented by the Company in revenue sharing operations, to
which the ownership of the machines continues to remain with the Company.
This is not a post contract service. As a commercial consideration and
business tactic, the Company has not and does not in the future plan to
commit further resources to develop any upgrades, updates or changes to a
particular model of machine that has already been launched and sold.
Modifications and updates to the software program or hardware will be
applied to new versions/models of the machine for the enhancement of
features and functions that can help to enrich the simulation effect and
increase the excitement of the players. The customer is required to
purchase a new model of the machine to obtain new features (hardware or
software) since the Company will not add additional functions or upgrades
to any particular 'old' model of machine, due to the fast changing
characteristics of the hi-tech amusement industry. Furthermore, updating
the look and appearance of a machine is more appealing to the players than
just enhancing the contents of the software program associated with a
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particular model of machine.
Based on the Company's standard sales contract, for all of the
products manufactured and sold by the Company, the only obligation that the
Company is required to fulfill under the terms of the "after sales
services" or "post contract services" (PCS) is to provide a one year
warranty on the functionality of the equipment, which means, in substance,
to provide repair and maintenance services in case of malfunction or
failure. This PCS is included in all of the contracted sales. There is no
right of return, refund or concession under the sales contract once the
product is delivered to and accepted by the customer based on the agreed
specifications. Customers also have no right to request any specified or
unspecified upgrades/enhancements, nor any other services outside the scope
of the aforesaid product warranty.
Also, telephone technical support is only provided to customers
located outside of the PRC (approximately 15 customers). The telephone
support service is actually linked to the marketing activities of the
Company as it is part of the duties of the in house engineers to attend to
calls from potential customers in other countries with technical questions.
The Company provides such service only because the costs involved are
immaterial and the number of customers outside of the PRC is limited.
In respect of the statement that, "updates of software/hardware if
there are newly developed items available for the particular model of
machine", this was an option that the Company originally intended to offer,
in part to provide assurances to any customers who might be concerned that
the Company would sell different features under the same model. However, as
explained earlier, it is more practical and economical for the Company and
its customers to concentrate their efforts and resources on newer features
and models of the game machines, rather than to work on any upgrades or
enhancements to the software/hardware for the fast-obsolescent old models
of game machines. As a result, the Company does not have any historical
patterns of providing any such upgrades or enhancements to any of its
customers, and the Company has not and does not in the future intend to
make available any updated version of software or hardware for a machine
sold to the market. Accordingly, the Company does not expect to provide
such software upgrades or enhancements to its customers in the future
except through the purchase of a new machine.
In general, customers are prepared to accept such narrow warranty
terms and PCS because the prices of the products that the Company sells are
very competitive, costing approximately 20% to 40% of the price charged by
its competitors in western countries.
The Company believes that there is no multiple element arrangement
involved in the Company's sales. As mentioned in the previous response to
comment number 14, most of the hardware, control systems and mechanics are
comparatively durable, and the costs or expenses associated with the
warranty services are relatively low and are charged to the statements of
operations when incurred. The Company determined that a warranty reserve
was not considered necessary based on historical information regarding the
immaterial dollar value of annual warranty costs. During 2004 and 2003, the
Company incurred $6,187 and
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$6,440, respectively, for the provision of services and parts used to meet
the after sales warranty obligations.
Accordingly, the Company recognizes its PCS revenue together with the
product revenue on delivery since the warranty is for one year and the
estimated cost of providing such PCS under the contract is not material,
and there is no commitment or obligation by the Company for
upgrades/enhancements or other multiple deliverable elements involved.
The Company proposes to further change its revenue recognition policy
in its future filing as follows:
Revenue and cost recognition
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The Company principally derives its revenue from (1-a) the sale of
entertainment and amusement products, and (1-b) long term contracts related
to the design, manufacturing and assembling of 4-D screen system,
simulation amusement equipment, large-size attraction and (2) admission
fees generated from revenue sharing operations.
Revenue is recognized when the following four criteria are met:
1) persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists,
2) delivery has occurred or services have been rendered,
3) the price is fixed, and
4) collectibility is reasonably assured.
(1-a) Sale of entertainment and amusement products
Revenue from the sale of entertainment and amusement products is
recognized when the products are delivered to the customers, installed and
tested. Revenue is adjusted for any reduction in sales due to change in
product specification or sales discounts offered to the customers. The
Company did not record any sales discounts for the years ended December 31,
2004 and 2003.
(1-b) Long-term construction contract revenue and costs
Long-term construction contract revenue and costs are recognized as
revenue and expenses in the statement of operations by reference to the
stage of completion of a contract (i.e. the percentage of completion
method) when the outcome of the contract can be estimated reliably. The
stage of completion of a contract is determined based on the proportion of
costs incurred at the balance sheet date compared to total estimated costs.
A loss on a contract is recognized as an expense immediately when it is
probable that total contract costs will exceed total the contract revenue.
Costs attributable to unpriced change orders would be treated as costs
of contract performance in the period in which the costs are incurred if it
is not probable that the costs will be recovered through a change in the
contract price. If it is probable that the costs will be recovered through
a change in the contract price, those costs would be treated as costs of
contract performance in the period in whic