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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

(Mark One)

x	QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
	For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2002
	OR
o	TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934.
	For the transition period from       to

Commission file number 000-26427

Address of Principal Executive Offices:
3420 Ocean Park Boulevard, Suite 1040
Santa Monica, California 90405
Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (310) 581-7200
Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report: N/A

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No o

     The registrant does not have different classes of common stock. As of November 8, 2002, there were approximately 48,852,973 shares of the registrant’s common stock issued and outstanding.

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STAMPS.COM INC.

FORM 10-Q QUARTERLY REPORT FOR THE QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2002

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PART I.

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

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STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

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STAMPS.COM INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(ALL INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 AND 2001 IS UNAUDITED)

1. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by the Company, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although the Company believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. It is suggested that these condensed financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s latest annual report on Form 10-K.

In the opinion of the Company, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary to present fairly the financial position of Stamps.com Inc. and subsidiaries as of September 30, 2002, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the three months then ended.

Principles of Consolidation

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Stamps.com Inc. and its subsidiaries, which, for the Company’s 2001 fiscal year, include iShip.com, Inc. and EncrypTix, Inc. During 2001, the Company sold its iShip subsidiary and EncrypTix ceased operations and effected a general assignment of its assets for the benefit of its creditors. The Company held approximately a 66 2/3% equity interest and a greater than 90% voting interest in EncrypTix at December 31, 2000. Because of the voting control and liquidation preferences held by the Company, for prior periods the Company had consolidated 100% of the losses of EncrypTix and the Company experienced a one time gain in 2001 to eliminate the cumulative losses allocated to the minority shareholders from EncrypTix (see Note 3). All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Use of Estimates and Risk Management

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates and such differences may be material to the financial statements.

The Company is involved in various litigation matters as a claimant and a defendant. The Company records any amounts recovered in these matters when received. The company records liabilities for claims against it when the loss is probable and estimatable. Amounts recorded are based on reviews by outside counsel, in-house counsel and management. Actual results could differ from estimates.

Reclassifications

Certain prior period balances have been reclassified in order to conform to current period presentation.

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(ALL INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 AND 2001 IS UNAUDITED)

2. The Acquisition, Investment in and Sale of Subsidiary

On March 7, 2000, the Company completed the acquisition of iShip.com, Inc. (“iShip”), a development stage enterprise that developed Internet-based shipping technology. The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase in accordance with the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 16 and under the purchase method of accounting, the purchase price was allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition.

On March 2, 2001, United Parcel Service, Inc. and Mail Boxes Etc. USA, Inc. (MBE) jointly announced that United Parcel Service, Inc. would acquire MBE. MBE represented a significant future source of revenue and market leverage for the Company’s enterprise shipping services that were acquired in the iShip acquisition. United Parcel Service, Inc. also informed the Company that it is unlikely to have MBE continue to use the Company’s enterprise shipping services in the future. As a result of the March 2001 events, the Company reduced goodwill and other intangibles associated with the purchase of iShip to estimated net realizable value. This resulted in a non-cash charge of $163.6 million in the first quarter of 2001.

On May 18, 2001, the Company completed the sale of its iShip multi-carrier shipping service assets to United Parcel Service, Inc. for $2.8 million. The difference between the sale price of iShip and the assets value attributed to iShip by the Company resulted in non-cash charge of $9.1 million in the second quarter of 2001. Additional legal costs associated with the sale of iShip in the amount of $300,000 were charged in the third quarter of 2001 resulting in a total charge of $9.4 million in 2001.

3. Change in Ownership and Shut-down of Subsidiary

On November 16, 1999, the Company announced the formation of a subsidiary, EncrypTix, Inc. (EncrypTix), to develop secure printing opportunities in the events, travel and financial services industries. In February 2000, the Company invested $1.0 million and granted EncrypTix a license to the Company’s technology in those three specific fields of use. During the first half of 2000, the Company sold approximately 42% of EncrypTix, until then a wholly owned subsidiary, in a private financing of approximately $34.8 million. The financing was completed in April 2000.

On March 12, 2001, EncrypTix ceased operations and effected a general assignment of its assets for the benefit of its creditors. EncrypTix took this action due to the inability to secure additional funding. The Company does not expect to be impacted by any of EncrypTix’s resulting liabilities. Additionally, the Company terminated its license agreement with EncrypTix and maintains limited licenses to various EncrypTix intellectual property. Due to this cessation in business, the Company wrote off the invested $1.0 million and took a one-time gain to eliminate the cumulative losses in excess of its investment in EncrypTix in the amount of $23.2 million in the first quarter of 2001.

4. Restructuring

In October 2000, the Company’s management approved and implemented a restructuring plan as part of a move to streamline operations, reduce infrastructure and overhead and eliminate excess and duplicative facilities. As a result, the Company went through three rounds of workforce reductions which reduced its total number of employees by approximately 400 from locations and departments across the Company.

In addition to the reduction of employees, the Company’s restructuring plan includes costs associated with the termination of fixed-cost marketing deals and the redeployment of sales and marketing expenditures to programs that have a higher return on investment, losses on the disposition and discontinuation of certain fixed assets, the estimated rent and expenses for unoccupied facilities between the reduction in force date and the estimated date of occupancy by a sublet tenant and the write-off of an investment in EncrypTix.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(ALL INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 AND 2001 IS UNAUDITED)

The remaining unutilized provision as of December 31, 2001 was $2.6 million and was comprised of the remaining estimated rent and expenses for unoccupied facilities between the reduction in force date and the estimated date of occupancy by a sublet tenant. During the nine months ended September 30, 2002, the Company utilized $2.3 million of this provision for an ending balance of $301,000 at September 30, 2002. The remaining provision of $301,000 is included in accrued expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet.

5. Legal Proceedings

Please refer to “Part II — Other Information — Item 1 — Legal Proceedings” of this report for a discussion of legal proceedings.

6. Computation of Historical Net Loss Per Share

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing the net earnings available to common stockholders for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by dividing the net earnings for the period by the weighted average number of common and common equivalent shares outstanding during the period.

Common equivalent shares, consisting of unvested restricted common stock and incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options and warrants and upon conversion of convertible preferred stock, are excluded from the diluted earnings per share calculation as their effect is anti-dilutive.

7. Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Effective January 1, 2002, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 142 (“SFAS 142”), “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets.” In accordance with SFAS 142, the Company is required to discontinue goodwill amortization. The Company wrote off all of its goodwill in the first quarter of 2001. The Company’s other intangible assets, which consist of patents with a gross carrying amount of $7.8 million and accumulated amortization of $1.6 million at September 30, 2002, continue to be amortized over their expected useful lives ranging from 4 to 17 years.

Aggregate amortization expense on patents was approximately $277,000 and $278,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, respectively. Amortization expense is expected to be approximately $1.1 million in each of the next five fiscal years.

The following table presents net income on a comparable basis, after adjustment for goodwill amortization (in thousands, except per share amounts):

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(ALL INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 AND 2001 IS UNAUDITED)

8. Comprehensive Income (Loss)

The following table provides the data required to calculate comprehensive income (in thousands):

9. Stock Repurchase Programs

In April 2002, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase plan authorizing the repurchase of up to $20 million in common stock over a six-month period. The Company repurchased 1.3 million shares of common stock for $5.6 million during the six-month period. The Company has retired these repurchased shares.

In October 2002, the Company announced that its Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase plan authorizing the repurchase of up to $30 million in common stock over the ensuing six-month period.

10. Related Party Transactions

In February 2000, John M. Payne (former Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and director) purchased 187,000 shares of the Company’s common stock on the open market for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $6.0 million. Mr. Payne purchased the shares on margin and the margin account was secured by a pledge of 1,467,500 shares of the Company’s common stock held by Mr. Payne. As of October 31, 2000, Mr. Payne’s total indebtedness under the margin account was approximately $6.7 million. In April 2000, the Company agreed to guarantee Mr. Payne’s margin account in the event the value of the shares pledged was insufficient collateral to secure the indebtedness outstanding under the margin account. This line of credit was secured by all of Mr. Payne’s assets.

In November 2000, Mr. Payne executed a promissory note in favor of the Company in the amount of $6.6 million. The payment of the note was secured by a pledge of all shares of the Company’s common stock and all shares of EncrypTix, Inc. held by Mr. Payne. The entire principal balance and all accrued and unpaid interest was due and payable on June 30, 2001.

In December 2000 the Company established a reserve of $3,346,000 related to the note receivable from Mr. Payne. The reserve was calculated as the difference between the note’s carrying value, $6,527,000, and the underlying value of the stock on December 31, 2000, $3,181,000 ($2.78 per share).

In May 2002, the Company received 1,411,000 shares of the Company’s common stock from Mr. Payne as payment in full of the promissory note executed in November 2000. The shares were recorded at cost as treasury stock in the quarter ended June 30, 2002 for the full value of notes receivable from Mr. Payne, net of reserve in the amount of $3,282,000 ($2.33 per share) and subsequently retired in the quarter ended September 30, 2002.

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(ALL INFORMATION WITH RESPECT TO SEPTEMBER 30, 2002 AND 2001 IS UNAUDITED)

11. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations” and SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. SFAS No. 141 requires business combinations initiated after June 30, 2001 to be accounted for using the purchase method of accounting, and broadens the criteria for recording intangible assets separate from goodwill. SFAS No. 142 requires the use of a non-amortization approach to account for purchased goodwill and certain intangibles. Under a non-amortization approach, goodwill and certain intangibles will not be amortized into results of operations, but instead would be reviewed for impairment and written down and charged to results of operations only in the periods in which the recorded value of goodwill and certain intangibles is more than its fair value. The adoption of SFAS No. 141 and SFAS No. 142 on January 1, 2002, did not have a material impact on the financial position or results of operations of the Company.

The FASB also recently issued SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets”, applicable to financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2001. The FASB’s new rules on asset impairment supersede SFAS No. 121, “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of”, and portions of Accounting Principles Bulletin Opinion 30, “Reporting the Results of Operations”. This Standard provides a single accounting model for long-lived assets to be disposed of and significantly changes the criteria that would have to be met to classify an asset as held-for-sale. Classification as held-for-sale is an important distinction since such assets are not depreciated and are stated at the lower of fair value and carrying amount. This Standard also requires expected future operating losses from discontinued operations to be displayed in the period(s) in which the losses are incurred, rather than as of the measurement date as presently required. The adoption of the provision of this Standard on January 1, 2002 did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position or operating results.

In June 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, “Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities”, effective for exit or disposal activities that are initiated after December 31, 2002. SFAS No. 146 addresses financial accounting and reporting for costs associated with exit or disposal activities and nullifies Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 94-3, “Liability Recognition for Certain Employee Termination Benefits and Other Costs to Exit an Activity (including Certain Costs Incurred in a Restructuring)” and requires that a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity be recognized when the liability is incurred and not at the date of an entity’s commitment to an exit plan. The Company expects that the adoption of SFAS No. 146 will not have a material impact on its financial position or its results of operations.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements relate to expectations concerning matters that are not historical facts. Words such as “projects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “plans,” “expects,” “intends,” and similar words and expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although Stamps.com believes that such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot assure you that such expectations will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such expectations are disclosed herein including, without limitation, in the “Risk Factors” beginning on page 13. All forward-looking statements attributable to Stamps.com are expressly qualified in their entirety by such language. Stamps.com does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements. You are also urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures we have made which describe certain factors which affect our business, including the risk factors set forth at the end of Part I, Item 2 of this Report. The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and the related notes thereto.

Stamps.com, NetStamps, Stamps.com Internet postage and the Stamps.com logo are our trademarks. This Report also includes trademarks of entities other than Stamps.com.

Overview

Stamps.com™ provides easy, convenient and cost-effective Internet-based services for mailing letters or shipping packages or parcels anywhere in the United States at anytime. Our core mailing and shipping service is designed to allow individual consumers, home offices or small businesses to print US postage or shipping labels using any ordinary PC, any ordinary inkjet or laser printer, and an Internet connection.

Internet Postage Services

We offer an Internet postage service targeted at consumers, home offices and small businesses. Service fee revenues for our Internet postage service are generated from a monthly convenience fee that we charge our customers, under two different pricing plans. Under the Simple Plan, a user purchases and prints postage at face value for a monthly convenience fee of 10% of the value of postage printed with a monthly minimum of $4.49. Under the Power Plan, a customer may purchase and use unlimited postage at face value, for a flat monthly fee that ranges from $15.99 to $18.99. Our ending Power Plan customers for the third quarter of 2002 were 50,400, up from 48,100 at the end of the second quarter of 2002 and up from 45,600 at the end of the third quarter 2001. We ended the third quarter of 2002 with approximately 281,000 active customers, up from approximately 277,000 at the end of the second quarter of 2002 and down from 285,000 customers at the end of the third quarter of 2001. The increase in customers during the third quarter of 2002 was a primarily related to a reduction in trial and base churn attributable in large part to our introduction to NetStamps. The year over year decline in customers was a result of limited customer acquisition spending during the fourth quarter of 2001 and the first and second quarters of 2002.

Recent Developments

On July 17, 2002, we launched NetStamps™, a new form of PC Postage that can be used just like regular stamps. The NetStamps feature allows customers to print sheets of generic postage that are not tied to a destination address and have no expiration date on any ordinary inkjet or laser printer. Since the launch in July 2002, we have seen a reduction in trial and base churn as well as increased revenues resulting from the sale of the special NetStamps labels.

The launch of NetStamps is a critical step in our plans to transform our product into a far easier, simpler and more compelling offering for the customer by reducing the time and effort required to become a Stamps.com customer and enhancing the overall experience.

On July 25, 2002, Jeffrey J. Brown resigned from our board of directors.

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Critical Accounting Policies

General. Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based on our consolidated financial statements which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to patents, restructuring, and contingencies and litigation. We base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

We believe that the estimates, assumptions and judgments involved in the accounting policies described below have the greatest potential impact on our financial statements, so we consider these to be our critical accounting policies. Because of the uncertainty inherent in these matters, actual results could differ from the estimates we use in applying the critical accounting policies. These policies require that we make estimates in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements.

Restructuring. We have recorded reserves in connection with restructuring programs. These reserves include estimates pertaining to employee separation costs and the settlements of contractual obligations resulting from our actions. Although we do not anticipate significant changes, the actual costs may differ from these estimates.

Patents and Intangibles. We make estimates of the useful lives of our patents and other amortizable intangibles. These estimates are made using various assumptions that could change as economic and competitive conditions change. If events were to occur that would cause our assumptions to change, the amounts recorded as amortization would be adjusted.

Contingencies and Litigation. We are involved in various litigation matters as a claimant and as defendant. We record any amounts recovered in these matters when collection is certain. We record liabilities for claims against us when the losses are probable and estimatable. Any amounts recorded would be based on reviews by outside counsel, in-house counsel and management. Actual results may differ from estimates. See (Note 5) of Notes to Financial Statements.

Results of Operations

Revenue. Revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2002 was solely generated from the postage business due to the divestiture of the shipping operation in May of 2001. Revenue for the quarter includes monthly convenience fees, on-line store revenue, NetStamps label sales and advertising revenue. Revenue from the postage business for the three months ending September 30, 2002 was down 12% year over year to $4.0 million from $4.6 million in the third quarter ending September 30, 2001 primarily due to a decline in billable customers and a reduction of on-line store revenues. Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 decreased to $11.8 million from $14.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2001 primarily due to divestiture of the shipping operation in May of 2001 and the lower billable customer numbers noted above.

Cost of Revenues. Cost of revenues principally consists of customer service, promotional expenses, system operating costs and NetStamps fulfillment costs. Cost of revenues was $1.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002, compared to $2.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2001. Cost of revenues was $3.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002, compared to $7.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2001. The decrease in cost of revenues primarily related to reduced labor costs in our customer support and system operations, reduced promotional expenses and divestiture of the shipping operation in May of 2001.

Sales and Marketing. Sales and marketing expense principally consists of costs associated with strategic partnership relationships and compensation and related expenses for personnel engaged in marketing and business development activities. Sales and marketing expense was $721,000 compared to $1.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, respectively. Sales and marketing expense was $1.7 million compared to $8.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The decrease in sales and marketing expense resulted from fewer sales and marketing personnel, lower customer acquisition levels, as well as a more focused spend of discretionary marketing dollars on programs that we feel will provide us with a higher return on investment.

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Research and Development. Research and development expense principally consists of compensation for personnel involved in the development of our Internet postage services, expenditures for consulting services and third-party software expenses. Research and development expense for the three months ended September 30, 2002 was $1.2 million compared to $1.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2001. Research and development expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 was $3.6 million compared to $7.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2001. The decrease in research and development expense was primarily due to increased cost control efforts, a reduction in research and development headcount and more focused spending on our core business technology.

General and Administrative. General and administrative expense principally consists of compensation and related costs for executive and administrative personnel, fees for legal and other professional services, and depreciation of equipment and software used for general corporate purposes. General and administrative expense for the three months ended September 30, 2002 increased to $4.3 million as compared to $3.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2001 as a result of increased legal expenditures related to our current litigation. Please refer to “Part II — Other Information — Item 1 — Legal Proceedings” of this report for a discussion of legal proceedings. General and administrative expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001 was $12.0 million and $16.4 million, respectively. The decrease in year over year expense was primarily due to increased cost control efforts and our reduction in administrative headcount.

Amortization and write-off of goodwill and other intangibles. On May 18, 2001, we completed the sale of our iShip multi-carrier shipping service assets to United Parcel Service for $2.8 million. The difference between the sale price of iShip and the asset value attributed to iShip by us resulted in a non-cash charge of $321,000 in the third quarter of 2001. The third quarter charge of $321,000 was in addition to the non-cash charge of $163.6 million recorded in the first quarter of 2001 and $9.1 million recorded in the second quarter of 2001 related to our reduction of goodwill and other intangibles associated with the purchase of iShip.

Restructuring and Write-down Charges. During the third quarter of 2001 we continued to make cost cutting efforts, including the termination of fixed-cost marketing deals and the redeployment of sales and marketing expenditures to programs that we feel will have a higher return on investment. We took a charge in the third quarter of 2001 of $250,000 consisting of restructuring employee severance, fixed asset write- offs and lease obligations for discontinued office space, and a credit of $1.7 million resulting from a better-than-expected outcome on the termination of certain contractual arrangements. Restructuring and writedown charges for the nine months ending September 30, 2001 was $25.4 million consisting of $22.7 million in restructuring employee severance, fixed asset write-offs and lease obligations for discontinued office space, $1.7 million related to the termination of certain contractual arrangements and $1.0 million related to the write-off of an investment in EncrypTix.

Deferred Compensation Amortization. During 1998 and 1999, we granted stock options with exercise prices that were less than the estimated fair value of the underlying shares of common stock for accounting purposes on the date of grant. This results in amortization expenses of deferred compensation over the period that these options vest, which ranges from three to four years from the date of grant. Deferred compensation amortization for the three months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001 was $9,000 and $319,000, respectively. Deferred compensation amortization for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001 was $284,000 and $2.5 million, respectively. This decrease was a result of fewer personnel at Stamps.com following our 2001 reductions in force as well as the sale of our iShip multi-carrier shipping service in May 2001.

Loss from EncrypTix. On March 12, 2001, EncrypTix ceased operations and effected a general assignment of its assets for the benefit of its creditors. EncrypTix took this action due to the inability to secure additional funding. We have not and do not expect to be impacted by any of EncrypTix’s resulting liabilities. Additionally, we terminated our license agreement with EncrypTix and maintain limited licenses to various EncrypTix intellectual property. The loss associated with the operation of our EncrypTix subsidiary was $5.6 million recorded in the first quarter of 2001.

Other Income (Expense). Other income (expense) primarily consists of interest income from cash equivalents and short and long term investments, less interest expense related to financing obligations. Other income (expense) for the three months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001 was $1.4 million and $2.4 million, respectively. This decrease is due to declining interest rates and a reduction in the amount of capital invested. Other income (expense) for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001 was $4.2 million and $32.0 million, respectively. This decrease was a reflection of the one-time gain related to the shutdown of EncrypTix in the first quarter of 2001 and to declining interest rates and a reduction in the amount of capital invested.

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2002, we had approximately $190.2 million cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, short-term and long-term investments. We invest available funds in short and long term money market funds, commercial paper, corporate notes and municipal securities and do not engage in hedging or speculative activities.

In May 1999, we entered into a facility lease agreement for our then corporate headquarters with aggregate lease payments of approximately $4.8 million through May 2004. In March 2000, we entered into a facility lease agreement for a Bellevue, Washington facility with aggregate lease payments of approximately $17.0 million. In January 2002, we exited the Bellevue, Washington facility lease with exit payments of approximately $555,000 in December 2001 and $647,000 in January 2002. We are continuing to actively market all remaining excess space that resulted from our restructurings in 2000 and 2001.

In April 2002, the Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase plan authorizing the repurchase of up to $20 million in common stock over a six-month period. We repurchased 1.3 million shares of common stock for $5.6 million during the six month period.

In October 2002, the Board of Directors approved a new stock repurchase plan authorizing the repurchase of up to $30 million in common stock over the ensuing six-month period.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $2.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 as compared to net cash used in operating activities of $36.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2001. The change to net cash provided by operating activities from net cash used in operating activities resulted primarily from our cost-cutting activities, including the restructuring that took place in 2001, and collections of outstanding receivable balances.

Net cash used in investing activities was $41.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 as compared to net cash provided by investing activities of $87.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2001. The increase in net cash used in investing activities resulted primarily from the purchase of short-term and long-term investments during 2002.

Net cash used in financing activities was $4.0 million and $8.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2002 and 2001, respectively. The decrease in cash used in financing activities resulted primarily from the completion of capital lease obligations during the first quarter of 2002.

In consideration of our current business plan, we anticipate that our current cash balances will be sufficient to fund our operations through 2003 and beyond.

RISK FACTORS

You should carefully consider the following risks and the other information in this report and our other filings with the SEC before you decide to invest in our company or to maintain or increase your investment. The risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing Stamps.com. Additional risks and uncertainties may also adversely impact and impair our business. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, results of operations or financial condition would likely suffer. In that case, the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.

This report contains forward-looking statements based on the current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about Stamps.com and the Internet industry. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements as a result of many factors, including those described in this section and elsewhere in this report. Stamps.com does not undertake to update publicly any forward-looking statements for any reason, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future.

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Risks Related to Our Business

We may not successfully implement strategies to increase the adoption of our Internet postage service which would limit our growth, adversely affect our business and cause the price of our common stock to decline.

Our future profitability will depend, in part, on our ability to successfully implement our strategy of increasing the adoption of our Internet postage service. If revenues or operating results fall below the expectations of investors or public market analysts, the price of our common stock could decline substantially. Other factors that might cause our revenues, margins and operating results to fluctuate include the factors described in the subheadings below as well as: (a) the costs of our marketing programs to establish and promote the Stamps.com brands; (b) the costs of defending ourselves in litigation; (c) the demand for our Internet postage; (d) our ability to develop and maintain strategic distribution relationships; (e) the number, timing and significance of new products or services introduced by us and by our competitors; (f) our ability to develop, market and introduce new and enhanced services on a timely basis; (g) the level of service and price competition; (h) the increases in our operating expenses; (i) US Postal Service regulation and policies relating to Internet Postage; and (j) general economic factors.

Our cost of revenues includes costs for systems operations, customer service, data connectivity fees and security services; all of these costs will fluctuate depending upon the demand for our services. In addition, a substantial portion of our operating expenses is related to personnel costs, marketing programs and overhead, which cannot be adjusted quickly and are therefore relatively fixed in the short term. Our operating expense levels are based, in significant part, on our expectations of future revenues. If our expenses precede increased revenues, both gross margins and results of operations would be materially and adversely affected.

Due to the foregoing factors and the other risks discussed in this annual report, you should not rely on period-to-period comparisons of our operating results as an indication of future performance.

We have a history of losses, expect to incur losses in the future and may never achieve profitability, which may reduce the trading price of our common stock.

Since we began operations in 1998, we have incurred substantial operating losses in every period. As a result of accumulated operating losses, we had an accumulated deficit of $488.6 million as of September 30, 2002. We expect to continue to incur significant sales and marketing, research and development, and administrative expenses and therefore could continue to experience net losses and negative cash flows for several years, and perhaps for the duration of our corporate existence. For the nine months ended September 30, 2002, we generated $11.8 million in revenues which resulted in an operating loss of $9.7 million for that period. There are no guarantees that we will reach, or be able to maintain, profitability in the future.

Overall, we will need to generate significant revenues and successfully implement our new business strategy to achieve and maintain profitability.

We implemented pricing plans that may adversely affect our future revenues and profitability.

Our ability to generate gross margins depends upon the ability to generate significant revenues from a large base of active customers. In order to attract customers in the future, we may run special promotions and offers such as discounts on fees, postage and supplies. We cannot be sure that customers will be receptive to future fee structures and special promotions that we may implement. Even if we are able to establish a sizeable base of users, we still may not generate sufficient gross margins to become profitable. In addition, our ability to generate revenues or achieve profitability could be adversely affected by the special promotions or additional changes to our pricing plans.

If our business strategy is not successful, our financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected.

Our current business strategy is focused on enhancing our core business of Internet postage services. This business strategy entails risks relating to our ability to attract our targeted customers to offset potential customer losses in other areas as a result of our reduction of fixed-cost marketing arrangements and the reduction of our marketing spending generally. There is no guarantee we will be able to effectively or efficiently implement our business strategy or that, if effectively implemented, our strategy will help us achieve profitability. Failure to execute our

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plan to attract new customers in high margin lines of business in significant numbers will adversely effect our financial condition and results of operations.

Recent personnel changes may interfere with our operations.

For the year ended December 31, 2001, we experienced significant changes at the senior management level. In August 2001, Ken McBride was appointed as our new President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. McBride, who has also served as our Chief Financial Officer since October 2000, replaced Bruce Coleman who held the position of Chief Executive Officer on an interim basis. In August 2001, Marvin Runyon resigned from our board of directors and Vice President of Marketing Kathy Brush left Stamps.com. In the quarter ended June 30, 2002, we experienced change at the board of directors level. Loren E. Smith finished his term on the board of directors in June 2002. Lloyd I. Miller was appointed to the board of directors in April 2002. On July 25, 2002, Jeffrey J. Brown resigned from our board of directors. If we fail to attract members to, or retain members on, our board of directors, our business, financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected.

If we do not successfully attract and retain skilled personnel for permanent management and other key personnel positions, we may not be able to effectively implement our business plan.

Our success depends largely on the skills, experience and performance of the members of our senior management and other key personnel. Any of the individuals can terminate his or her employment with us at any time. If we lose additional key employees and are unable to replace them with qualified individuals, our business and operating results could be seriously harmed. In addition, our future success will depend largely on our ability to continue attracting and retaining highly skilled personnel. As a result, we may be unable to successfully attract, assimilate or retain qualified personnel. Further, we may be unable to retain the employees we currently employ or attract additional personnel. The failure to attract and retain the necessary personnel could seriously harm our business, financial condition and results of operations.

The success of our business will depend upon acceptance by customers of our Internet postage services.

We expect that our Internet postage services will generate virtually all of our future revenues. Accordingly, we depend heavily on the commercial acceptance of our Internet postage services. To date, a substantial market for Internet postage has not developed, and we cannot assure you that it will develop. More specifically, we cannot predict if our target customers will choose the Internet as a means of purchasing postage, or if customers will be willing to pay a fee to use our service, or if potential users will select our system over our competitors’ systems or over alternative methods such as online invoicing, bill payment and financial transactions.

If we fail to effectively market and sell our Internet postage service, our business will be substantially harmed and could fail.

In order to acquire customers and achieve wide distribution and use of our services, we must develop and execute cost-effective marketing campaigns and sales programs. However, as a result of our limited marketing and sales activities, we cannot predict our ability to attract customers for our services, and we may fail to generate significant interest in any of our services. Furthermore, we may be unable to generate significant interest in our services in a cost-effective manner. If we fail to generate interest in our services or to acquire customers in a cost-effective manner, our results of operations will be adversely affected.

If we fail to meet the demands of our customers, our business will be substantially harmed and could fail.

Our Internet postage services must meet the commercial demands of our customers, which range from individuals to small businesses. We cannot be sure that our services will appeal to or be adopted by a wide range of customers. Moreover, our ability to obtain and retain customers depends on our customer service capabilities. If we are unable at any time to address customer service issues adequately or to provide a satisfactory customer experience for current or potential customers, our business and reputation may be harmed. If we fail to meet the demands of our customers or if our customers implement and employ our services more slowly than we expect, our business, results of operation and ability to achieve profitability will be negatively affected.

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Success by Pitney Bowes in its suits against us alleging patent infringement could prevent us from offering our Internet postage services and severely harm our business or cause it to fail.

On June 16, 1999, Pitney Bowes sued us for alleged patent infringement in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. The suit originally alleged that we are infringing two patents held by Pitney Bowes related to postage application systems and electronic indicia. The suit seeks treble damages, a preliminary and permanent injunction from further alleged infringement, attorneys’ fees and other unspecified damages. We answered the complaint on August 6, 1999, denying the allegations of patent infringement and asserting a number of affirmative defenses. Pitney Bowes filed a similar complaint in early June 1999 against E-Stamp Corporation, alleging infringement of seven Pitney Bowes patents. On April 13, 2000, Pitney Bowes asked the court for permission to amend its complaint to drop allegations of patent infringement with respect to one patent and to add allegations of patent infringement with respect to three other patents. On July 28, 2000 the court entered Pitney Bowes’ amended complaint. On June 18, 2001, E-Stamp and Pitney Bowes agreed to settle their litigation.

On September 18, 2000 Pitney Bowes filed another patent infringement lawsuit against us in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, alleging that we are infringing four patents owned by Pitney Bowes related to multi-carrier shipping. The suit sought unspecified damages and a permanent injunction from further alleged infringement. We answered the complaint on December 1, 2000, denying the allegations of patent infringement and asserting a number of affirmative defenses. The United Parcel Service acquired our iShip multi-carrier shipping service assets on May 18, 2001. On September 4, 2001, the court granted our motion to transfer the lawsuit to the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. On April 18, 2002, the claim that we are infringing one of the patents was dismissed with prejudice. On June 20, 2002, all remaining claims in the lawsuit were dismissed without prejudice.

On June 14, 2001, we filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Pitney Bowes in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleging that Pitney Bowes infringes four patents we own. On January 7, 2002, the court granted Pitney Bowes’ motion to transfer the lawsuit to the United States District Court for the District of Delaware.

Stamps.com’s claims that Pitney Bowes ClickStamp Online and six of the Pitney Bowes DM Series Mailing Systems infringe our patents and Pitney Bowes’ claims that Stamps.com Internet Postage infringes their patents are scheduled for a May 7, 2003, pre-trial conference, Markman hearing and hearing on dispositive motions.

The outcome of our litigation against Pitney Bowes is uncertain. Therefore, we can give no assurance that Pitney Bowes will not prevail in its suits against us. Success by Pitney Bowes in its suits against us alleging patent infringement could prevent us from offering our Internet postage services and severely harm our business or cause it to fail. In addition, the litigation could result in significant expenses and diversion of management time and other resources.

Success by Cybershop in its suit against us seeking damages and recognition of its ownership of the domain name stamps.com could prevent us from using the domain name stamps.com and could require a change of name of the Company, severely harming our business or causing it to fail.

On December 13, 2000, Cybershop (a British Columbia, Canada partnership) and its general partners filed suit against us in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, alleging that in 1998 a third party fraudulently transferred ownership of the Internet domain name “stamps.com” away from Cybershop and subsequently transferred it to us. The third party is also a named defendant in the suit. The complaint seeks legal resolution and recognition of Cybershop’s ownership of the “stamps.com” domain name and seeks unspecified monetary damages against the third party. On January 9, 2001, we filed a motion to dismiss the suit. On February 16, 2001, Cybershop filed an amended complaint, alleging new causes of action, including conversion, invasion of privacy, trespass, and private nuisance, and seeking declaratory judgment for return of the domain name registration to Cybershop. Cybershop later filed third and fourth amended complaints. On February 13, 2002, the court granted our summary judgment motion and dismissed all of Cybershop’s pending claims against us with prejudice. On September 25, 2002, the Court granted part of Cybershop’s motion asking the court to reconsider its decision. Cybershop’s one surviving claim against us, for quiet title in the domain name “stamps.com,” is scheduled for docket call on December 6, 2002.

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The final outcome of the litigation is uncertain, and we can give no assurance that Cybershop and its general partners will not prevail. Success by Cybershop in its suit against us seeking damages and recognition of its ownership of the domain name stamps.com could prevent us from using the domain name stamps.com and could require a change of name of the Company, severely harming our business or causing it to fail.

Third party assertions of violations of their intellectual property rights could adversely affect our business.

Substantial litigation regarding intellectual property rights exists in our industry. Third parties may currently have, or may eventually be issued, patents upon which our products or technology infringe. Any of these third parties might make a claim of infringement against us. We may become increasingly aware of, or we may increasingly receive correspondence claiming, potential infringement of other parties’ intellectual property rights. We could incur significant costs and diversion of management time and resources to defend claims against us regardless of their validity. We may not have adequate resources to defend against these claims and any associated costs and distractions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, litigation in which we are accused of infringement might cause product development delays, require us to develop non-infringing technology or require us to enter into royalty or license agreements, which might not be available on acceptable terms, or at all. If a successful claim of infringement were made against us and we could not develop non-infringing technology or license the infringed or similar technology on a timely and cost- effective basis, our business could be significantly harmed or fail. Any loss resulting from intellectual property litigation could severely limit our operations, cause us to pay license fees, or prevent us from doing business.

A failure to protect our own intellectual property could harm our competitive position.

We rely on a combination of patent, trade secret, copyright and trademark laws and contractual restrictions, like confidentiality agreements and licenses, to establish and protect our rights in our products, services, know-how and information. We have 43 issued US patents, 58 pending US patent applications, 12 international patents and 23 pending international patent applications. We also have a number of registered and unregistered trademarks. We plan to apply for more patents in the future. We may not receive patents for any of our patent applications. Even if patents are issued to us, claims issued in these patents may not protect our technology. In addition, a court might hold any of our patents, trademarks or service marks invalid or unenforceable. Even if our patents are upheld or are not challenged, third parties may develop alternative technologies or products without infringing our patents. If our patents fail to protect our technology or our trademarks and service marks are successfully challenged, our competitive position could be harmed. We also generally enter into confidentiality agreements with our employees, consultants and other third parties to control and limit access and disclosure of our confidential information. These contractual arrangements or other steps taken to protect our intellectual property may not prove to be sufficient to prevent misappropriation of technology or deter independent third party development of similar technologies. Additionally, the laws of foreign countries may not protect our services or intellectual property rights to the same extent as do the laws of the United States.

System and online security failures could harm our business and operating results.

Our services depend on the efficient and uninterrupted operation of our computer and communications hardware systems. In addition, we must provide a high level of security for the transactions we execute. We rely on internally-developed and third-party technology to provide secure transmission of postage and other confidential information. Any breach of these security measures would severely impact our business and reputation and would likely result in the loss of customers. Furthermore, if we are unable to provide adequate security, the US Postal Service could prohibit us from selling postage over the Internet.

Our systems and operations are vulnerable to damage or interruption from a number of sources, including fire, flood, power loss, telecommunications failure, break-ins, earthquakes and similar events. Our Internet host provider does not guarantee that our Internet access will be uninterrupted, error-free or secure. Our servers are also vulnerable to computer viruses, physical, electrical or electronic break-ins and similar disruptions. We have experienced minor system interruptions in the past and may experience them again in the future. Any substantial interruptions in the future could result in the loss of data and could completely impair our ability to generate revenues from our service. We do not presently have a full disaster recovery plan in effect to cover loss of facilities and equipment. In addition, we do not have a fail-over site that mirrors our infrastructure to allow us to operate from a second location. We have business interruption insurance; however, we cannot be certain that our coverage will be sufficient to compensate us for losses that may occur as a result of business interruptions.

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A significant barrier to electronic commerce and communications is the secure transmission of confidential information over public networks. Anyone who is able to circumvent our security measures could misappropriate confidential information or cause interruptions in our operations. We may be required to expend significant capital and other resources to protect against potential security breaches or to alleviate problems caused by any breach. We rely on specialized technology from within our own infrastructure to provide the security necessary for secure transmission of postage and other confidential information. Advances in computer capabilities, new discoveries in security technology, or other events or developments may result in a compromise or breach of the algorithms we use to protect customer transaction data. Should someone circumvent our security measures, our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations could be seriously harmed. Security breaches could also expose us to a risk of loss or litigation and possible liability for failing to secure confidential customer information. As a result, we may be required to expend a significant amount of financial and other resources to protect against security breaches or to alleviate any problems that they may cause.

Risks Related to Our Industry

US Postal Service regulations and fee assessments may cause disruptions or discontinuance of our business, may increase the cost of our service and may affect the adoption of Internet postage as a new method of mailing.

We are subject to continued US Postal Service scrutiny and other government regulations. The continued availability of our Internet postage services is dependent upon our service continuing to meet US Postal Service performance specifications and regulations. The US Postal Service could change its certification requirements or specifications for Internet postage or revoke the approval of our service at any time. If at any time our Internet postage service fails to meet US Postal Service requirements, we may be prohibited from offering this service and our business would be severely and negatively impacted. In addition, the US Postal Service could suspend, terminate or offer services which compete against Internet postage, any of which could stop or negatively impact the commercial adoption of our Internet postage services. Any changes in requirements or specifications for Internet postage could adversely affect our pricing, cost of revenues, operating results and margins by increasing the cost of providing our Internet postage service.

The US Postal Service could also decide that Internet postage should no longer be an approved postage service due to security concerns or other issues. Our business would suffer dramatically if we are unable to adapt our Internet postage services to any new requirements or specifications or if the US Postal Service were to discontinue Internet postage as an approved postage method. Alternatively, the US Postal Service could introduce competitive programs or amend Internet postage requirements to make certification easier to obtain, which could lead to more competition from third parties or the US Postal Service itself. If we are unable to compete successfully, particularly against large, traditional providers of postage products like Pitney Bowes who enter the online postage market, our revenues and operating results will suffer.

In addition, US Postal Service regulations may require that our personnel with access to postal information or resources receive security clearance prior to doing relevant work. We may experience delays or disruptions if our personnel cannot receive necessary security clearances in a timely manner, if at all. The regulations may limit our ability to hire qualified personnel. For example, sensitive clearance may only be provided to US citizens or aliens who are specifically approved to work on US Postal Service projects.

If we are unable to compete successfully, particularly against large, traditional providers of postage products such as Pitney Bowes who enter the online postage markets, our revenues and operating results will suffer.

The market for Internet postage products and services is new and is intensely competitive. At present, Pitney Bowes has a software-based product commercially available. Neopost Industrie has a hardware product commercially available. If any of our competitors, including Pitney Bowes, provide the same or similar service as we provide, our operations could be adversely impacted.

Internet postage may not be adopted by customers. These customers may continue to use traditional means to purchase postage, including purchasing postage from their local post office. If Internet postage becomes a viable market, we may not be able to establish or maintain a competitive position against current or future competitors as they enter the market. Many of our competitors have longer operating histories, larger customer bases, greater brand recognition, greater financial, marketing, service, support, technical, intellectual property and other resources than

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us. As a result, our competitors may be able to devote greater resources to marketing and promotional campaigns, adopt more aggressive pricing policies and devote substantially more resources to Web site and systems development than us. This increased competition may result in reduced operating margins, loss of market share and a diminished brand. We may from time to time make pricing, service or marketing decisions or acquisitions as a strategic response to changes in the competitive environment. These actions could result in reduced margins and seriously harm our business.

If the market for Internet postage develops, we could face competitive pressures from new technologies or the expansion of existing technologies approved for use by the US Postal Service. We may also face competition from a number of indirect competitors that specialize in electronic commerce and other companies with substantial customer bases in the computer and other technical fields. Additionally, companies that control access to transactions through a network or Web browsers could also promote our competitors or charge us a substantial fee for inclusion. Our competitors may also be acquired by, receive investments from or enter into other commercial relationships with larger, better-established and better-financed companies as use of the Internet and other online services increases. In addition, changes in postal regulations could adversely affect our service and significantly impact our competitive position. We may be unable to compete successfully against current and future competitors, and the competitive pressures we face could seriously harm our business.

If we do not respond effectively to technological change, our services could become obsolete and our business will suffer.

The development of our services and other technology entails significant technical and business risks. To remain competitive, we must continue to enhance and improve the responsiveness, functionality and features of our online operations. The Internet and the electronic commerce industry are characterized by rapid technological change; changes in user and customer requirements and preferences; frequent new product and service introductions embodying new technologies; and the emergence of new industry standards and practices.

The evolving nature of the Internet or the Internet postage markets could render our existing technology and systems obsolete. Our success will depend, in part, on our ability to license or acquire leading technologies useful in our business; enhance our existing services; develop new services or features and technology that address the increasingly sophisticated and varied needs of our current and prospective users; and respond to technological advances and emerging industry and regulatory standards and practices in a cost-effective and timely manner.

Future advances in technology may not be beneficial to, or compatible with, our business. Furthermore, we may not be successful in using new technologies effectively or adapting our technology and systems to user requirements or emerging industry standards on a timely basis. Our ability to remain technologically competitive may require substantial expenditures and lead time. If we are unable to adapt in a timely manner to changing market conditions or user requirements, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be seriously harmed.

The success of our business will depend on the continued growth of the Internet and the acceptance by customers of the Internet as a means for purchasing postage services.

Our success depends in large part on widespread acceptance and use of the Internet as a way to purchase postage services. This practice is at an early stage of development, and market acceptance of Internet postage service is uncertain. We cannot predict the extent to which customers will be willing to shift their purchasing habits from traditional to online postage services. To be successful, our customers must accept and utilize electronic commerce to satisfy their product needs. Our future revenues and profits, if any, substantially depend upon the acceptance and use of the Internet and other online services as an effective medium of commerce by our target users.

The Internet may not become a viable long-term commercial marketplace due to potentially inadequate development of the necessary network infrastructure or delayed development of enabling technologies and performance improvements. The commercial acceptance and use of the Internet may not continue to develop at rates sufficient to sustain or grow our business. Our business, financial condition and results of operations would be seriously harmed if use of the Internet and other online services does not continue to increase or increases more slowly than expected; the infrastructure for the Internet and other online services does not effectively support future expansion of electronic commerce or our services; concerns over security and privacy inhibit the growth of the Internet; or the Internet and other online services do not become a viable commercial marketplace.

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Our operating results could be impaired if we or the Internet become subject to additional government regulation and legal uncertainties.

With the exception of US Postal Service and Department of Commerce regulations, we are not currently subject to direct regulation by any domestic or foreign governmental agency, other than regulations applicable to businesses generally, and laws or regulations directly applicable to electronic commerce. However, due to the increasing popularity and use of the Internet, it is possible that a number of laws and regulations may be adopted with respect to the Internet, relating to user privacy; pricing; content; copyrights; distribution; characteristics and quality of products and services; and export controls.

The adoption of any additional laws or regulations may hinder the expansion of the Internet. A decline in the growth of the Internet could decrease demand for our products and services and increase our cost of doing business. Moreover, the applicability of existing laws to the Internet is uncertain with regard to many issues, including property ownership, export of specialized technology, sales tax, libel and personal privacy. Our business, financial condition and results of operations could be seriously harmed by any new legislation or regulation. The application of laws and regulations from jurisdictions whose laws do not currently apply to our business, or the application of existing laws and regulations to the Internet and other online services could also harm our business.

We have employees and offer our services in multiple states, and we may in the future expand internationally. These jurisdictions may claim that we are required to qualify to do business as a foreign corporation in each state or foreign country. Our failure to qualify as a foreign corporation in a jurisdiction where we are required to do so could subject us to taxes and penalties. Other states and foreign countries may also attempt to regulate our services or prosecute us for violations of their laws. Further, we might unintentionally violate the laws of foreign jurisdictions and those laws may be modified and new laws may be enacted in the future.

If we market our services internationally, government regulation could disrupt our operations.

We may in the future begin to provide services in international markets. Our ability to provide our Internet postage services in international markets would likely be subject to rigorous governmental approval and certification requirements similar to those imposed by the US Postal Service. For example, our Internet postage services cannot currently be used for international mail because foreign postal authorities do not currently recognize information-based indicia postage. If foreign postal authorities accept postage generated by our service in the future, and if we obtain the necessary foreign certification or approvals, we would be subject to ongoing regulation by foreign governments and agencies. To date, efforts to create a certification process in Europe and other foreign markets are in a preliminary stage and these markets may not prove to be a viable opportunity for us. As a result, we cannot predict when, or if, international markets will become a viable source of revenues for a postage service similar to ours.

Our ability to provide service in international markets may also be impacted by the export control laws of the United States. Our software technology makes us subject to stronger export controls, and may prevent us from being able to export our products and services. Regulations and standards of the Universal Postal Union and other international bodies may also limit our ability to provide international mail services.

If we enter the international market, our business activities will be subject to a variety of potential risks, including the adoption of laws and regulatory requirements, political and economic conditions, difficulties protecting our intellectual property rights and actions by third parties that would restrict or eliminate our ability to do business in these jurisdictions. If we begin to transact business in foreign currencies, we will become subject to the risks attendant to transacting in foreign currencies, including the potential adverse effects of exchange rate fluctuations.

Risks Related to Our Stock

Our charter documents could deter a takeover effort, which could inhibit your ability to receive an acquisition premium for your shares.

The provisions of our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and Delaware law could make it difficult for a third party to acquire us, even it would be beneficial to our stockholders. In addition, we are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which could prohibit or delay a merger or other takeover of our company, and discourage attempts to acquire us.

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The US Postal Service may object to control of our common stock being held by a foreign person.

The US Postal Service may raise national security or similar concerns to prevent foreign persons from acquiring significant ownership of our common stock or ownership of Stamps.com. These concerns may prohibit or delay a merger or other takeover of our company. Our competitors may also seek to have the US Postal Service block the acquisition by a foreign person of our common stock or our company in order to prevent the combined company from becoming a more effective competitor in the market for Internet postage.

Shares of our common stock held by existing stockholders may be sold into the public market, which could cause the price of our common stock to decline.

If our stockholders sell into the public market substantial amounts of our common stock purchased in private financings prior to our initial public offering, or purchased upon the exercise of stock options or warrants, or if there is a perception that these sales could occur, the market price of our common stock could decline. All of these shares are available for immediate sale, subject to the volume and other restrictions under Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933.

Our stock price may be highly volatile and could drop, particularly because our business depends on the Internet.

The trading price of our common stock has fluctuated widely in the past, and is expected to continue to do so in the future, as a result of a number of factors, many of which are outside our control. In addition, the stock market has experienced extreme price and volume fluctuations that have affected the market prices of many technology and Internet-related companies and that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of these companies. These broad market fluctuations and the perception of the valuation of the Internet company sector could adversely affect the market price of our common stock.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

Our exposure to market rate risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our investment portfolio. We have not used derivative financial instruments in our investment portfolio. Our cash equivalents and investments are comprised of Money Market, U.S. government obligations and public corporate debt securities with weighted average maturities of less than 70 days at September 30, 2002. Our cash equivalents and investments, net of restricted cash, approximated $186 million and had a related weighted average interest rate of 3.96%. Interest rate fluctuations impact the carrying value of the portfolio. We do not believe that the future market risks related to the above securities will have material adverse impact on our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

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PART II.
OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On June 16, 1999, Pitney Bowes sued us for alleged patent infringement in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. The suit originally alleged that we are infringing two patents held by Pitney Bowes related to postage application systems and electronic indicia. The suit seeks treble damages, a preliminary and permanent injunction from further alleged infringement, attorneys’ fees and other unspecified damages. We answered the complaint on August 6, 1999, denying the allegations of patent infringement and asserting a number of affirmative defenses. Pitney Bowes filed a similar complaint in early June 1999 against E-Stamp Corporation, alleging infringement of seven Pitney Bowes patents. On April 13, 2000, Pitney Bowes asked the court for permission to amend its complaint to drop allegations of patent infringement with respect to one patent and to add allegations of patent infringement with respect to three other patents. On July 28, 2000 the court entered Pitney Bowes’ amended complaint. On June 18, 2001, E-Stamp and Pitney Bowes agreed to settle their litigation.

On September 18, 2000 Pitney Bowes filed another patent infringement lawsuit against us in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, alleging that we are infringing four patents owned by Pitney Bowes related to multi-carrier shipping. The suit sought unspecified damages and a permanent injunction from further alleged infringement. We answered the complaint on December 1, 2000, denying the allegations of patent infringement and asserting a number of affirmative defenses. The United Parcel Service acquired our iShip multi-carrier shipping service assets on May 18, 2001. On September 4, 2001, the court granted our motion to transfer the lawsuit to the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. On April 18, 2002, the claim that we are infringing one of the patents was dismissed with prejudice. On June 20, 2002, all remaining claims in the lawsuit were dismissed without prejudice.

On June 14, 2001, we filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Pitney Bowes in the United States District Court for the Central District of California, alleging that Pitney Bowes infringes four patents we own. On January 7, 2002, the court granted Pitney Bowes’ motion to transfer the lawsuit to the United States District Court for the District of Delaware.

Stamps.com’s claims that Pitney Bowes ClickStamp Online and six of the Pitney Bowes DM Series Mailing Systems infringe our patents and Pitney Bowes’ claims that Stamps.com Internet Postage infringes their patents are scheduled for a May 7, 2003, pre-trial conference, Markman hearing and hearing on dispositive motions.

The outcome of our litigation against Pitney Bowes is uncertain. Therefore, we can give no assurance that Pitney Bowes will not prevail in its suits against us. Success by Pitney Bowes in its suits against us alleging patent infringement could prevent us from offering our Internet postage services and severely harm our business or cause it to fail.

On December 13, 2000, Cybershop (a British Columbia, Canada partnership) and its general partners filed suit against us in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, alleging that in 1998 a third party fraudulently transferred ownership of the Internet domain name “stamps.com” away from Cybershop and subsequently transferred it to us. The third party is also a named defendant in the suit. The complaint seeks legal resolution and recognition of Cybershop’s ownership of the “stamps.com” domain name and seeks unspecified monetary damages against the third party. On January 9, 2001, we filed a motion to dismiss the suit. On February 16, 2001, Cybershop filed an amended complaint, alleging new causes of action, including conversion, invasion of privacy, trespass, and private nuisance, and seeking declaratory judgment for return of the domain name registration to Cybershop. Cybershop later filed third and fourth amended complaints. On February 13, 2002, the court granted our summary judgment motion and dismissed all of Cybershop’s pending claims against us with prejudice. On September 25, 2002, the Court granted part of Cybershop’s motion asking the court to reconsider its decision. Cybershop’s one surviving claim against us, for quiet title in the domain name “stamps.com,” is scheduled for docket call on December 6, 2002.

The final outcome of the litigation is uncertain, and we can give no assurance that Cybershop and its general partners will not prevail. Success by Cybershop in its suit against us seeking damages and recognition of its ownership of the domain name stamps.com could prevent us from using the domain name stamps.com and could require a change of name of the Company, severely harming our business or causing it to fail.

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In May and June, 2001, we were named, together with certain of our current or former board members and/or officers, as a defendant in eleven purported class-action lawsuits, filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The lawsuits allege violations of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in connection with our initial public offering and secondary offering of our common stock. The lawsuits also name as defendants the principal underwriters in connection with our initial and secondary public offerings, including Goldman, Sachs & Co. (in some of the lawsuits sued as The Goldman Sachs Group Inc.) and BancBoston Robertson Stephens, Inc. The lawsuits allege that the underwriters engaged in improper commission practices and stock price manipulations in connection with the sale of our common stock. The lawsuits also allege that we and/or certain of our officers or directors knew of or recklessly disregarded these practices by the underwriter defendants, and failed to disclose them in our public filings. Plaintiffs seek damages and statutory compensation, including prejudgment and post-judgment interest, costs and expenses (including attorneys’ fees), and rescissionary damages. In April 2002, plaintiffs filed a consolidated amended class action complaint against us and certain of our current and former board members and/or officers. The consolidated amended class action complaint includes similar allegations to those described above and seeks similar relief. In July 2002, we moved to dismiss the consolidated amended class action complaint. The court has not yet ruled on this motion. In October 2002, pursuant to a stipulation and tolling agreement with plaintiffs, our current and former board members and/or officers were dismissed without prejudice.

In addition to the class action lawsuits against us, over 1,000 similar lawsuits have also been brought against over 250 companies which issued stock to the public in 1998, 1999, and 2000, and their underwriters. These lawsuits (including those naming the Company) followed publicized reports that the SEC was investigating the practice of certain underwriters in connection with initial public offerings. All of these lawsuits have been consolidated for pretrial purposes before United States District Court Judge Shira Scheindlin of the Southern District of New York. We have placed our underwriters on notice of the Company’s rights to indemnification, pursuant to our agreements with the underwriters. We have also provided notice to our directors and officers insurers, and believe that we have insurance applicable to the lawsuits. We also believe that the claims against us and our officers and directors are without merit, and intend to defend the lawsuits vigorously.

We are not currently involved in any other material legal proceedings, nor have we been involved in any such proceeding that has had or may have a significant effect on our company. We are not aware of any other material legal proceedings pending against us.

ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

None.

ITEM 3. DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES

Not applicable.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None.

ITEM 5. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

(a)		The Company’s chief executive officer and chief financial officer has concluded that disclosure controls and procedures are effective, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures within 90 days of the date of this report.
(b)		There have been no significant changes in Stamps.com Inc.’s internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

99.1		Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

	STAMPS.COM INC. (Registrant)
November 13, 2002	By:	/s/ KEN MCBRIDE
		Ken McBride Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (Duly Authorized Officer and Principal Financial Officer)

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Form of Certification Required
by Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

I, Ken McBride, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Stamps.com Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this quarterly report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this quarterly report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this quarterly report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this quarterly report;

4. I am responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in paragraph (c) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-14 and 15d-14) for the registrant and we have:

	a) designed such disclosure controls and procedures to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this quarterly report is being prepared;

	b) evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2002 (the “Evaluation Date”); and

	c) presented in this quarterly report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures based on our evaluation as of the Evaluation Date.

5. I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of registrant’s board of directors:

	a) all significant deficiencies in the design or operation of internal controls which could adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial data and have identified for the registrant’s auditors any material weaknesses in internal controls; and

	b) any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal controls.

6. I have indicated in this quarterly report whether or not there were significant changes in internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date of our most recent evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.

Date: November 13, 2002		/s/ KEN MCBRIDE
		Ken McBride Chief Executive Officer