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<P align="center"><FONT size="2">As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July&nbsp;30, 2003<BR>
Registration No.&nbsp;333-_________
</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION<BR>
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="5"><B>FORM S-8</B>
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">REGISTRATION STATEMENT<BR>
UNDER<BR>
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="5"><B>TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, INC.</B></FONT><BR>
<FONT size="2">(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
</FONT>
<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="75%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="51%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="44%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><B>Maryland</B><BR>
(State or other jurisdiction of<BR>
Incorporation or organization)</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
<B>52-1526369</B><BR>
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><B>275 West Street<BR>
Annapolis, Maryland</B><BR>
(Address of principal executive offices)</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom"><FONT size="2">
<B>21401</B><BR>
(Zip code)</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.<BR>
Third Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Incentive Plan</B><BR>
(Full title of plan)
</FONT>
<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="65%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="51%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="44%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">(Name, address and telephone<BR>
number of agent for service)</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom"><FONT size="2">
(Copy to:)</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2"><B>Maurice B. Tos&#233;<BR>
President and Chief Executive Officer<BR>
TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.<BR>
275 West Street<BR>
Annapolis, Maryland 21401<BR>
(410)&nbsp;263-7616</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="bottom"><FONT size="2">
<B>Wm. David Chalk, Esq.<BR>
Piper Rudnick LLP<BR>
6225 Smith Avenue<BR>
Baltimore, Maryland 21209-3600<BR>
(410)&nbsp;580-3000</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE</B>
</FONT>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="95%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="34%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="10%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="1%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="9%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="7%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="6%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD colspan="15"><HR size="4" noshade></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="1"><FONT size="1"><B>Title of Securities to be Registered</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="2"><FONT size="1"><B>Amount<BR>
To be<BR>
Registered</B></FONT></TD>

    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>

<TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Proposed<BR>
Maximum<BR>
Price Per Unit(3)</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>

<TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Proposed&nbsp;Maximum<BR>
Aggregate<BR>
Offering Price(3)</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" colspan="3"><FONT size="1"><B>Amount
of<BR>
Registration<BR>
Fee(3)</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD colspan="15"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">Class&nbsp;A Common Stock, $0.01 par
value</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top" nowrap colspan="2"><FONT size="2">
4,000,000<B>(1)(2)</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" valign="top" colspan="3"><FONT size="2">$2.97</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" valign="top" colspan="3"><FONT size="2">$11,880,000</FONT></TD>
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center" valign="top" colspan="3"><FONT size="2">$961.09</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD colspan="15"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">(1)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; An aggregate of 15,904,110 shares of Class&nbsp;A Common Stock may be offered or
issued pursuant to the TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. Third Amended and
Restated 1997 Stock Incentive Plan, 5,591,004 of which were previously
registered on Form&nbsp;S-8 (File No.&nbsp;333-48026), 3,000,000 of which were previously
registered on Form&nbsp;S-8 (File No.&nbsp;333-66676) and 4,000,000 of which are
registered on this Form&nbsp;S-8. The remaining 3,313,106 shares were issued
pursuant to option grants occurring prior to the Company&#146;s initial public
offering.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">(2)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; In addition, pursuant to Rule&nbsp;416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, this Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate number of
shares of Class&nbsp;A Common Stock that may be offered or issued by reason of stock
splits, stock dividends or similar transactions pursuant to the
TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. Third Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Incentive
Plan.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">(3)&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant
to Rule&nbsp;457(c) and (h). The proposed maximum offering price per share,
proposed maximum aggregate offering price and the amount of the registration
fee are based on the average of the high and low prices of TeleCommunication
Systems, Inc. Class&nbsp;A Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market on
July&nbsp;25, 2003 (i.e., $2.97). Pursuant to General Instruction E of Form&nbsp;S-8,
the registration fee is calculated with respect to the additional securities
registered on this Form&nbsp;S-8 only.
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE</B>
</FONT>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>INFORMATION REQUIRED ON THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS</B>
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;In accordance with General Instruction E to Form&nbsp;S-8, the contents of the
Registration Statements filed by TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (the &#147;Company&#148;
or the &#147;Registrant&#148;) with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
&#147;Commission&#148;) on October&nbsp;16, 2000 (File No.&nbsp;333-48026) and August&nbsp;3, 2001 (File
No.&nbsp;333-66676), with respect to securities offered pursuant to the Company&#146;s
Third Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Incentive Plan, are hereby incorporated
by reference.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections&nbsp;13(a), 13(c), 14
or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, subsequent to the
date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective
amendment that indicates that all securities offered have been sold or that
deregisters all securities remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated
by reference into this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the
date of filing such documents.
</FONT>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or
is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute part of this Registration
Statement.
</FONT>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">-2-</FONT>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B><U>EXHIBITS</U></B>
</FONT>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="75%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="87%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>EXHIBIT</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>NUMBER</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>DESCRIPTION</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">4.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company
(incorporated by reference to the Company&#146;s Registration Statement
on Form&nbsp;S-1, as amended (File No.&nbsp;333-35522) declared effective by
the Securities and Exchange Commission on August&nbsp;7, 2000).</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">4.2</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by
reference to the Company&#146;s Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-1, as
amended (File No.&nbsp;333-35522) declared effective by the Securities
and Exchange Commission on August&nbsp;7, 2000).</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">4.3</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. Third Amended and Restated 1997
Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix&nbsp;B to
the Company&#146;s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2003 annual
meeting of stockholders as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on April&nbsp;30, 2003 (File No.&nbsp;0-30821)).</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">5.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Opinion of Piper Rudnick LLP, counsel for the Registrant, regarding
the legal validity of the shares of Class&nbsp;A Common Stock being
registered for issuance under the Third Amended and Restated 1997
Stock Incentive Plan (filed herewith).</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">23.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Consent of Counsel (contained in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">23.2</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Consent of Independent Auditors (filed herewith).</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">24.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Power of Attorney (filed herewith).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">-3-</FONT>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>SIGNATURES</B>
</FONT>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
meets all of the requirements for filing on this Form&nbsp;S-8 Registration
Statement and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Annapolis,
State of Maryland, on the 23rd day of July, 2003.
</FONT>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="65%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="45%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="50%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>

<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap colspan="2"><FONT size="2">TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, INC.</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="top">
    <TD nowrap><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap><FONT size="2">By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap><FONT size="2">/s/ Maurice B. Tos&#233;</FONT>
<HR noshade size="1" width="70%" align="left">
<FONT size="2">Maurice B. Tos&#233;<BR>
Chief Executive Officer, President<BR>
and Chairman of the Board</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>

<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Form&nbsp;S-8
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
</FONT>
<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="85%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="35%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="41%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="14%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Signature</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Title</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>Date</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Maurice B. Tos&#233;<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Maurice B. Tos&#233;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Chief Executive Officer, President and<BR>
Chairman of the Board<BR>
(Principal Executive Officer)
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">July 23, 2003</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR><TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">/s/ Thomas M. Brandt, Jr.<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Thomas M. Brandt, Jr.</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Chief Financial Officer and<BR>
Senior Vice President<BR>
(Principal Financial and<BR>
Accounting Officer)
</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="center" valign="top"><FONT size="2">July 23, 2003</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="left"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;A majority of the Board of Directors (Maurice B. Tos&#233;, Clyde A.
Heintzelman, Richard A. Kozak, Weldon H. Latham, and Byron F. Marchant).
</FONT>
<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="85%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="30%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="15%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="55%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">Date: July 23, 2003<BR>
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2"></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
By: /s/ Thomas M. Brandt, Jr.</FONT>
<div style="Margin-left: 20px"><FONT size="2">
</FONT><HR size="1" noshade><FONT size="2">
Thomas M. Brandt, Jr.<BR>
Attorney-In-Fact</FONT></div>
</TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">-4-</FONT>
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<H5 align="left" style="page-break-before:always">&nbsp;</H5><P>

<P align="center"><FONT size="2"><B>EXHIBIT INDEX</B>
</FONT>

<CENTER>
<TABLE cellspacing="0" border="0" cellpadding="0" width="85%">
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD width="8%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="5%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="87%">&nbsp;</TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>EXHIBIT</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>NUMBER</B></FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><FONT size="1"><B>DESCRIPTION</B></FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="1">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD nowrap align="center"><HR size="1" noshade></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">4.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company
(incorporated by reference to the Company&#146;s Registration Statement
on Form&nbsp;S-1, as amended (File No.&nbsp;333-35522) declared effective by
the Securities and Exchange Commission on August&nbsp;7, 2000).</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">4.2</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by
reference to the Company&#146;s Registration Statement on Form&nbsp;S-1, as
amended (File No.&nbsp;333-35522) declared effective by the Securities
and Exchange Commission on August&nbsp;7, 2000).</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">4.3</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. Third Amended and Restated 1997
Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix&nbsp;B to
the Company&#146;s definitive Proxy Statement for its 2003 annual
meeting of stockholders filed with the Securities Exchange
Commission on April&nbsp;30, 2003 (File No.&nbsp;0-30821)).</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">5.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Opinion of Piper Rudnick LLP, counsel for the Registrant, regarding
the legal validity of the shares of Class&nbsp;A Common Stock being
registered for issuance under the Third Amended and Restated 1997
Stock Incentive Plan (filed herewith).</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">23.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Consent of Counsel (contained in Exhibit&nbsp;5.1).</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">23.2</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Consent of Independent Auditors (filed herewith).</FONT></TD>
</TR>

<TR>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
</TR>
<TR valign="bottom">
    <TD valign="top"><FONT size="2">24.1</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align="left" valign="top"><FONT size="2">
Power of Attorney (filed herewith).</FONT></TD>
</TR>
</TABLE>
</CENTER>
<P align="center"><FONT size="2">&nbsp;</FONT>
</BODY>
</HTML>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEMS INC /FA/", "cik": "0001111665", "assigned-sic": "7372", "irs-number": "521526369", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "S-8", "act": "33", "file-number": "333-107466", "film-number": "03810731"}, "business-address": {"street1": "275 WEST ST", "city": "ANNAPOLIS", "state": "MD", "zip": "21401", "phone": "4102637616"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "275 WEST ST", "city": "ANNAPOLIS", "state": "MD", "zip": "21401"}}
sv8
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 30, 2003
Registration No. 333-_________
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Maryland
(State or other jurisdiction of
Incorporation or organization)
52-1526369
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
275 West Street
Annapolis, Maryland
(Address of principal executive offices)
21401
(Zip code)
TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.
Third Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Incentive Plan
(Full title of plan)
(Name, address and telephone
number of agent for service)
(Copy to:)
Maurice B. Tosé
President and Chief Executive Officer
TeleCommunication Systems, Inc.
275 West Street
Annapolis, Maryland 21401
(410) 263-7616
Wm. David Chalk, Esq.
Piper Rudnick LLP
6225 Smith Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21209-3600
(410) 580-3000
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Securities to be Registered
Amount
To be
Registered
Proposed
Maximum
Price Per Unit(3)
Proposed Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price(3)
Amount
of
Registration
Fee(3)
Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par
value
4,000,000
(1)(2)
$2.97
$11,880,000
$961.09
(1)     An aggregate of 15,904,110 shares of Class A Common Stock may be offered or
issued pursuant to the TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. Third Amended and
Restated 1997 Stock Incentive Plan, 5,591,004 of which were previously
registered on Form S-8 (File No. 333-48026), 3,000,000 of which were previously
registered on Form S-8 (File No. 333-66676) and 4,000,000 of which are
registered on this Form S-8. The remaining 3,313,106 shares were issued
pursuant to option grants occurring prior to the Company's initial public
offering.
(2)     In addition, pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, this Registration Statement also covers an indeterminate number of
shares of Class A Common Stock that may be offered or issued by reason of stock
splits, stock dividends or similar transactions pursuant to the
TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. Third Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Incentive
Plan.
(3)     Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant
to Rule 457(c) and (h). The proposed maximum offering price per share,
proposed maximum aggregate offering price and the amount of the registration
fee are based on the average of the high and low prices of TeleCommunication
Systems, Inc. Class A Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq National Market on
July 25, 2003 (i.e., $2.97). Pursuant to General Instruction E of Form S-8,
the registration fee is calculated with respect to the additional securities
registered on this Form S-8 only.
INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
INFORMATION REQUIRED ON THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
In accordance with General Instruction E to Form S-8, the contents of the
Registration Statements filed by TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. (the "Company"
or the "Registrant") with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") on October 16, 2000 (File No. 333-48026) and August 3, 2001 (File
No. 333-66676), with respect to securities offered pursuant to the Company's
Third Amended and Restated 1997 Stock Incentive Plan, are hereby incorporated
by reference.
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14
or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, subsequent to the
date of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective
amendment that indicates that all securities offered have been sold or that
deregisters all securities remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated
by reference into this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the
date of filing such documents.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement
contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or
is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such
statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute part of this Registration
Statement.
-2-
EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT
NUMBER
DESCRIPTION
4.1
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company
(incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement
on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 333-35522) declared effective by
the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 7, 2000).
4.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by
reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, as
amended (File No. 333-35522) declared effective by the Securities
and Exchange Commission on August 7, 2000).
4.3
TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. Third Amended and Restated 1997
Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix B to
the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for its 2003 annual
meeting of stockholders as filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on April 30, 2003 (File No. 0-30821)).
5.1
Opinion of Piper Rudnick LLP, counsel for the Registrant, regarding
the legal validity of the shares of Class A Common Stock being
registered for issuance under the Third Amended and Restated 1997
Stock Incentive Plan (filed herewith).
23.1
Consent of Counsel (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2
Consent of Independent Auditors (filed herewith).
24.1
Power of Attorney (filed herewith).
-3-
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it
meets all of the requirements for filing on this Form S-8 Registration
Statement and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Annapolis,
State of Maryland, on the 23rd day of July, 2003.
TELECOMMUNICATION SYSTEMS, INC.
By:
/s/ Maurice B. Tosé
Maurice B. Tosé
Chief Executive Officer, President
and Chairman of the Board
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Form S-8
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature
Title
Date
/s/ Maurice B. Tosé
Maurice B. Tosé
Chief Executive Officer, President and
Chairman of the Board
(Principal Executive Officer)
July 23, 2003
/s/ Thomas M. Brandt, Jr.
Thomas M. Brandt, Jr.
Chief Financial Officer and
Senior Vice President
(Principal Financial and
Accounting Officer)
July 23, 2003
A majority of the Board of Directors (Maurice B. Tosé, Clyde A.
Heintzelman, Richard A. Kozak, Weldon H. Latham, and Byron F. Marchant).
Date: July 23, 2003
By: /s/ Thomas M. Brandt, Jr.
Thomas M. Brandt, Jr.
Attorney-In-Fact
-4-
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT
NUMBER
DESCRIPTION
4.1
Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Company
(incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement
on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 333-35522) declared effective by
the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 7, 2000).
4.2
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by
reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1, as
amended (File No. 333-35522) declared effective by the Securities
and Exchange Commission on August 7, 2000).
4.3
TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. Third Amended and Restated 1997
Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated by reference to Appendix B to
the Company's definitive Proxy Statement for its 2003 annual
meeting of stockholders filed with the Securities Exchange
Commission on April 30, 2003 (File No. 0-30821)).
5.1
Opinion of Piper Rudnick LLP, counsel for the Registrant, regarding
the legal validity of the shares of Class A Common Stock being
registered for issuance under the Third Amended and Restated 1997
Stock Incentive Plan (filed herewith).
23.1
Consent of Counsel (contained in Exhibit 5.1).
23.2
Consent of Independent Auditors (filed herewith).
24.1
Power of Attorney (filed herewith).