DIRECTV 2007 Annual Report Download - page 29

THE DIRECTV GROUP, INC.
related to the DIRECTV name and the Cyclone Design. In addition, DIRECTV U.S. holds over 105
U.S. trademark registrations relating to its business, including registrations of the primary ‘‘DIRECTV’’
and Cyclone Design trademarks. These trademarks are licensed royalty-free to third parties for use in
support of DIRECTV U.S.’ business. We actively protect our important patents and trademarks against
unauthorized or improper use by third parties.
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION
We are subject to the requirements of federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and
regulations. These include laws regulating air emissions, water discharge and waste management. We
have an environmental management function designed to facilitate and support our compliance with
these requirements and attempt to maintain compliance with all such requirements. We have made and
will continue to make, as necessary, capital and other expenditures to comply with environmental
requirements. We do not, however, expect capital or other expenditures for environmental compliance
to be material in 2008. Environmental requirements are complex, change frequently and have become
more stringent over time. Accordingly, we cannot provide assurance that these requirements will not
change or become more stringent in the future in a manner that could have a material adverse effect
on our business.
We are also subject to environmental laws requiring the investigation and cleanup of
environmental contamination at facilities we formerly owned or operated or currently own or operate
or to which we sent hazardous wastes for treatment or disposal. We are aware of contamination at one
of our former sites. We believe that we have adequately provided for the expected cost of
environmental investigation and cleanup.
SEGMENT REPORTING DATA
Operating segment and principal geographic area data for 2007, 2006 and 2005 are summarized in
Note 17 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 8, Part II of this Annual
Report, which we incorporate herein by reference.
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 2007, we had approximately 11,300 full-time and 1,000 part-time employees.
We believe that our employee relations are good. None of our employees is represented by labor
unions in the United States. In some countries in Latin America there are labor unions with which we
have a good working relationship.
ACCESS TO COMPANY REPORTS
Our website address is www.directv.com. Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished, if any,
pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are available free of charge
through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or
furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. We are not incorporating by reference
in this Annual Report on Form 10-K any information on our website.
In addition, our DIRECTV U.S. subsidiary, DIRECTV Holdings LLC, is a separate registrant with
the SEC. You can access DIRECTV Holdings LLC’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports
on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished, if
any, pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 free of charge through
20