DIRECTV 2012 Annual Report Download - page 39

DIRECTV
generally less developed than in the United States, and the application of existing conservation strategies) and implement these whenever feasible. We have been
laws and regulations to DBS/DTH providers is at times uncertain. In addition, selected by the Environmental Protection Agency as a 2010, 2011 and 2012 Energy
there are certain areas where regulations in Latin America are stricter than in the Star award winner for excellence in energy efficient product design and recognized
United States, such as regarding labor and consumer protection laws. Foreign for our ‘‘leadership in advancing technology’’ to reduce energy while continuing to
exchange laws in some countries can have a material impact on our ability to deliver our service. Environmental requirements are complex, change frequently and
repatriate funds to the United States. Also, several countries such as Venezuela, have become increasingly more stringent over time. Accordingly, we cannot provide
Argentina and Brazil have passed or proposed laws imposing certain ‘‘national’’ assurance that these requirements will not change or become more stringent in the
content requirements, advertising limitations and other requirements on the content future in a manner that could have a material adverse effect on our business.
we distribute. Such laws can have an adverse impact on the business of our We are also subject to environmental laws requiring the investigation and
subsidiaries. cleanup of environmental contamination at facilities we formerly owned or operated
or currently own or operate or to which we sent hazardous wastes, including
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY specified universal wastes, for treatment, service, disposal or recycling. We are aware
All DIRECTV companies maintain active programs for identifying and of contamination at one of our former sites. We are in the process of complying
protecting our important intellectual property. We believe that our growing with the requirements stipulated by the government agency overseeing the site
portfolio of pending and issued patents are important assets. We presently hold over cleanup and have allocated the funds to achieve the decontamination goals.
2,000 issued patents worldwide relating to our past and present businesses,
including over 500 patents developed by, or otherwise relating to, the businesses of SEGMENT REPORTING DATA
DIRECTV U.S. We hold a worldwide portfolio of over 900 trademarks related to Operating segment and principal geographic area data for 2012, 2011 and
the DIRECTV brand, the Cyclone Design and DIRECTV products and services. 2010 are summarized in Note 20 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial
In particular, DIRECTV U.S. holds trademark registrations relating to its business, Statements in Item 8, Part II of this Annual Report.
including registrations of the primary ‘‘DIRECTV’’ and the DIRECTV Cyclone
Design trademarks. In many instances, these trademarks are licensed royalty-free to EMPLOYEES
third parties for use in support of the DIRECTV U.S. business. We actively protect
our important patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights against As of December 31, 2012, DIRECTV U.S. had approximately 15,000
unauthorized or improper use by third parties. full-time and 500 part-time employees, DIRECTV Latin America had
approximately 12,000 full-time and 2,000 part-time employees and Sports
ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATION Networks and Other had approximately 200 full-time employees.
We are subject to requirements of federal, state, local and foreign ACCESS TO COMPANY REPORTS
environmental laws and regulations. These include laws regulating air emissions,
water discharge, employee safety, and universal and hazardous waste management Our website address is www.directv.com. Our Annual Reports on Form 10-K,
activities. We have an environmental management function designed to track, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, and amendments
facilitate and support our compliance with these requirements and attempt to to those reports filed or furnished, if any, pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
maintain compliance with all such requirements. We have made and will continue Securities Exchange Act of 1934 are available free of charge through our website as
to make, as necessary, capital and other expenditures to comply with environmental soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished
requirements. We do not, however, expect capital or other expenditures for to, the SEC. We are not incorporating by reference in this Annual Report on
environmental compliance to be material in 2013. In addition, we periodically Form 10-K any information on our website.
review environmental stewardship concepts (such as green initiatives and energy
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