Famous Footwear 2004 Annual Report Download - page 13

Table of Contents
BROWN SHOE COMPANY, INC. 2003 FORM 10-K
Trademarks
We believe that our trademarks and trade names are important to our business and are generally sufficient to permit us to carry on our
business as presently conducted and planned. We cannot, however, know whether we will be able to secure protection for our intellectual
property in the future or if that protection will be adequate for future operations. Further, we face the risk of ineffective protection of intellectual
property rights in jurisdictions where we source and distribute our products. We also cannot be certain that our activities do not infringe on the
proprietary rights of others. If we are compelled to prosecute infringing parties, defend our intellectual property or defend ourselves from
intellectual property claims made by others, we may face significant expenses and liability.
Dependence on Major Branded Suppliers
Our Famous Footwear retail chain purchases a substantial portion of our footwear products from major branded suppliers. While we believe
our relationships with our current suppliers is good, the loss of any of our major suppliers or product developed exclusively for Famous
Footwear could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. As is common in the industry, we
do not have any long-term contracts with our suppliers. In addition, the success of our financial performance is dependent on the ability of
Famous Footwear to obtain product from its suppliers on a timely basis and on acceptable terms.
Litigation and Other Regulatory Proceedings
We are a defendant from time to time in lawsuits and regulatory actions relating to our business. Due to the inherent uncertainties of
litigation and regulatory proceedings, we cannot accurately predict the ultimate outcome of any such proceedings. An unfavorable outcome
could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. In addition, regardless of the outcome of
any litigation or regulatory proceedings, such proceedings are expensive and will require that we devote substantial resources and executive
time to defend the Company.
AVAILABLE INFORMATION
Our Internet address is www.brownshoe.com. Our Internet address is included in this annual report on Form 10-K as an inactive textual
reference only. The information contained on our Web site is not incorporated by reference into this annual report on Form 10-K and should
not be considered part of this report. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (SEC). We make available free of charge our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q,
current reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished, as required by Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, through our Internet Web site as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with or
furnish it to the SEC. You may access these SEC filings via the hyperlink to a third-party SEC filings Web site that we provide on our Web
site.
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