Neiman Marcus 2009 Annual Report Download - page 491

and associates are prohibited from using trademarks that are confusingly similar to those belonging to other parties. All questions
regarding trademarks should be directed to the Legal Department.
TRADE SECRETS / PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
Trade secrets and proprietary and confidential information may consist of any formula, pattern, device or compilation of information
that the Company maintains in secrecy and uses to conduct its business or for competitive advantages. The Company has developed
such information and often has access to similar information belonging to other parties with whom the Company does business.
Examples include items such as customer lists, vendor lists, business or financial plans, projections, profits, gross margins, marketing
plans, sales plans, competitive analyses, pricing information, contracts, and other like information. Associates are required to
maintain and safeguard the confidentiality of all information entrusted to them by the Company or its vendors, except when disclosure
is authorized in advance by the Legal Department.
Associates must not use trade secrets or proprietary or confidential information obtained from former employers or third parties,
unless prior authorization has been obtained from the Legal Department.
Associates must dispose of all confidential material in an appropriate manner, which may include shredding and discarding such
material in secured waste receptacles. Associates shall not, at any time, either directly or indirectly, divulge, disclose or communicate
any confidential or non-public information relating to Company business, including information regarding customers, product pricing,
Company operations strategies, practices, business plans, or any other information which may, if disclosed, be harmful to the
Company or its customers, or be useful to its competitors. Associates should refrain from discussing confidential information in
public areas, such as in airplanes, restaurants, on cell phones, and in non-private areas, such as cafeterias and elevators.
All files, records and reports acquired or created in the course of employment are the property of the Company, including any hard
copies, electronic files, customer lists, computer hardware and software, statistical analyses, handbooks, internal documents, product
pricing business formulas and models, identification cards, keys, and access cards. Immediately before or upon termination of
employment, associates must return all property belonging to the Company. Associates are prohibited from retaining copies of any
such property. To the extent permitted by law, the Company reserves the right to withhold any funds due to an associate until all such
property has been returned.
These obligations shall continue after any termination of employment with the Company. Questions concerning the classification of
any information as being a trade secret or as proprietary or confidential information should be directed to the Legal Department.
Associates must not use or disclose any questionable information unless and until they are certain such use or disclosure is permitted.
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS
Associates must strictly comply with all U.S. laws governing foreign operations and the laws of each country in which the Company
conducts business. This includes the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act ("FCPA"), import and customs controls, export controls,
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