Plantronics 2010 Annual Report Download - page 16

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INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
We maintain a program of seeking patent protection for our technologies when we believe it is commercially appropriate. As of
March 31, 2010, we had 497 worldwide patents in force, expiring between 2010 and 2034.
Our success will depend in part on our ability to obtain patents and preserve other intellectual property rights covering the design and
operation of our products. We intend to continue to seek patents on our inventions when commercially appropriate. The process of
seeking patent protection can be lengthy and expensive, and there can be no assurance that patents will be issued for currently pending
or future applications or that our existing patents or any new patents issued will be of sufficient scope or strength or provide
meaningful protection or any commercial advantage to us. We may be subject to, or may initiate, litigation or patent office
interference proceedings, which may require significant financial and management resources. The failure to obtain necessary licenses
or other rights or the advent of litigation arising out of any such intellectual property claims could have a material adverse effect on
our operations.
We own trademark registrations in the U.S. and a number of other countries with respect to the Plantronics and Clarity trademarks as
well as the names of many of our products and product features. We currently have U.S. and foreign trademark applications pending
in connection with certain new products and product features. We also attempt to protect our trade secrets and other proprietary
information through comprehensive security measures, including agreements with customers and suppliers, and proprietary
information agreements with employees and consultants. We may seek copyright protection where we believe it is applicable. We
own a number of domain name registrations and intend to seek more as appropriate. There can be no assurance that our existing or
future copyright registrations, trademarks, trade secrets, or domain names will be of sufficient scope or strength or provide meaningful
protection or any commercial advantage to us.
EMPLOYEES
On March 31, 2010, we employed approximately 3,200 people worldwide, including approximately 2,200 employees at our
manufacturing facility in Tijuana, Mexico. To our knowledge, no employees are currently covered by collective bargaining
agreements.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
Set forth below is certain information regarding the executive officers of Plantronics and their ages as of March 31, 2010.
NAME AGE POSITION
rads 54 President, Clarity
ilip Vanhoutte 54 Managing Director, Europe, Middle East & Africa
Larry Wuerz 52 Senior Vice President, Worldwide Operations
Ken Kannappan 50 President and Chief Executive Officer
Don Houston 55 Senior Vice President, Sales
Barry Margerum 58 Chief Strategy Officer
Renee Niemi 45 Senior Vice President, Communication Solutions
Mike Perkins 51 Vice President, Product Development & Technology
Barbara Scherer 54 Senior Vice President, Finance & Administration and Chief Financial Officer
Carsten T
Ph
Mr. Kannappan joined Plantronics in 1995 as Vice President of Sales and was promoted to various positions prior to being named
President and Chief Operating Officer in March 1998. In 1999, he was promoted to Chief Executive Officer and appointed to the
Board of Directors. Prior to joining Plantronics, Mr. Kannappan was Senior Vice President of Investment Banking for Kidder,
Peabody & Co. Incorporated, where he was employed from 1985 to 1995. Mr. Kannappan has a Bachelor of Arts degree in
Economics from Yale University and a Master of Business Administration from Stanford University. Mr. Kannappan also serves as
Chairman of the Board of Directors at Mattson Technology, Inc., a supplier of advanced process equipment for the semiconductor
industry.