Crucial 2011 Annual Report Download - page 11

Patents and Licenses
In recent years, we have been recognized as a leader in per capita and quality of patents issued. As of September 1, 2011, we owned
approximately 17,100 U.S. patents and 3,200 foreign patents. In addition, we have numerous U.S. and foreign patent applications pending. Our
patents have various terms expiring through 2030.
We have a number of patent and intellectual property license agreements. Some of these license agreements require us to make one-time or
periodic payments. We may need to obtain additional patent licenses or renew existing license agreements in the future. We are unable to predict
whether these license agreements can be obtained or renewed on acceptable terms.
In recent years, we have recovered some of our investment in technology through sales or licenses of intellectual property rights to joint
venture partners and other third parties. We are pursuing additional opportunities to recover our investment in intellectual property through
additional sales or licenses of intellectual property and potential partnering arrangements.
Employees
As of September 1, 2011, we had approximately 26,100 employees, of which approximately 15,500 were outside the United States, including
approximately 7,600 in Singapore, 3,300 in Italy, 1,700 in China, 1,300 in Israel and 1,000 in Malaysia. Our employees include approximately
2,800 in our IM Flash joint ventures, primarily located in the United States and Singapore. Our employment levels can vary depending on market
conditions and the level of our production, research and product and process development. Many of our employees are highly skilled and our
continued success depends in part upon our ability to attract and retain such employees. The loss of key personnel could have a material adverse
effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
Environmental Compliance
Government regulations impose various environmental controls on raw materials and discharges, emissions and solid wastes from our
manufacturing processes. In 2011, our wholly-owned wafer fabrication facilities continued to conform to the requirements of ISO
14001certification. To continue certification, we met annual requirements in environmental policy, compliance, planning, management, structure
and responsibility, training, communication, document control, operational control, emergency preparedness and response, record keeping and
management review. While we have not experienced any materially adverse effects to our operations from environmental regulations, changes in
the regulations could necessitate additional capital expenditures, modification of our operations or other compliance actions.
Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
Our officers are appointed annually by the Board of Directors and our directors are elected annually by our shareholders. Any directors
appointed by the Board of Directors to fill vacancies on the Board serve until the next election by the shareholders. All officers and directors serve
until their successors are duly chosen or elected and qualified, except in the case of earlier death, resignation or removal.
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