DFS Annual Report

If we are unable to protect our proprietary technology and other rights, the value of our business and our competitive position may be impaired. If we are unable to protect our intellectual property, our competitors could use our intellectual property to market products and services similar to ours, which could decrease demand for our services. We rely on a combination of patents, trademarks, licensing and other proprietary rights laws, as well as third party nondisclosure agreements and other contractual provisions and technical measures, to protect our intellectual property rights. These protections may not be adequate to prevent our competitors from copying or reverse-engineering our technology and services to create similar offerings. Additionally, any of our pending or future patent applications may not be issued with the scope of protection we seek, if at all. The scope of patent protection, if any, we may obtain from our patent applications is difficult to predict and our patents may be found invalid, unenforceable or of insufficient scope to prevent competitors from offering similar services. Our competitors may independently develop technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior to our technology. To protect our proprietary information, we require employees, consultants, advisors, independent contractors and collaborators to enter into confidentiality agreements and maintain policies and procedures to limit access to our trade secrets and proprietary information. These agreements and the other actions we take may not provide meaningful protection for our proprietary information or know-how from unauthorized use, misappropriation or disclosure. Further, existing patent laws may not provide adequate or meaningful protection in the event competitors independently develop technology, products or services similar to ours. Even if the laws governing intellectual property rights provide protection, we may have insufficient resources to take the legal actions necessary to protect our interests. In addition, our intellectual property rights and interests may not be afforded the same protection under the laws of foreign countries as they are under the laws of the United States. We have in the past acquired and intend in the future to acquire other businesses, and we may be unable to successfully integrate the operations of these businesses and may not achieve the cost savings and increased net sales anticipated as a result of these acquisitions. Achieving the anticipated benefits of acquisitions will depend in part upon our ability to integrate these businesses in an efficient and effective manner. The integration of companies that have previously operated independently may result in significant challenges, and we may be unable to accomplish the integration smoothly or successfully. In particular, the coordination of geographically dispersed organizations with differences in corporate cultures and management philosophies may increase the difficulties of integration. The integration of acquired businesses may also require the dedication of significant management resources, which may temporarily distract management’s attention from the day-to-day operations of the Company. In addition, the process of integrating operations may cause an interruption of, or loss of momentum in, the activities of one or more of the Company’s businesses and the loss of key personnel from the Company or the acquired businesses. Further, employee uncertainty and lack of focus during the integration process may disrupt the businesses of the Company or the acquired businesses. The Company’s strategy is, in part, predicated on the Company’s ability to realize cost savings and to increase net sales through the acquisition of businesses that add to the breadth and depth of the Company’s products and services. Achieving these cost savings and net sales increases is dependent upon a number of factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. In particular, the Company may not be able to realize the benefits of more comprehensive product and service offerings, anticipated integration of sales forces, asset rationalization and systems integration. Our business is dependent upon brand recognition and reputation, and the failure to maintain or enhance our brand or reputation would likely have an adverse effect on our business. Our brand recognition and reputation are important aspects of our business. Maintaining and further enhancing our brands and reputation will be important to retaining and attracting clients for our products. We also believe that the importance of our brand recognition and reputation for products will continue to increase as competition in the market for our products and industry continues to increase. Our success in this area will be dependent on a wide range of factors, some of which are out of our control, including the efficacy of our marketing efforts, our ability to retain existing and obtain new clients and strategic partners, human error, the quality and perceived value of our products and services, actions of our competitors and positive or negative publicity. Damage to our reputation and loss of brand equity may reduce demand for our products and services and negatively impact our results of operations, financial position and cash flow. 18