Starbucks 2009 Annual Report Download - page 15

Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights and Domain Names
The Company owns and has applied to register numerous trademarks and service marks in the US and in many
additional countries throughout the world. Some of the Company’s trademarks, including Starbucks, the Starbucks
logo, Frappuccino, Seattle’s Best Coffee and Tazo are of material importance to the Company. The duration of
trademark registrations varies from country to country. However, trademarks are generally valid and may be
renewed indefinitely as long as they are in use and/or their registrations are properly maintained.
The Company owns numerous copyrights for items such as product packaging, promotional materials, in-store
graphics and training materials. The Company also holds patents on certain products, systems and designs. In
addition, the Company has registered and maintains numerous Internet domain names, including “Starbucks.com”,
“Starbucks.net”, and “Seattlesbest.com.”
Research and Development
Starbucks research and development teams are responsible for the technical development of food and beverage
products and new equipment. The Company spent approximately $6.5 million, $7.2 million and $7.0 million during
fiscal 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, on technical research and development activities, in addition to customary
product testing and product and process improvements in all areas of its business.
Seasonality and Quarterly Results
The Company’s business is subject to seasonal fluctuations, including fluctuations resulting from the holiday
season. The Company’s cash flows from operations are considerably higher in the first fiscal quarter than the
remainder of the year. This is largely driven by cash received as Starbucks Cards are purchased and loaded during
the holiday season. Since revenues from the Starbucks Card are recognized upon redemption and not when
purchased, seasonal fluctuations on the consolidated statements of earnings are much less pronounced. Quarterly
results are affected by the timing of the opening of new stores and the closing of existing stores. For these reasons,
results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for the full fiscal year.
Employees
The Company employed approximately 142,000 people worldwide as of September 27, 2009. In the US, Starbucks
employed approximately 111,000 people, with 105,000 in Company-operated retail stores and the remainder in the
Company’s administrative and regional offices, and store development, roasting and warehousing operations.
Approximately 31,000 employees were employed outside of the US, with 30,000 in Company-operated retail stores
and the remainder in the Company’s regional support facilities and roasting and warehousing operations. The
number of the Company’s employees represented by unions is not significant. Starbucks believes its current
relations with its employees are good.
Global Responsibility
Starbucks is committed to being a deeply responsible company in the communities where it does business around
the world. The Company’s focus is on ethically sourcing high-quality coffee, reducing its environmental impacts
and contributing positively to communities. Starbucks Global Responsibility strategy and commitments are integral
to the Company’s overall business strategy. As a result, Starbucks believes it delivers benefits to the Company and
its stakeholders, including employees, business partners, customers, suppliers, shareholders, community members
and others. For an overview of Starbucks Global Responsibility strategy and commitments, please visit
www.starbucks.com.
Available Information
Starbucks 10-K reports, along with all other reports and amendments filed with or furnished to the Securities and
Exchange Commission (“SEC”), are publicly available free of charge on the Investor Relations section of Starbucks
website at http://investor.starbucks.com or at www.sec.gov as soon as reasonably practicable after these materials
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