Symantec 2016 Annual Report Download - page 97

We have more than 1,700 patents, in addition to foreign patents and pending U.S. and foreign patent
applications, which relate to various aspects of our products and technology. The duration of our patents is
determined by the laws of the country of issuance and for the U.S. is typically 17 years from the date of issuance
of the patent or 20 years from the date of filing of the patent application resulting in the patent, which we believe
is adequate relative to the expected lives of our products.
Our products are protected under U.S. and international copyright laws and laws related to the protection of
intellectual property and proprietary information. We take measures to label such products with the appropriate
proprietary rights notices, and we actively enforce such rights in the U.S. and abroad. However, these measures
may not provide sufficient protection, and our intellectual property rights may be challenged. In addition, we
license some intellectual property from third parties for use in our products, and generally must rely on the third
party to protect the licensed intellectual property rights. While we believe that our ability to maintain and protect
our intellectual property rights is important to our success, we also believe that our business as a whole is not
materially dependent on any particular patent, trademark, license, or other intellectual property right.
Seasonality
As is typical for many large technology companies, our business is seasonal. Orders are generally higher in
our third and fourth fiscal quarters and lower in our first and second fiscal quarters. Revenue generally reflects
similar seasonal patterns but to a lesser extent than orders because revenue is not recognized until an order is
shipped or services are performed and other revenue recognition criteria are met, and because a significant
portion of our in-period revenue comes from our deferred revenue balance.
Employees
As of April 1, 2016, we employed more than 11,000 people worldwide, approximately 46% of whom reside
in the U.S. Approximately 3,000 employees work in sales and marketing, 4,000 in research and development,
2,000 in support and services, and 2,000 in management and administration.
Available information
Our Internet home page is located at www.symantec.com. We make available free of charge our annual
reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those
reports as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on our investor relations website located at www.symantec.com/invest. The
information contained, or referred to, on our website is not part of this annual report unless expressly noted. The
SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information
regarding our filings at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, you may read and copy any filing that we make with the
SEC at the public reference room maintained by the SEC, located at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549.
Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference room.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
A description of the risk factors associated with our business is set forth below. The list is not exhaustive and you
should carefully consider these risks and uncertainties before investing in our common stock.
If we are unsuccessful at addressing our business challenges, our business and results of operations may be
adversely affected and our ability to invest in and grow our business could be limited.
For the last few years, we have experienced a number of transitions as we have attempted to revitalize our
business model, improve execution and innovate new products and services. These transitions have involved
significant turnover in management and other key personnel, changes in our strategic direction and, more
9