We may become involved in claims, litigation or other proceedings that could harm the value of our business.
We are subject to, and may become a party to, various claims, lawsuits or other proceedings that arise in the ordinary course of our business. Our business is subject to the risk of litigation or other proceedings involving current and former employees, clients, partners, suppliers, shareholders or others. For example, participants in our clients’ benefit plans could claim that we did not adequately protect their data or secure access to their accounts. Regardless of the merits of the claims, the cost to defend litigation may be significant, and such matters can be time-consuming and divert management’s attention and resources. The outcomes of such matters in the ordinary course of our business are inherently uncertain, and adverse judgments or settlements could have a material adverse impact on our financial position or results of operations. In addition, we may become subject to future lawsuits, claims, audits and investigations, or suits, any of which could result in substantial costs and divert our attention and resources. Any claims or litigation, even if fully indemnified or insured, could damage our reputation and make it more difficult to compete effectively or to obtain adequate insurance in the future.
Our failure to protect our intellectual property rights, or allegations that we have infringed on the intellectual property rights of others, could harm our reputation, ability to compete effectively and financial condition.
To protect our intellectual property rights, we rely on a combination of trademark laws, copyright laws, patent laws, trade secret protection, confidentiality agreements and other contractual arrangements with our affiliates, employees, clients, strategic partners and others. However, the protective steps that we take may be inadequate to deter misappropriation of our proprietary information and technology. In addition, we may be unable to detect the unauthorized use of, or take appropriate steps to enforce, our intellectual property rights. Further, effective trademark, copyright, patent and trade secret protection may not be available in every country in which we offer our services or competitors may develop products similar to our products that do not conflict with our related intellectual property rights. Failure to protect our intellectual property adequately could harm our reputation and affect our ability to compete effectively.
In addition, to protect or enforce our intellectual property rights, we may initiate litigation against third parties, such as infringement suits or interference proceedings. Third parties may assert intellectual property rights claims against us, which may be costly to defend, could require the payment of damages and could limit our ability to use or offer certain technologies, products or other intellectual property. Any intellectual property claims, with or without merit, could be expensive, take significant time and divert management’s attention from other business concerns. Successful challenges against us could require us to modify or discontinue our use of technology or business processes where such use is found to infringe or violate the rights of others, or require us to purchase licenses from third parties (which may not be available on terms acceptable to us, or at all), any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
We might not be successful at acquiring, investing in or integrating businesses, entering into joint ventures or divesting businesses.
We may not successfully identify suitable investment opportunities. We expect to continue pursuing strategic and targeted acquisitions, investments and joint ventures to enhance or add to our skills and capabilities or offerings of services and solutions, or to enable us to expand in certain geographic and other markets. For example, we previously acquired Northgate Information Solutions Limited, a leading provider of global HR and Payroll services and more recently we acquired AON Retiree Health Exchange, Inc., an individual market solution that better supports employers and their retirees. We are still working towards fully integrating each of these acquisitions into our businesses.
Furthermore, we face risks in successfully integrating any businesses we might acquire or create through a joint venture or similar arrangement. Ongoing business may be disrupted, and our management’s attention may be diverted by acquisition, investment, transition or integration activities. In addition, we might need to dedicate additional management and other resources, and our organizational structure could make it difficult for us to efficiently integrate acquired businesses into our ongoing operations and assimilate and retain employees of those businesses into our culture and operations. The potential loss of key executives, employees, customers, suppliers and other business partners of businesses we acquire may adversely impact the value of the assets, operations or businesses. Furthermore, acquisitions or joint ventures may result in significant costs and expenses, including those
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