64892--5/30/2008--MENTOR_CORP

related topics

{product, market, service}

{regulation, change, law}

{property, intellectual, protect}

{loss, insurance, financial}

{product, liability, claim}

{acquisition, growth, future}

{cost, regulation, environmental}

{system, service, information}

{customer, product, revenue}

{provision, law, control}

{personnel, key, retain}

{regulation, government, change}

{condition, economic, financial}

{operation, international, foreign}

We are subject to substantial government regulation, which could have a material adverse effect on our business. Any delay or failure to gain regulatory approval for our products, or the ability of our competitors to get new products, which compete with our existing products, approved before us, could also materially adversely affect our business. If we are unable to continue to develop and commercialize new technologies and products, we may experience a decrease in demand for our products, or our products could become obsolete. If we are unable to compete effectively with existing or new competitors, we could experience price reductions, reduced demand for our products, reduced margins and loss of market share, and our business, results of operations, and financial condition would be adversely affected. If we suffer negative publicity concerning the safety of our products, our sales may be harmed and we may be forced to withdraw products. If changes in the economy and consumer spending reduce consumer demand for our products, our sales and profitability could suffer. If we are unable to implement new information technology systems or upgrade existing systems, our ability to manufacture and sell products, maintain regulatory compliance, and manage and report our business activities may be impaired, delayed, or diminished, which would cause substantial business interruption and loss of sales, customers, and profits. If we are unable to acquire companies, businesses or technologies as part of our growth strategy or to successfully integrate past acquisitions, our growth, sales, and profitability could suffer. We depend upon our key personnel and our ability to attract, train, and retain employees. State legislatures and taxing authorities may create new laws or change their interpretation of existing state and local tax laws that may affect future product demand or create unforeseen tax liabilities. If our intellectual property rights do not adequately protect our products or technologies, others could compete against us more directly, which would hurt our profitability. If third parties claim we are infringing their intellectual property rights, we could suffer significant litigation, indemnification, or licensing expenses or be prevented from marketing our products. We depend on the continued use of our manufacturing plants and on single and sole source suppliers for certain raw materials and licensed or manufactured products, and the loss of, or disruption to, any plant or supplier could adversely affect our ability to manufacture or sell many of our products. Our international business exposes us to a number of risks. Health care reimbursement or reform legislation could materially affect our business. If our use of hazardous materials results in contamination or injury, we could suffer significant financial loss. Changes in financial accounting standards may cause adverse unexpected revenue or expense fluctuations and affect our reported results of operations. Our operating results may fluctuate substantially, and could precipitate unexpected movement in the price of our common stock and convertible notes. Hedging transactions and other transactions may affect the value of the notes. Our Restated Articles of Incorporation provide our Board with the authority to issue blank check preferred stock. The issuance of blank check preferred stock could adversely affect the market price and the rights and powers, including voting rights, of our common stock, and decrease the amount of earnings and assets allocable to or available for distribution to holders of our common stock.

Full 10-K form ▸

64892--5/30/2008--MENTOR_CORP_/MN/