We have seven U.S. patents issued dating back to 1989 on our microprocessor technology (the “Microprocessor Patents”). We have one microprocessor technology patent issued in five European countries and one patent issued in Japan and may file additional applications under international treaties depending on an evaluation of the costs and anticipated benefits that may be obtained by expanding possible patent coverage. In addition, we have one U.S. patent issued on ground penetrating radar technology and one U.S. patent issued on one of the communications products.
We have one U.S. patent on our ground penetrating radar technology. No foreign application has been made. There are a large number of patents owned by others in the radar field generally and in the field of ground penetrating radar specifically. Accordingly, although we are not aware of any possible infringement and have not received any notices of claimed infringement, we may receive such claims in the future.
In November, 2004, a patent application was filed titled “Remote Power Charging of Electronic Devices” with assignment to Patriot Scientific Corporation. We are in the initial early stages of evaluating this technology and its applicability and feasibility for further research and development.
There can be no assurance that any patents will be issued from pending or future applications or that any patents that are issued will provide meaningful protection or other commercial advantages to us. Although we intend to protect our rights vigorously, there can be no assurance that these measures will be successful.
We generally require all of our employees and consultants, including our management, to sign a non-disclosure and invention assignment agreement upon employment with us.