Company: CCO
Filing Date: 2025-02-24
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0001334978-25-000008
Chunk: 36

Company: Clear Channel Outdoor Holdings, Inc.
Filing Date: 2025-02-24
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 1A
Chunk 36
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 competition, the possibility of intellectual property rights claims against us will grow. Any lawsuits regarding intellectual property rights, regardless of their success, could be expensive to resolve and would divert the time and attention of our management and technical personnel.

As a result of intellectual property infringement claims, or to avoid potential claims, we may choose or be required to seek licenses from third parties. These licenses may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. Even if we are able to obtain a license, the license would likely obligate us to pay license fees or royalties or both, and the rights granted to us might be nonexclusive, with the potential for our competitors to gain access to the same intellectual property. In addition, the scope of the licenses granted to us may not include rights covering all of the products, services and technologies provided by us. The occurrence of any of the foregoing could harm our business, operating results and financial condition.

Furthermore, we have been, and may be, subject to various other legal proceedings, regulatory actions, claims, inquiries and investigations from time to time relating to our business. Legal claims have been asserted against us, and could be asserted, by individuals, either individually or through class actions, by governmental entities in civil or criminal investigations and proceedings, or by other entities. A large portion of our litigation arises in the following contexts: commercial disputes, personal injury claims, employment and benefits-related claims, land use and zoning disputes, governmental fines, intellectual property claims and tax disputes. An adverse outcome of a legal proceeding, regulatory action or government investigation may damage our reputation, force us to adjust our business practices, and/or has required us, and may require us in the future, to pay significant damages, fines or settlement amounts.

Claims that our suppliers infringe on the intellectual property rights of others could cause disruptions in our supply chain.

Our suppliers have received, and in the future may receive, claims that they have infringed the intellectual property rights of others. Any such claim, with or without merit, could result in disruptions to our supply chain. If our suppliers are not successful in defending allegations of infringement, they could be required to redesign their product offerings and could be prevented from manufacturing the products supplied to us in a timely or cost-effective manner, if at all. A reduction or interruption in our suppliers’ production, an increase in our supply purchasing costs derived from reduced competition or otherwise, or an inability to secure alternative sources of supply on substantially the terms and conditions currently available to us could have a material adverse effect on our business, results