Company: TXG
Filing Date: 2025-05-09
Form Type: 10-Q
Source: 0001770787-25-000032
Chunk: 123

Company: 10x Genomics, Inc.
Filing Date: 2025-05-09
Form: 10-Q
Item: Part I, Item 8
Chunk 123
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 require coordinating with co-applicants, if any, adding complexity to any such decision.

The legal systems in certain countries may also favor state-sponsored or companies headquartered in particular jurisdictions over our first-in-time patents and other intellectual property protection. We are aware of incidents where such entities have stolen the intellectual property of domestic companies in order to create competing products and we believe we may face such circumstances ourselves in the future. For example, through its “Annual Special 301 Report on Intellectual Property,” the Office of the United States Trade Representative (“USTR”) has been reporting on the adequacy and effectiveness of intellectual property protection in a number of foreign countries that are U.S. trading partners and their protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights. A number of countries in which both we and our distributors operate have been identified in the reports as being on the Priority Watch List. Placement of a country on the Priority Watch List indicates that particular problems exist in that country with respect to intellectual property protection, enforcement, or market access for persons relying on intellectual property rights. Countries placed on the Priority Watch List are the focus of increased bilateral attention concerning the specific problem areas. It is possible that we will not be able to enforce our intellectual property rights against third parties that misappropriate our proprietary technology in those countries.

Additionally, organizational changes to the USPTO could increase the uncertainties, timing and costs related to the prosecution of our patent applications. For example, in response to the deferred resignation program offered by the United States Office of Personnel Management to all employees of the United States federal civil service on January 28, 2025, a number of USPTO employees have resigned or indicated their intent to resign, including USPTO Commissioner for Patents Vaishali Udupa. Reductions in the staff available to process, review and make decisions regarding patent applications as well as complete other patent-related activities could delay or prevent us from successfully prosecuting our current or future patent applications. 

Intellectual property rights do not necessarily address all potential threats to our competitive advantage.

The degree of future protection afforded by our intellectual property rights is uncertain because intellectual property rights have limitations and may not adequately protect our business or permit us to maintain our competitive advantage. For example:

•others may independently develop, manufacture and commercialize products, services or technologies that are similar to or are alternatives or duplicates of any of our products, services or technologies without infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating our intellectual property rights;

•issued patents that we hold rights to may be held invalid or unenforceable, including as