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Our Intellectual Property Mission Provide competitive technology or strategic business advantage to FCE by vigorously protecting FCE's strong IP position in Direct FuelCell® (DFC®) fuel cells, securing a strong IP position for selected other fuel cell-related technologies, and recognizing the innovative technology leadership of the FCE team. Our Patents The patents that we have obtained will expire between 2008 and 2024 and the average remaining life of our U.S. patents is approximately 11.4 years. Our DFC power plants are protected by 48 U.S. and 85 international patents and we have also submitted 38 U.S. and 131 international patent applications. The FCE patent portfolio is constantly being updated with newly granted patents and publication of new applications. See the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (note that some of our older patents can be searched under our prior corporate name, Energy Research Corporation). Our Trade Secrets and Protection of Our IP Some of our intellectual property is not covered by any patent or patent application and includes trade secrets and other know-how that is not patentable, particularly as it relates to our manufacturing processes and engineering design. We protect our proprietary IP, including trade secrets or other IP that may not be patented or patentable, with confidentiality agreements and (as applicable) inventors' rights agreements with our subcontractors, vendors, suppliers, consultants, strategic partners and employees. We encourage our scientists and engineers to monitor our competitors, their products and their literature to stay abreast of the latest technology developments and to make sure our technology is not being used without our authorization. Our Intellectual Property Strategy We are continually developing improvements to our IP portfolio, including patents, trade secrets, software and/or copyrights, to:
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