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These excerpts taken from the WBMD 10-K filed Feb 29, 2008. International
Regulation of Online Health Information Services
The WebMD Health Network is not directed to
non-U.S. users;
and nearly all of the users of our private portals are
U.S. employees or plan members. As a result, we do not
believe that we currently conduct our business in a manner that
subjects us to international data regulation in any material
respect. However, one element of our growth strategy is to seek
to expand our online services to markets outside the United
States.
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Generally, we expect that we would accomplish this through
partnerships or joint ventures with other companies having
expertise in the specific country or region, as was the case
with our entry into the physician marketplace in Latin America,
Spain and Portugal in 2007.
Many countries and governmental bodies have, or are developing,
laws that may apply to online health information services of the
types we provide, including laws regarding the collection, use,
storage and dissemination of personal information or patient
data. To the extent our operations are located within their
jurisdiction or are directed at individuals within their
jurisdiction, these laws may apply to us. In addition, those
governments may attempt to apply such laws extraterritorially or
through treaties or other arrangements with
U.S. governmental entities. To the extent we fail to
accurately anticipate the application or interpretation of these
laws, we could be subject to liability and adverse publicity,
which could negatively affect our business. In addition, these
laws may impose additional operational requirements or
restrictions on our business, affect the manner in which we use
or transmit data and increase our cost of doing business.
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This section describes circumstances or events that could have a
negative effect on our financial results or operations or that
could change, for the worse, existing trends in some or all of
our businesses. The occurrence of one or more of the
circumstances or events described below could have a material
adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations
and cash flows or on the trading prices of the Class A
Common Stock that we have issued or securities we may issue in
the future. The risks and uncertainties described in this Annual
Report are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and
uncertainties that are not currently known to us or that we
currently believe are immaterial may also adversely affect our
business and operations.
International Regulation of Online Health Information Services The WebMD Health Network is not directed to non-U.S. users; and nearly all of the users of our private portals are U.S. employees or plan members. As a result, we do not believe that we currently conduct our business in a manner that subjects us to international data regulation in any material respect. However, one element of our growth strategy is to seek to expand our online services to markets outside the United States.
Table of ContentsGenerally, we expect that we would accomplish this through partnerships or joint ventures with other companies having expertise in the specific country or region, as was the case with our entry into the physician marketplace in Latin America, Spain and Portugal in 2007. Many countries and governmental bodies have, or are developing, laws that may apply to online health information services of the types we provide, including laws regarding the collection, use, storage and dissemination of personal information or patient data. To the extent our operations are located within their jurisdiction or are directed at individuals within their jurisdiction, these laws may apply to us. In addition, those governments may attempt to apply such laws extraterritorially or through treaties or other arrangements with U.S. governmental entities. To the extent we fail to accurately anticipate the application or interpretation of these laws, we could be subject to liability and adverse publicity, which could negatively affect our business. In addition, these laws may impose additional operational requirements or restrictions on our business, affect the manner in which we use or transmit data and increase our cost of doing business.
Table of Contents
This section describes circumstances or events that could have a negative effect on our financial results or operations or that could change, for the worse, existing trends in some or all of our businesses. The occurrence of one or more of the circumstances or events described below could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows or on the trading prices of the Class A Common Stock that we have issued or securities we may issue in the future. The risks and uncertainties described in this Annual Report are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties that are not currently known to us or that we currently believe are immaterial may also adversely affect our business and operations. | EXCERPTS ON THIS PAGE:
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