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Our investment activity remained at a low level in 2003 and in 2004. We may make selective minority investments in start-up ventures and
certain other companies where we believe the relationship could lay the foundation for future alliances that would support our customer
solutions. In certain circumstances, we may also acquire an equity position in a company as consideration for a divested business. See
“Developments in 2003 and 2004 — Directory and operator services business” in the MD&A section of this report.
Research and development
In order to remain among the technology leaders in anticipated growth areas, we intend to continue to make strategic investments in our
research and development activities. Our research and development activities — specifically, research, design and development, systems
engineering and other product development activities — represent focused investments to drive market leadership across our product
portfolios. We refer you to the four “Product development” discussions contained in the descriptions of Wireless Networks, Enterprise
Networks, Wireline Networks and Optical Networks above.
Our research and development investments are focused on network transformation and next generation products and solutions including
wireless voice and data, voice over packet, multimedia services and applications, broadband networking and network security. We also conduct
network planning and systems engineering on behalf of, or in conjunction with, major customers. Although we derive many of our products
from substantial internal research and development activities, we supplement this with technology acquired or licensed from third parties.
Our research and development forms a core strength and is a factor differentiating us from many of our competitors. As at December 31, 2003,
we employed approximately 13,600 regular full-time research and development employees (excluding employees on notice of termination)
including approximately:
In August and September 2004, we announced a new strategic plan that includes a focused workforce reduction of approximately 3,250
employees, or about 10% of our workforce. It is expected that approximately 1,400 regular full-time research and development employees will
be affected by the workforce reduction, which is expected to principally affect employees in Wireline Networks and Optical Networks. See
“Employee relations”.
We also conduct research and development activities through affiliated laboratories in other countries.
The following table sets forth our consolidated expenses for research and development for each of the three fiscal years ended December 31:
Intellectual property
Our intellectual property is fundamental to Nortel Networks and the business of each of our four reportable segments. In particular, our success
is dependent upon our proprietary technology. We generate, maintain, utilize and enforce a substantial portfolio of intellectual property rights,
including trademarks, and an extensive portfolio of patents covering significant innovations arising from research and development activities.
In all of our reportable segments, we use our intellectual property rights to protect our investments in research and development activities, to
strengthen our leadership positions, to protect our good name, to promote our brand name recognition, to enhance our competitiveness and to
otherwise support our business goals and objectives. However, our intellectual property rights may be challenged, invalidated or circumvented,
or
20
• 5,310 regular full-time research and development employees in Canada;
• 5,010 regular full-time research and development employees in the United States;
• 2,400 regular full-time research and development employees in EMEA; and
• 880 regular full-time research and development employees in other countries.
(millions of dollars) 2003 2002 2001
R&D expense $ 1,960 $ 2,083 $ 3,116
R&D costs incurred on behalf of others
(a)
72 49 68
Total $ 2,032 $ 2,132 $ 3,184
(a) These costs included research and development charged to our customers pursuant to contracts that provided for full recovery of the estimated cost of development,
material, engineering, installation and all other applicable costs, which were accounted for as contract costs.