Thisre-engineering process could require significant additional research and development resources and time, and Credit Karma may not be able to complete it successfully. In addition to risks related to license requirements, use of certain open source software can lead to greater risks than use of third-party commercial software, as open source licensors generally do not provide warranties or controls on the origin of software.
Government regulation of the Internet, mobile devices ande-commerce is evolving, and unfavorable changes could substantially adversely affect Credit Karma’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Credit Karma is subject to general business regulations and laws as well as federal and state regulations and laws specifically governing the Internet, mobile devices ande-commerce that are constantly evolving. Existing and future laws and regulations, or changes thereto, may impede the growth of the Internet, mobile devices,e-commerce or other online services, and increase the cost of providing online services, require Credit Karma to change its business practices or raise compliance costs or other costs of doing business. These regulations and laws, which continue to evolve, may cover taxation, tariffs, user privacy, data protection, pricing, content, copyrights, distribution, social media marketing, advertising practices, sweepstakes, mobile, electronic contracts and other communications, consumer protection, broadband residential Internet access and the characteristics and quality of services. It is not clear how existing laws governing issues such as property ownership, sales, use and other taxes, libel and personal privacy apply to the Internet ande-commerce. In addition, as Credit Karma continues to expand internationally, it is possible that foreign government entities may seek to censor content available on Credit Karma’s mobile applications or website or may even attempt to block access to Credit Karma’s mobile applications and website. Any failure, or perceived failure, by Credit Karma to comply with any of these laws or regulations could result in damage to Credit Karma’s reputation and brand, a loss in business and proceedings or actions against Credit Karma by governmental entities or others, which could adversely affect Credit Karma’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
Credit Karma faces potential liability, expenses for legal claims and harm to its business based on the nature of its business.
Credit Karma faces potential liability, expenses for legal claims and harm to its business relating to the nature of its business generally, and with the personal finance services Credit Karma facilitates in particular.
Credit Karma is regularly subject to claims, lawsuits, arbitration proceedings, government investigations and other legal, regulatory and other administrative proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including those involving personal injury, property damage, worker classification, labor and employment, anti-discrimination, commercial disputes, competition, consumer complaints, intellectual property disputes, compliance with regulatory requirements and other matters, and Credit Karma may become subject to additional types of claims, lawsuits, government investigations and legal or regulatory proceedings as its business grows and as Credit Karma deploys new services.
In addition, Credit Karma faces potential liability and expense for claims relating to the information that it publish on its website and mobile applications, including claims for trademark and copyright infringement, defamation, libel and negligence, among others.
The results of any such claims, lawsuits, arbitration proceedings, government investigations or other legal or regulatory proceedings cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty. Any claims against Credit Karma, whether meritorious or not, could be time-consuming, result in costly litigation, be harmful to Credit Karma’s reputation, require significant management attention and divert significant resources. Determining reserves for Credit Karma’s pending litigation is a complex and fact-intensive process that requires significant subjective judgment and speculation. It is possible that a resolution of one or more such proceedings could result in substantial damages, settlement costs, fines and penalties that could adversely affect Credit Karma’s business, financial condition and results of operations. These proceedings could also result in harm to Credit Karma’s reputation and brand, sanctions, consent decrees, injunctions or other orders requiring a change in Credit Karma’s business practices. Any of these consequences could adversely affect Credit Karma’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Furthermore, under certain circumstances, Credit Karma has contractual and other legal obligations to indemnify and to incur legal expenses on behalf of its business and commercial partners and current and former directors and officers.
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