The company's purpose is to develop, acquire, operate, transfer and trade patents, trademarks, service marks, licenses, know-how and other industrial and intellectual property rights; furthermore, to acquire and grant licenses, sub-licenses and similar rights and, if necessary, to protect derived rights from patents, trademarks, service marks, licenses, know-how and other industrial and intellectual property rights, licenses, sub-licenses and similar rights against third-party infringements; to finance companies and corporations; to participate in companies; to exercise management activities; to exercise trading activities. The company may establish branches and subsidiaries in Switzerland and abroad and participate in other companies in Switzerland and abroad, as well as conduct all business that is directly or indirectly related to its purpose. The company may acquire, encumber, sell and manage real estate in Switzerland and abroad. It may also provide financing for its own account or for third-party account, as well as provide guarantees and sureties for subsidiaries and third parties.