Contingencies	3 Months Ended
Feb. 01, 2013
Contingencies
Contingencies	Contingencies Litigation *General.* The company is party to litigation in the ordinary course of business. Litigation occasionally involves claims for punitive as well as compensatory damages arising out of use of the company’s products. Although the company is self-insured to some extent, the company maintains insurance against certain product liability losses. The company is also subject to litigation and administrative and judicial proceedings with respect to claims involving asbestos and the discharge of hazardous substances into the environment. Some of these claims assert damages and liability for personal injury, remedial investigations or clean-up and other costs and damages. The company is also typically involved in commercial disputes, employment disputes, and patent litigation cases in which it is asserting or defending against patent infringement claims. To prevent possible infringement of the company’s patents by others, the company periodically reviews competitors’ products. To avoid potential liability with respect to others’ patents, the company regularly reviews certain patents issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) and foreign patent offices. Management believes these activities help minimize its risk of being a defendant in patent infringement litigation. *Canadian Lawnmower Engine Horsepower Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation.* In March 2010, individuals who claim to have purchased lawnmowers in Canada filed class action litigation against the company and other defendants that, similar to the class action litigation previously filed by plaintiffs in the United States and settled by the company pursuant to a settlement agreement that became final in February 2011, (i) contains allegations under applicable Canadian law that the horsepower labels on the products the plaintiffs purchased were inaccurate, (ii) seeks certification of a class of all persons in Canada who, beginning January 1, 1994 purchased a lawnmower containing a gas combustible engine up to 30 horsepower that was manufactured or sold by the company and other defendants, and (iii) seeks under applicable Canadian law unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, attorneys’ costs and fees, and equitable relief. Management continues to evaluate this Canadian litigation and, in the event the company is unable to favorably resolve this litigation, while management does not currently believe that this litigation would have a material adverse effect on the company’s annual consolidated operating results or financial condition, an unfavorable resolution or outcome could be material to the company’s consolidated operating results for a particular period.

Contingencies

3 Months Ended

Feb. 01, 2013

Contingencies

Litigation

General. The company is party to litigation in the ordinary course of business. Litigation occasionally involves claims for punitive as well as compensatory damages arising out of use of the company’s products. Although the company is self-insured to some extent, the company maintains insurance against certain product liability losses. The company is also subject to litigation and administrative and judicial proceedings with respect to claims involving asbestos and the discharge of hazardous substances into the environment. Some of these claims assert damages and liability for personal injury, remedial investigations or clean-up and other costs and damages. The company is also typically involved in commercial disputes, employment disputes, and patent litigation cases in which it is asserting or defending against patent infringement claims. To prevent possible infringement of the company’s patents by others, the company periodically reviews competitors’ products. To avoid potential liability with respect to others’ patents, the company regularly reviews certain patents issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (“USPTO”) and foreign patent offices. Management believes these activities help minimize its risk of being a defendant in patent infringement litigation.

Canadian Lawnmower Engine Horsepower Marketing and Sales Practices Litigation. In March 2010, individuals who claim to have purchased lawnmowers in Canada filed class action litigation against the company and other defendants that, similar to the class action litigation previously filed by plaintiffs in the United States and settled by the company pursuant to a settlement agreement that became final in February 2011, (i) contains allegations under applicable Canadian law that the horsepower labels on the products the plaintiffs purchased were inaccurate, (ii) seeks certification of a class of all persons in Canada who, beginning January 1, 1994 purchased a lawnmower containing a gas combustible engine up to 30 horsepower that was manufactured or sold by the company and other defendants, and (iii) seeks under applicable Canadian law unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, attorneys’ costs and fees, and equitable relief.

Management continues to evaluate this Canadian litigation and, in the event the company is unable to favorably resolve this litigation, while management does not currently believe that this litigation would have a material adverse effect on the company’s annual consolidated operating results or financial condition, an unfavorable resolution or outcome could be material to the company’s consolidated operating results for a particular period.