English to Portuguese Law/Patents Law (general)

Benefit Service means, subject to the special rules described below, the number of a Participant’s years (including fractions of a year) of (i) employment as an Employee with one or more Employer Companies while such Employer Company is an Employer Company, and (ii) employment with one or more Employer Companies while such Employer Company is an Employer Company, but not as an Employee, provided that such employment precedes the Participant’s period of employment as an Employee. No Benefit Service credit will be given with respect to service with an Employer Company that follows a Participant’s period of employment as an Employee, unless the Participant subsequently becomes an Employee and earns at least one month of Benefit Service in such capacity. Except as specifically provided otherwise, no Benefit Service credit will be given with respect to employment with an Employer Company prior to the date it first becomes an Employer Company.