NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – (continued) (Dollars in millions except per share data) ENERGIZER 2000 ANNUAL REPOR T 42 Many of the foregoing legal matters are in preliminary stages and involve complex issues of law and fact, and may proceed for pro- tracted periods of time. The amount of alleged liability, if any, from Energizer and its subsidiaries are parties to a number of other legal proceedings in various jurisdictions arising out of the operations of the Energizer business. Total rental expense for all operating leases was $17.5, $21.5 and $19.7 in 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.  Lease Commitments – Future minimum rental commit- ments under noncancellable operating leases in effect as  of September 30, 2000 were: 2001 – $16.7; 2002 – $9.5;  2003 – $8.4; 2004 – $7.4; 2005 – $7.1; and thereafter – $34.3. The U.S. Patent Office continues to review the interference claims between Strategic Electronics (Energizer’s licensor) and Duracell  relating to use of the on-battery tester. A decision is not expected for several years. An earlier decision, which denied Energizer’s separate patent claims and those of Eastman Kodak Company (which are licensed to Duracell) was appealed to the federal district court for Washington, D.C. on February 2, 1998. Kodak filed a similar appeal, naming Energizer as a defendant on January 29, 1998. In a related matter, Strategic Electronics filed a declaratory judgment suit on September 9, 1999 in the federal district court for the Central District of California seeking additional payments of approximately $1.0 under the license. Energizer filed a motion to dismiss, which was granted in the spring of 2000. these proceedings cannot be determined with certainty. However, based upon present information, Energizer believes that its ultimate liability, if any, arising from pending legal proceedings, asserted legal claims and known potential legal claims which are likely to  be asserted, should not be material to Energizer’s financial position, taking into account established accruals for estimated liabilities. These liabilities, however, could be material to results of operations or cash flows for a particular quarter or annual period.  (17) OTHER COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES