To:
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`Subject:
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`Sent:
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`Sent As:
`
`Attachments:
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`PANASONIC CORPORATION (trademark@hsml.com)
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`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 86416292 - TECHNICS - 8279.1749US0
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`1/11/2016 6:43:45 AM
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`ECOM110@USPTO.GOV
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)
`OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) ABOUT APPLICANT’S TRADEMARK APPLICATION
`
`*86416292*
`
`CLICK HERE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER:
`http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp
`
`VIEW YOUR APPLICATION FILE
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`U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. (cid:160) 86416292
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`(cid:160)M
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`ARK: TECHNICS
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`CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS:
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160) CURTIS B. HAMRE
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160) HAMRE, SCHUMANN, MUELLER & LARSON, P.C.
`(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) PO BOX 2902
`(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160) MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55402-0902
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`APPLICANT: PANASONIC CORPORATION
`
`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`(cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)
`CORRESPONDENT’S REFERENCE/DOCKET NO :(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`CORRESPONDENT E-MAIL ADDRESS:(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`(cid:160) 8279.1749US0
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`trademark@hsml.com
`
`STRICT DEADLINE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER
`TO AVOID ABANDONMENT OF APPLICANT’S TRADEMARK APPLICATION, THE USPTO MUST RECEIVE APPLICANT’S
`COMPLETE RESPONSE TO THIS LETTER WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF THE ISSUE/MAILING DATE BELOW.
`
`OFFICE ACTION
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`(cid:160)I
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`SSUE/MAILING DATE: 1/11/2016
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`(cid:160)N
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`ON FINAL ACTION
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`Prior Pending Applications (cancelled)
`Likelihoood of Confusion
`Inquiry
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`(cid:160)T
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`he prior pending applications previously cited have now been cancelled (85693449, 86303206, 86243524 and 86243522).
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`(cid:160)W
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`ith respect to the refusal based on 2(d), the refusal is maintained as below:
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`(cid:160)L
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`IKELIHOOD OF CONFUSION – REFUSAL AS TO IC 9
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`(cid:160)R
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`egistration of the applied-for mark is refused because of a likelihood of confusion with the mark in U.S. Registration No. 4618878.(cid:160) Trademark
`Act Section 2(d), 15 U.S.C. §1052(d); see TMEP §§1207.01 et seq.(cid:160) See the previously enclosed registration.
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`(cid:160)T
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`rademark Act Section 2(d) bars registration of an applied-for mark that so resembles a registered mark that it is likely a potential consumer
`would be confused, mistaken, or deceived as to the source of the goods and/or services of the applicant and registrant.(cid:160) See 15 U.S.C. §1052(d).(cid:160)
`A determination of likelihood of confusion under Section 2(d) is made on a case-by case basis and the factors set forth in In re E. I. du Pont de
`Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d 1357, 1361, 177 USPQ 563, 567 (C.C.P.A. 1973) aid in this determination. (cid:160) Citigroup Inc. v. Capital City Bank Grp.,
`Inc., 637 F.3d 1344, 1349, 98 USPQ2d 1253, 1256 (Fed. Cir. 2011) (citing On-Line Careline, Inc. v. Am. Online, Inc., 229 F.3d 1080, 1085, 56
`USPQ2d 1471, 1474 (Fed. Cir. 2000)).(cid:160) Not all the du Pont factors, however, are necessarily relevant or of equal weight, and any one of the
`factors may control in a given case, depending upon the evidence of record.(cid:160) Citigroup Inc. v. Capital City Bank Grp., Inc., 637 F.3d at 1355, 98
`
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`

`

`USPQ2d at 1260; In re Majestic Distilling Co., 315 F.3d 1311, 1315, 65 USPQ2d 1201, 1204 (Fed. Cir. 2003); see In re E. I. du Pont de
`Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d at 1361-62, 177 USPQ at 567.
`
`In any likelihood of confusion determination, two key considerations are similarity of the marks and similarity or relatedness of the goods and/or
`services.(cid:160) In re Aquamar, Inc., 115 USPQ2d 1122, 1126 (TTAB 2015) (citing Federated Foods, Inc. v. Fort Howard Paper Co., 544 F.2d 1098,
`1103, 192 USPQ 24, 29 (C.C.P.A. 1976)); In re Iolo Techs., LLC, 95 USPQ2d 1498, 1499 (TTAB 2010); see TMEP §1207.01.(cid:160) That is, the
`marks are compared in their entireties for similarities in appearance, sound, connotation, and commercial impression.(cid:160) In re Viterra Inc., 671 F.3d
`1358, 1362, 101 USPQ2d 1905, 1908 (Fed. Cir. 2012) (quoting In re E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., 476 F.2d 1357, 1361, 177 USPQ 563, 567
`(C.C.P.A. 1973)); TMEP §1207.01(b)-(b)(v).(cid:160) Additionally, the goods and/or services are compared to determine whether they are similar or
`commercially related or travel in the same trade channels.(cid:160) See Coach Servs., Inc. v. Triumph Learning LLC, 668 F.3d 1356, 1369-71, 101
`USPQ2d 1713, 1722-23 (Fed. Cir. 2012); Herbko Int’l, Inc. v. Kappa Books, Inc. , 308 F.3d 1156, 1165, 64 USPQ2d 1375, 1381 (Fed. Cir.
`2002); TMEP §1207.01, (a)(vi).
`
`(cid:160)I
`
`n this case, the following factors are the most relevant:(cid:160) similarity of the marks, similarity and nature of the goods and/or services, and similarity
`of the trade channels of the goods and/or services.(cid:160) See In re Viterra Inc., 671 F.3d 1358, 1361-62, 101 USPQ2d 1905, 1908 (Fed. Cir. 2012); In
`re Dakin’s Miniatures Inc. , 59 USPQ2d 1593, 1595-96 (TTAB 1999); TMEP §§1207.01 et seq.
`
`(cid:160)C
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`OMPARISON OF THE MARKS
`Marks are compared in their entireties for similarities in appearance, sound, connotation, and commercial impression.(cid:160) Stone Lion Capital
`Partners, LP v. Lion Capital LLP, 746 F.3d 1317, 1321, 110 USPQ2d 1157, 1160 (Fed. Cir. 2014) (quoting Palm Bay Imps., Inc. v. Veuve
`Clicquot Ponsardin Maison Fondee En 1772, 396 F. 3d 1369, 1371, 73 USPQ2d 1689, 1691 (Fed. Cir. 2005)); TMEP §1207.01(b)-(b)(v).(cid:160)
`“Similarity in any one of these elements may be sufficient to find the marks confusingly similar.” (cid:160) In re Davia, 110 USPQ2d 1810, 1812 (TTAB
`2014) (citing In re White Swan Ltd., 8 USPQ2d 1534, 1535 (TTAB 1988); In re 1st USA Realty Prof’ls, Inc. , 84 USPQ2d 1581, 1586 (TTAB
`2007)); TMEP §1207.01(b).
`Applicant’s mark is TECHNICS for Radios; IC memory and/or hard disc players/recorders; Radio/compact disc players; Portable audio players;
`MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer-3) players; Cases for portable audio players; Speakers (audio equipment); Stereo tuners; Amplifiers; Power
`amplifiers; Power amplifiers for automotive audio system; Microphones; Slip mats for turntable for record players; IC recorders (voice
`recorders); Digital sound processors; Headphones; Cordless headphones; Earphones; Stereo components; Audio mixers; Audio equipment
`cleaners; Optical fiber cables; Audio cables/video cables; Wireless microphone system consisting of wireless microphones, wireless transmitters,
`wireless powered speaker, wireless receivers, wireless amplifiers, diversity tuners; Digital multi equalizers; Digital multi processors; Car audio
`apparatus; Audio-visual equipment for automotive audio-visual systems including radios, DVD players, CD players, televisions, displays,
`monitors for rearview camera systems; speakers for automotive audio systems; Subwoofers for automotive audio-visual systems; Audio cables
`for use with DVD/CD changer; Audio visual machines, apparatus and instruments; Television receivers; Plasma television receivers; Plasma
`displays; Plasma display panels; Stands for plasma display panels or plasma television receivers; Wall mount bracket for plasma display panels
`or plasma television receivers; LCD television receivers; Liquid crystal displays; Liquid crystal display panels; LCD video monitors; Wireless
`displays; 3D (three dimensional) television apparatus; Combined television receivers incorporating disc/video tape players; Video tuners; LCD
`(liquid crystal display) projectors; DVD video recorders; DVD video players; Video display terminals; Color image large-scale display
`apparatus; Switching device for live image production; Digital audiovisual mixers; Table racks for televisions; Digital photograph players to be
`connected with television apparatus; Video monitors; Home theater system; Antennas for television receivers; Optical disc drives; Optical disc
`recorders; Optical disc players; Optical disc changers; Optical disc cartridges; Optical disc players/recorders/drives and parts thereof; Lens
`cleaning discs for optical disc players; Smartphones; Accessories for cellular phones; Hands free kits for mobile-phones; IP telephones; Car
`navigation equipment; Hand held navigation apparatus for assistance of travels; Protection films for use on screens of navigation apparatus;
`Remote controllers for navigation apparatus; Stands for navigation apparatus; Cables for navigation apparatus; Computers; Computer peripheral
`devices; Tablet computers; Mobile computers; Hard disc drives; USB cables; Monitors (computer hardware); Multimedia tablet computers;
`Computer networks; Computer servers; External data storage media; Blank optical discs; SD (secure digital) memory cards; Semi-conductors;
`Semiconductor memory devices; Integrated circuits; Speaker components; Noise filter; Carrying cases, holders, protective cases and stands for
`use with handheld digital electronic devices, namely, Tablet PC, Computers and Cell Phones; Smart watch phones; Control system for the remote
`operation of audio-visual apparatus, comprising computers, computer terminals, software, and electromechanical controls; Electronic apparatus
`for the remote control of audio-visual apparatus; Computer programs for the remote control of audio-visual apparatus; Computer terminals;
`Digital audio players; Audio electronic components, namely, surround sound systems; Audio mixers; Digital audio recorders; Record turntables;
`Mobile phones; Audio equipment for vehicles, namely, digital audio players, speakers, amplifiers; Navigation apparatus for vehicles; personal
`digital assistants; Electronic organizers; Electronic notepads; Computer and electronic games; Audio receivers. International Class 9.
`Registrant’s mark is SCREEN TECHNICS for Electronic displays, namely, digital signage; flat panel display screens; light emitting diode
`(LED) displays and liquid crystal displays (LCD) large-screen displays for advertising; electronic LED signs for sporting events and signaling;
`electronic control and signaling apparatus, namely, lighting control apparatus; computer controlled installations of liquid crystal display screens;
`electric or electronic control screens, namely, flat panel display screens; projection screens for movie films; flat panel display screens for
`electronic data processing apparatus; fluorescent screens; flat panel image display screens; interactive graphics computer screens; liquid crystal
`display screens; computer monitors; motion picture screens, namely, projection screens; photographic projection screens; projection screens;
`optical projection screens; movie projector, television and projection screen and flat panel screen lifters, namely, armatures for use in electrical
`apparatus, mechanical remote controls for motors; screens for cinematographic projection; screens for use with visual display units, namely,
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`

`

`electronic display screens; tactile electronic display screens; touch sensitive electronic display screens; electronic display screens for use with
`videos; visual electronic display screens; automatic access control systems, namely, electronic networked controls for motors; computer
`programs for designing electronic networked control systems for motors; electric access control systems, namely, electronic networked controls
`for motors; electronic control systems for machines, namely, electronic networked motor control system utilizing internet protocols, voltage
`switching, infra-red and radio frequency control; IP video servers, voltage regulators and infra-red and radio frequency electrical controllers.
`computer firmware for electronic networked motor control system utilizing internet protocols, voltage switching, infra-red and radio frequency
`control for small decentralized control systems for motors; remote control systems utilizing beams of light, namely, infra-red transmitter device;
`motor control systems that allows integrated control over AC and DC motors and actuators, for audiovisual environments and automated window
`coverings, namely, networked motor controller; mounts for optical components, namely, motorized camera mounts and supports; electronic
`controllers for operating window blinds. International Class 9.
`The marks are highly similar, and are identical, in part as to TECHNICS.
`COMPARISON OF THE GOODS
`The goods and/or services of the parties need not be identical or even competitive to find a likelihood of confusion.(cid:160) See On-line Careline Inc. v.
`Am. Online Inc., 229 F.3d 1080, 1086, 56 USPQ2d 1471, 1475 (Fed. Cir. 2000); Recot, Inc. v. Becton, 214 F.3d 1322, 1329, 54 USPQ2d 1894,
`1898 (Fed. Cir. 2000) (“[E]ven if the goods in question are different from, and thus not related to, one another in kind, the same goods can be
`
`related in the mind of the consuming public as to the origin of the goods.”); TMEP §1207.01(a)(i). (cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`The respective goods and/or services need only be “related in some manner and/or if the circumstances surrounding their marketing [be] such
`that they could give rise to the mistaken belief that [the goods and/or services] emanate from the same source.” (cid:160) Coach Servs., Inc. v. Triumph
`Learning LLC, 668 F.3d 1356, 1369, 101 USPQ2d 1713, 1722 (Fed. Cir. 2012) (quoting 7-Eleven Inc. v. Wechsler, 83 USPQ2d 1715, 1724
`(TTAB 2007)); TMEP §1207.01(a)(i).
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he goods in this cases are highly related and in some parts are identical. In this case goods comprise electronics that will travel the same trade
`channels and be encountered by the same class of purchasers (see previous evidence).
`Therefore, confusion is likely, as consumers would believe that both applicant’s goods and registrant’s goods emanate from a single source.
`Accordingly, registration is refused under Trademark Act Section 2(d).
`In addition, please respond to the following INQUIRY.
`INQUIRY
`
`Does TECHNICS have any meaning in connection with the identified goods or in the field of use. 2.61(b).
`Although applicant’s mark has been refused registration, applicant may respond to the refusal(s) by submitting evidence and arguments in
`support of registration.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`If applicant has questions regarding this Office action, please telephone or e-mail the assigned trademark examining attorney.(cid:160) All relevant e-
`mail communications will be placed in the official application record; however, an e-mail communication will not be accepted as a response to
`this Office action and will not extend the deadline for filing a proper response.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §§2.62(c), 2.191; TMEP §§304.01-.02, 709.04-
`.05.(cid:160) Further, although the trademark examining attorney may provide additional explanation pertaining to the refusal(s) and/or requirement(s) in
`this Office action, the trademark examining attorney may not provide legal advice or statements about applicant’s rights.(cid:160) See TMEP §§705.02,
`709.06.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`/Dezmona J. Mizelle-Howard/
`Dezmona J. Mizelle-Howard
`Dezmona.Mizelle@uspto.gov
`Trademark Examining Attorney
`U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
`Law Office 110
`571.272.9368
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER: (cid:160) Go to http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp. (cid:160) Please wait 48-72 hours from the
`issue/mailing date before using the Trademark Electronic Application System (TEAS), to allow for necessary system updates of the application.(cid:160)
`For technical assistance with online forms, e-mail TEAS@uspto.gov.(cid:160) For questions about the Office action itself, please contact the assigned
`trademark examining attorney.(cid:160) E-mail communications will not be accepted as responses to Office actions; therefore, do not respond to
`this Office action by e-mail.
`
`(cid:160)
`

`

`All informal e-mail communications relevant to this application will be placed in the official application record.
`
`(cid:160)W
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`HO MUST SIGN THE RESPONSE:(cid:160) It must be personally signed by an individual applicant or someone with legal authority to bind an
`applicant (i.e., a corporate officer, a general partner, all joint applicants).(cid:160) If an applicant is represented by an attorney, the attorney must sign the
`
`response.(cid:160)(cid:160)
`PERIODICALLY CHECK THE STATUS OF THE APPLICATION: (cid:160) To ensure that applicant does not miss crucial deadlines or official
`notices, check the status of the application every three to four months using the Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TSDR) system at
`http://tsdr.uspto.gov/. (cid:160) Please keep a copy of the TSDR status screen. (cid:160) If the status shows no change for more than six months, contact the
`Trademark Assistance Center by e-mail at TrademarkAssistanceCenter@uspto.gov or call 1-800-786-9199. (cid:160) For more information on checking
`status, see http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/process/status/.
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`(cid:160)T
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`O UPDATE CORRESPONDENCE/E-MAIL ADDRESS:(cid:160) Use the TEAS form at http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/correspondence.jsp.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`

`

`To:
`
`Subject:
`
`Sent:
`
`Sent As:
`
`Attachments:
`
`PANASONIC CORPORATION (trademark@hsml.com)
`
`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 86416292 - TECHNICS - 8279.1749US0
`
`1/11/2016 6:43:46 AM
`
`ECOM110@USPTO.GOV
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)
`
`IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING YOUR
`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION
`
`USPTO OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) HAS ISSUED
`ON 1/11/2016 FOR U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 86416292
`
`Please follow the instructions below:
`
`(cid:160)(
`
`1)(cid:160) TO READ THE LETTER:(cid:160) Click on this link or go to http://tsdr.uspto.gov, enter the U.S. application serial number, and click on
`“Documents.”
`
`(cid:160)T
`
`he Office action may not be immediately viewable, to allow for necessary system updates of the application, but will be available within 24
`hours of this e-mail notification.
`
`(cid:160)(
`
`2)(cid:160) TIMELY RESPONSE IS REQUIRED:(cid:160) Please carefully review the Office action to determine (1) how to respond, and (2) the applicable
`response time period.(cid:160) Your response deadline will be calculated from 1/11/2016 (or sooner if specified in the Office action).(cid:160) For information
`regarding response time periods, see http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/process/status/responsetime.jsp.
`
`(cid:160)D
`
`o NOT hit “Reply” to this e-mail notification, or otherwise e-mail your response because the USPTO does NOT accept e-mails as
`responses to Office actions.(cid:160)
`Instead, the USPTO recommends that you respond online using the Trademark Electronic Application System
`(TEAS) response form located at http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp.
`
`(cid:160)(
`
`3)(cid:160) QUESTIONS:(cid:160) For questions about the contents of the Office action itself, please contact the assigned trademark examining attorney.(cid:160) For
`technical assistance in accessing or viewing the Office action in the Trademark Status and Document Retrieval (TSDR) system, please e-mail
`TSDR@uspto.gov.
`
`WARNING
`
`(cid:160)F
`
`ailure to file the required response by the applicable response deadline will result in the ABANDONMENT of your application.(cid:160) For
`more information regarding abandonment, see http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/basics/abandon.jsp.
`
`PRIVATE COMPANY SOLICITATIONS REGARDING YOUR APPLICATION:(cid:160) Private companies not associated with the USPTO are
`using information provided in trademark applications to mail or e-mail trademark-related solicitations.(cid:160) These companies often use names that
`closely resemble the USPTO and their solicitations may look like an official government document.(cid:160) Many solicitations require that you pay
`
`“fees.” (cid:160)(cid:160)
`
`Please carefully review all correspondence you receive regarding this application to make sure that you are responding to an official document
`from the USPTO rather than a private company solicitation.(cid:160) All official USPTO correspondence will be mailed only from the “United States
`Patent and Trademark Office” in Alexandria, VA; or sent by e-mail from the domain “@uspto.gov.” (cid:160) For more information on how to handle
`private company solicitations, see http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/solicitation_warnings.jsp.
`
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
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