To:
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`Subject:
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`Sent:
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`Sent As:
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`Attachments:
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`Home Box Office, Inc. (trademarks@hbo.com)
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`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 87047962 - HODOR - HODOR 25
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`8/19/2016 6:53:59 AM
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`ECOM106@USPTO.GOV
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`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE (USPTO)
`OFFICE ACTION (OFFICIAL LETTER) ABOUT APPLICANT’S TRADEMARK APPLICATION
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`*87047962*
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`CLICK HERE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER:
`http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/response_forms.jsp
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`VIEW YOUR APPLICATION FILE
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`U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. (cid:160) 87047962
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`(cid:160)M
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`ARK: HODOR
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`CORRESPONDENT ADDRESS:
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160) JUDITH MCCOOL
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160) HOME BOX OFFICE, INC.
`(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160) 1100 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS
`(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160)(cid:160) (cid:160) (cid:160) NEW YORK, NY 10036
`(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
`APPLICANT: Home Box Office, Inc.
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`(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)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`(cid:160) HODOR 25
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`trademarks@hbo.com
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`OFFICE ACTION
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`STRICT DEADLINE TO RESPOND TO THIS LETTER
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`(cid:160)T
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`O 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.
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`(cid:160)I
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`(cid:160)I
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`SSUE/MAILING DATE: 8/19/2016
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`ntroduction:
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`(cid:160)T
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`he referenced application has been reviewed by the assigned trademark examining attorney.(cid:160) Applicant must respond timely and completely to
`the issue(s) below.(cid:160) 15 U.S.C. §1062(b); 37 C.F.R. §§2.62(a), 2.65(a); TMEP §§711, 718.03.
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`(cid:160)S
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`earch:
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`(cid:160)T
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`he trademark examining attorney has searched the Office’s database of registered and pending marks and has found no conflicting marks that
`would bar registration under Trademark Act Section 2(d).(cid:160) TMEP §704.02; see 15 U.S.C. §1052(d).
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`(cid:160)S
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`UMMARY OF ISSUES:
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`Ornamentation Refusal
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`(cid:160)O
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`rnamentation Refusal:
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`(cid:160)R
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`egistration is refused because the applied-for mark as used on the specimen of record is merely a decorative or ornamental feature of
`applicant’s clothing and, thus, does not function as a trademark to indicate the source of applicant’s clothing and to identify and distinguish
`applicant’s clothing from others. (cid:160) Trademark Act Sections 1, 2, and 45, 15 U.S.C. §§1051-1052, 1127; see In re Lululemon Athletica Can. Inc.,
`105 USPQ2d 1684, 1689 (TTAB 2013); In re Pro-Line Corp., 28 USPQ2d 1141, 1142 (TTAB 1993); TMEP §§904.07(b), 1202.03 et seq.
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`(cid:160)W
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`hen evaluating a mark that appears to be ornamental, the size, location, dominance, and significance of the alleged mark as applied to the
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`(cid:160)
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`goods are all relevant factors in determining the commercial impression of the applied-for mark.(cid:160) See, e.g., In re Lululemon Athletica Can. Inc.,
`105 USPQ2d at 1687 (quoting In re Right-On Co., 87 USPQ2d 1152, 1156 (TTAB 2008)); In re Dimitri’s Inc. , 9 USPQ2d 1666, 1667 (TTAB
`1988); TMEP §1202.03(a).
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`(cid:160)W
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`ith respect to clothing, consumers may recognize small designs or discrete wording as trademarks, rather than as merely ornamental features,
`when located, for example, on the pocket or breast area of a shirt.(cid:160) See TMEP §1202.03(a).(cid:160) Consumers may not, however, perceive larger
`designs or slogans as trademarks when such matter is prominently displayed across the front of a t-shirt.(cid:160) See In re Pro-Line Corp., 28 USPQ2d at
`1142 (holding BLACKER THE COLLEGE SWEETER THE KNOWLEDGE centered in large letters across most of the upper half of a shirt, to
`be a primarily ornamental slogan that was not likely to be perceived as a source indicator); In re Dimitri’s Inc. , 9 USPQ2d at 1667-68 (holding
`SUMO used in connection with stylized depictions of sumo wrestlers and displayed in large lettering across the top-center portion of t-shirts and
`caps, to be an ornamental feature of the goods that did not function as a trademark); TMEP §1202.03(a), (b), (f)(i), (f)(ii).
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`(cid:160)I
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`n this case, the submitted specimen shows the applied-for mark, HODOR, located directly on the front of the shirt, where ornamental elements
`often appear.(cid:160) See TMEP §1202.03(a), (b).(cid:160) Furthermore, the mark is displayed in a relatively large size on the clothing such that it dominates the
`overall appearance of the goods.(cid:160) Lastly, the applied-for mark appears to be a slogan that is merely decorative and has little or no particular
`source-identifying significance.
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`(cid:160)T
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`herefore, consumers would view the applied-for mark as a decorative or ornamental feature of the goods, rather than as a trademark to indicate
`the source of applicant’s goods and to distinguish them from others.
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`(cid:160)I
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`n appropriate circumstances, applicant may overcome this refusal by satisfying one of the following options:
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`(1)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`Submit a different specimen (a verified “substitute” specimen ) that was in actual use in commerce at least as early as the filing
`date of the application (or prior to the filing of an amendment to allege use) and that shows proper trademark use for the
`identified goods in International Class 25.(cid:160) Examples of acceptable specimens that show non-ornamental use on clothing include
`hang tags and labels used inside a garment.
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`(cid:160)(
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`(cid:160)(
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`(cid:160)(
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`2)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`3)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`Amend to the Supplemental Register, which is a second trademark register for marks not yet eligible for registration on the
`Principal Register, but which may become capable over time of functioning as source indicators.
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`Claim acquired distinctiveness under Trademark Act Section 2(f) by submitting evidence that the applied-for mark has become
`distinctive of applicant’s goods; that is, proof that applicant’s extensive use and promotion of the mark allowed consumers now
`directly to associate the mark with applicant as the source of the goods.
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`4)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`Submit evidence that the applied-for mark is an indicator of secondary source; that is, proof that the mark is already recognized as
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`a source indicator for other goods or services that applicant sells/offers.(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`(5)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)(cid:160)
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`Amend the filing basis to intent to use under Section 1(b).(cid:160) This option will later necessitate additional fee(s) and filing
`requirements.
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`(cid:160)F
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`or an overview of all response options referenced above and instructions on how to satisfy each option online using the Trademark Electronic
`Application System (TEAS) form, please go to http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/law/ornamentalclothing.jsp.
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`(cid:160)Q
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`uestions:
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`(cid:160)I
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`f 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.
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`(cid:160)A
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`pplicant is encouraged to telephone or e-mail the assigned trademark examining attorney to resolve the issues raised in this Office action by
`examiner’s amendment. (cid:160) Although the USPTO will not accept a formal response by e-mail, an applicant may communicate informally by phone
`or e-mail with the trademark examining attorney to agree to a proposed amendment to the application that will immediately place the application
`in condition for publication for opposition, issuance of a registration, or suspension.(cid:160) See 37 C.F.R. §2.62(c); TMEP §707.
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`(cid:160)T
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`o expedite prosecution of the application, applicant is encouraged to file its response to this Office action online via the Trademark Electronic
`Application System (TEAS), which is available at http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/index.jsp.(cid:160) If applicant has technical questions about the
`TEAS response to Office action form, applicant can review the electronic filing tips available online at
`http://www.uspto.gov/trademarks/teas/e_filing_tips.jsp and e-mail technical questions to TEAS@uspto.gov.
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`(cid:160)
`

`

`/LDA/
`Lourdes Ayala, Attorney at Law
`Law Office 106
`Telephone Number 571-272-9316
`Fax: 571-272-9106
`Lourdes.Ayala@uspto.gov
`
`(cid:160)T
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`O 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.
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`(cid:160)A
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`ll informal e-mail communications relevant to this application will be placed in the official application record.
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`(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
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`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.
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`(cid:160)
`(cid:160)(cid:160)
`

`

`To:
`
`Subject:
`
`Sent:
`
`Sent As:
`
`Attachments:
`
`Home Box Office, Inc. (trademarks@hbo.com)
`
`U.S. TRADEMARK APPLICATION NO. 87047962 - HODOR - HODOR 25
`
`8/19/2016 6:54:01 AM
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`ECOM106@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 8/19/2016 FOR U.S. APPLICATION SERIAL NO. 87047962
`
`Please follow the instructions below:
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`(cid:160)(
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`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.”
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`(cid:160)T
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`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.
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`(cid:160)(
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`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 8/19/2016 (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
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`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.
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`(cid:160)(
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`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
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`(cid:160)F
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`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.
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`(cid:160)(cid:160)
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