Marketing
Sponsorship Program Guidelines
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1.
Overview
The MSI Computer Corp. (MSI) Channel Marketing Development Fund (MDF)
is a resource available to MSI registered Resellers (Partners)
for funding demand generation activities that increase sales. Activities
may include: trade shows, direct mail, seminars, telemarketing,
joint advertising, joint collateral, sales tools, training
and other types of programs. Upon prior approval, Channel Partners
will receive reimbursement for the negotiated expenses associated
with a specific activity.
All activities must receive written prior approval from MSI in order
to qualify for the program. To plan marketing activities, Partners
should contact their MSI Channel Sales Account Manager and/or Channel
Marketing Manager.
1-1. Earning & Spending of Funds
MDF will be offered at the discretion and approval of MSI, upon the
submission of a marketing plan and MSI Marketing Development Fund
Prior Approval Form. Once a marketing plan and prior approval form
is submitted and approved, the activity is authorized to take place
and funds will be allocated according to the guidelines.
The amount of MDF is mutually agreed between MSI and Partner and also
related to the dollar amount of product purchased. MDF is accruable
up to certain period of time, and the fund will be expired after a
determined period of time. If it is not claimed, such fund shall no
longer be available to Partner. Reimbursement will always be made
from the oldest applicable funds in this program.
1-2. Disclaimer
MSI may at its sole discretion and without notice, modify this program
at any time. Program funding reflects funds that MSI have set aside
to reimburse Partners for specific pre-approved activities. Until
such time as MSI approves a Partner claim for payment, the funds belong
exclusively to MSI.
2. Funding Process
2-1. Approval
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Always
work with your MSI Channel Account Manager and Channel Marketing
Manager to plan marketing activity |
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No later than 30 days prior to commencement
of an activity or program, complete and submit the Marketing
Development Fund Prior Approval Form to MSI Channel Marketing
Manager for approval. |
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Prior
approval is required for all marketing activities. No payments
can be made prior to an event. |
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Partners
will receive an email written confirmation of approval within
three (3) days of receiving the Prior Approval
Form. |
2-2. MDF Claim
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After
completion of the activity and/or program, complete and submit
the Marketing Development Fund Claim Form along with a Proof
of Performance and original, unaltered invoice, within
forty-five (45) days, to:
Via e-mail: MDF@msicomputer.com
Via mail:
MSI Computer Corp.
Attn: Channel Marketing MDF
901 Canada Court
City of Industry, CA 91748 |
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To
avoid processing delays, it is recommended to include a copy
of the Marketing Development Fund Prior Approval Form with the
claim form |
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Incomplete
claim forms and/or insufficient documentation will not be paid.
Partner will be notified in writing (email) that additional
information is required. If additionally requested documentation
has not been received within fifteen (15) days
from the date of notification, the claim will be terminated. |
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Partner
is not allowed to deduct MDF, whether it has been prior approved
or not, from payment of product purchased or service performed
from MSI. Such action may result the account being on hold until
the short pay issue is resolved. |
2-3. Reimburse Payment
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Once
MSI receives your Claim Form with complete documentation, it
will be acknowledged by an email, be reviewed for completion
and approved for payment. |
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Payment
will be issued within thirty (30) days of receiving the Claim
Form. |
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Partners
who purchase directly from MSI will be paid in the form of a
credit memo. |
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Partners
who do not purchase directly from MSI will be issued by a company
check, unless other form of payment indicated. |
3. Guidelines
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Proper
use of MSI’s name, logo and trademarks as indicated in
the Logo Guidelines (Exhibit A). |
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Information
presented must not be misleading or deceptive as to price, product,
performance, feature, or specifications. |
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Programs
and activities must be appropriate in message and tone in keeping
with MSI overall company and brand identity. |
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MSI
will only pay for the portion of the activity that directly
promotes our company and products. In the case of multi-vendor
activities, MSI’s contribution will be pro-rated to the
percentage of the activity dedicated to MSI |
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In
the case of multi-vendor activities, other products must be
non-competing. |
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Reimbursement
payments will be made directly to MSI Partner. Partners are
responsible for all invoices directly to their suppliers including,
but not limited, printing, ad placement, postage, agency and
all the related services. |
4. Eligible Activities
The following outlines the key marketing options to which Channel
Marketing Development Funds (MDF) may be applied. The categories are
outlined with the understanding that any activity undertaken involved
the promotion of MSI products to generate increased sales and business
opportunities.
4-1. Direct Mail/Newsletter
Qualifying Activities
• Printing of direct mail pieces, product flyers, postcard announcements,
newsletters and materials
Requirements
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Correct
trademark notations or credit lines in copy, logos |
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The
MSI corporate logo and product logos and any registered trademarks
must be applied in accordance with the MSI Logo Guidelines |
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Non-competitive
third-party products may also be included in advertising |
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Information
must not make misleading or deceptive claims |
Reimbursement
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Production
costs (Layout, Typesetting, Photography) |
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Distribution
costs (mailing list/database fees, mail house services, postage) |
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Original
copy of mailer required |
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Agency
fees & commission fees not reimbursable |
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Any
Mailer and Newsletters where third-party products (no competing
products) or Partners are featured will be prorated to reimburse
the MSI portion only. |
4-2. Seminars and Workshops
Qualifying Activities
• MSI focused seminars or workshops done in conjunction with
MSI Partner and/or third party complementary technology
Requirements
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Seminar
or workshop must focus on MSI product or solutions |
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Advertising,
invitations and print materials must include proper use of MSI
logo, trademarks and credit lines |
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The
MSI corporate logo and product logos and any registered trademarks
must be applied in accordance with the MSI Logo Guidelines |
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List
of attendees required for seminar and training classes |
Reimbursement
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Any
seminar or workshop where third-party products are featured
will be pro-rated to reimburse the MSI portion only |
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Training:
registration form and certificate of completion; location room
rental, food & non-alcoholic beverages |
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Seminar:
hotel invoices and list of attendees; location room rental,
food & non-alcoholic beverages |
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Invitation,
printing and postage all events |
4-3. Trade Shows and Events
Qualifying Activities
• Trade shows and events done in conjunction with MSI Partners
• Advertising and invitations, seminar materials and handouts
to promote attendance
• Open House events
• Product Showcases / Expos
Requirements
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Trade
Shows, Events, Open Houses and Product Showcases/Expos advertising,
invitations and print materials must include proper use of MSI
logo trademark and credit lines |
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The
MSI corporate logo and product logos and any registered trademarks
must be applied in accordance with the MSI Logo Guidelines |
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Any
trade show or event where third-party products or Partners are
featured will be prorated to reimburse the MSI portion only
(no competing products) |
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Name
and logo identified equally on signage |
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List
of attendees for open house |
Reimbursement
• Photograph of vendor display
• Tradeshow: booth/space rental, electrical and furnishings
• Invitations, printing and postage all events
4-4. Advertising and Media Placement
Qualifying Activities
• Promotional activities that involve advertisements in magazines,
catalogs, newspapers and journals
• Media broadcasts on radio and TV networks, videos, ”On-Hold”
message
• Inserts or flyers in publications
Requirements
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Partner
must obtain a printed rate schedule and circulation statement
for each medium employed. |
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The
MSI corporate logo and product logos and any registered trademarks
must be applied in accordance with the MSI Logo Guidelines |
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All
media broadcast material must promote the MSI name and MSI product
range in an appropriate manner. Scripts must be submitted to
MSI for prior approval before such activity is undertaken. |
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Discount,
rebate, agency fees or commission fees not reimbursable |
Reimbursement
• MSI will reimburse actual media or space cost and not rate
card expenditures
• Production costs (Layout, Typesetting, Photography) for a
MSI specific ad
• Original invoices with rates, broadcast duration and dates
aired
• Written radio or video script
• Any Advertising and Media placement where third-party products
(no competing products) or Partners are featured will be prorated
to reimburse the MSI portion only.
4-5. Catalogs and Buyer’s Guides
Qualifying Activities
• Promotion activity that involves representing and advertising
MSI products in a Partner’s company catalog, buyer guide, price
book
Requirements
• The MSI corporate logo and product logos and any registered
trademarks must be applied in accordance with the MSI Logo Guidelines
Reimbursement
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Portion
of catalog printing and production costs that are dedicated
to MSI |
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Advertising
placement costs |
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Design,
color separation fees, agency fees, commission fees or any other
costs other than printing and production costs will not be reimbursed |
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Any
Catalogs and printed guides where third-party products (no competing
products) or Partners are featured will be prorated to reimburse
the MSI portion only. |
4-6. Web Promotions
Qualifying Activities
• Web and e-Commerce campaigns
• Production and distribution of web banners, product spotlights
and other web dedicated pages for MSI products
• Web-based purchasing tools for ease or ordering
Requirements
• The MSI corporate logo and product logos and any registered
trademarks must be applied in accordance with the MSI Logo Guidelines
Reimbursement
• Web advertising creative fees, web advertising placement costs
• Costs of distribution services such as list serves
• Costs of purchased list serves and placement
• Agency fees or commissions fee not reimbursable
4-7. Public Relations
Qualifying Activities
• Production and distribution of a press release by an agency
• Publication of press articles in print or on the web
Requirements
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The
MSI corporate logo and product logos and any registered trademarks
must be applied in accordance with the MSI Logo Guidelines |
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Prior
to distribution to the press, a MSI public relations representative
must approve all references and statements relating to MSI,
and MSI products. This approval stage is independent of the
expense approval. |
Reimbursement
• Copy of press release or articles
• MSI will reimburse for PR agency fees, press release circulation
include postage
4-8. Sales Tool and Collateral
Qualifying Activities
• Any type of tool that will aid in the understanding and selling
of the MSI product line. Tools can be but are not limited to brochures,
product guides, competitive matrices, training presentations, customer
presentations, ROI calculators, web modules, etc.
Requirements
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The
MSI corporate logo and product logos and any registered trademarks
must be applied in accordance with the MSI Logo Guidelines |
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All
Sales tools and collateral must promote the MSI name and MSI
product range in an appropriate manner. Drafts of such tools
and collateral must be submitted to MSI for prior approval before
final production. |
Reimbursement
• Production costs/materials (layout, typesetting, photography)
• Distribution costs (mailing lists, mail house services, postage)
• Any Sales Tool and Collateral where third-party products (no
competing products) or Partners are featured will be prorated to reimburse
the MSI portion only.
4-9. Sales Training
Qualifying Activities
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Activity
that is focused on increasing the knowledge of MSI product line
and selling points within the Partner’s organization. |
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Any
type of media including but not limited to CDs, web casts, video,
in-person training, lunch-n-learns, on-line learning applications,
etc. |
Requirements
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All
training deliverable must promote the MSI name and MSI product
range in an appropriate manner. Training scripts, presentations
and handouts must be submitted to MSI for prior approval before
such activity undertaken. |
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The
MSI corporate logo and product logos and any registered trademarks
must be applied in accordance with the MSI Logo Guidelines |
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List
of attendees required for training classes |
Reimbursement
• Production costs (layout, typesetting, photography)
• Any training where third-party products are featured will
be prorated to reimburse the MSI portion only
• Training: registration form & certificate of completion;
location room rental, food and non-alcoholic beverages
5. Ineligible Activities
5-1. Direct Margin Subsidy or Support
Channel Marketing Development Funds are not to be used to lower the
cost of products, subsidize margins, fees or interest rates through
a promotion or otherwise
5-2. Travel Expenses
Channel Marketing Development Funds may not be used for travel related
expenses.
6. Contacts
To submit a MDF Prior Approval and Claim Forms
MSI Channel Marketing -MDF
Via email: MDF@msicomputer.com
Via mail:
MSI Computer Corp.
Channel Marketing – MDF
901 Canada Court
City of Industry, CA 91748
Exhibit A
MSI Logo Guidelines
TRADEMARK AND GRAPHIC USAGE AGREEMENT
MSI Computer Corp. ("MSI") grants qualified System Integrators
and National Distributors Partners (Partner) limited permission to
use the trademarks ("MSI Trademarks") or graphics ("MSI
Graphics") provided herein solely in connection with the advertising,
marketing, promotion and sale of Partner products with the terms and
conditions provided below. You must agree to abide by these terms
and conditions before you download, copy, or use the MSI Trademarks
or MSI Graphics provided herein. Any such downloading, copying or
use indicates your acceptance of these terms and conditions. If you
do not agree to these terms and conditions, do not download, copy,
or use the MSI Trademarks or MSI Graphics.
I. MSI Trademarks
| 1. |
Partner
shall use the MSI Trademarks only in the manner specified by
MSI in the MSI Trademark and Logo Usage Guidelines provided
by MSI. The MSI Trademark and Logo Usage Guidelines may be modified
by MSI from time to time. |
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Partner
shall comply with the following terms and conditions:
i. Partner shall use the MSI Trademarks solely
in connection with the corresponding MSI products and not for
any other goods and/or services.
ii. Partner's company name, logo or product
name shall appear on any products or related materials where
an MSI Trademark is used.
iii. Partner shall not combine the MSI Trademarks
with any other trademark, trade name, other logo, words, graphics,
photos, slogans, numbers, design features, or symbols.
iv. Partner shall not use the MSI Trademarks
in any manner that may disparage the MSI Trademarks or impair
the validity, scope, title or goodwill of MSI in the MSI Trademarks.
v. In each publication or other item produced
or caused to be produced by Partner that includes any MSI Trademark,
Partner agrees to provide a specific trademark attribution that
uses a ™ or ®, as appropriate, and acknowledges MSI
Computer Corp. as the owner of the trademark(s) used. Such acknowledgement
shall be in a font size customarily used and at least as large
as other trademark attribution. |
| 3. |
The
Size of MSI and MSI logo must be illustrated at least as large
as Partner’s own company name and logo, unless specific
request granted. |
| 4. |
Partner
acknowledges the great value of the goodwill associated with
the MSI Trademarks and further acknowledges that MSI is the
sole and exclusive owner of the MSI Trademarks and the goodwill
associated therewith. Partner agrees that it will not, either
during or after the term of this Agreement, contest, attack
or dispute, or assist another party in contesting, attacking
or disputing MSI's title or rights in the MSI Trademarks. |
| 5. |
Partner
shall defend, indemnify and hold MSI harmless from and against
any claims, lawsuits, judgments, losses, damages, costs and
attorney's fees at all levels of proceedings arising from an
unauthorized or negligent use by Partner of MSI's Trademarks
or the trademarks of a third party.
i. Partner shall inform MSI, within a reasonable time, of any
unauthorized use of the MSI Trademarks that comes to the attention
of Partner. MSI shall have the right, but not the obligation,
to take action against any unauthorized user. |
II. MSI Graphics
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Partner
shall comply with the following terms and conditions:
i. Partner shall use the MSI Graphics solely
in connection with the corresponding MSI products and not for
any other goods and/or services.
ii. Partner shall not use the MSI Graphics
in any manner that may disparage the MSI Graphics or impair
the validity, scope, title or goodwill of MSI in the MSI Graphics.
iii. In each publication or other item produced
or caused to be produced by Partner that includes any MSI Graphics,
Partner agrees to provide a specific attribution that acknowledges
Micro-Star Int'l Co., Ltd as the owner of the graphic(s) used.
Such acknowledgement shall be in a font size customarily used
and at least as large as other trademark attribution.
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III. Partner acknowledges that use of the MSI Trademarks and/or
MSI Graphics in no way implies sponsorship by MSI of Partner's company,
products and/or services. Partner shall not use the MSI Trademarks
and/or MSI Graphics in any manner that implies MSI's sponsorship of
Partner's company, products and/or services.
IV. Partner acknowledges that the MSI Trademarks and MSI Graphics
shall not be modified to infringe the copyright, trademark or common
law rights of any person or entity; and that nothing contained in
material produced by the Partner that incorporates the MSI Trademarks
or the MSI Graphics will constitute a libel or slander against, or
violate or infringe upon any right, common law or otherwise, of any
kind or nature whatsoever, of any person or entity, including, without
limitation, any right of privacy or publicity. PARTNER AGREES TO DEFEND,
INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS MSI AND ITS LICENSORS, AND ANY OF THEIR
DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AFFILIATES OR AGENTS, FROM AND AGAINST
ANY AND ALL LOSS, DAMAGE, LIABILITY AND OTHER EXPENSES (INCLUDING
REASONABLE ATTORNEYS' FEES), RESULTING FROM PARTNER'S BREACH OF THE
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT OR OTHER IMPROPER USE OF THE
MSI TRADEMARKS OR MSI GRAPHICS.
V. Warranty Disclaimer
ALL MATERIALS PROVIDED BY MSI, INCLUDING THE MSI TRADEMARKS AND THE
MSI GRAPHICS, ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY
KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. MSI HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES AND
CONDITIONS WITH REGARD TO MATERIALS, INCLUDING ALL WARRANTIES, IMPLIED
OR EXPRESS, OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE,
TITLE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL MSI BE LIABLE FOR ANY
DAMAGES WHATSOEVER, (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, DAMAGES RESULTING
FROM LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS), WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT,
NEGLIGENCE OR OTHER TORT RELATED ACTION, ARISING OUT OF, OR IN CONNECTION
WITH, OR IN CONTEMPLATION OF THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF MATERIALS PROVIDED
FROM THIS SERVER, EVEN IF MSI HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY
OF SUCH DAMAGES.
VI. Termination
1. Partner's failure to comply with the terms and conditions of this
Agreement shall result in an immediate termination of this Agreement.
2. MSI reserves the right to withdraw permission to use the MSI Trademarks
and/or the MSI Graphics, in its sole discretion.
3. Upon the expiration or termination of this Agreement, the rights
and licenses granted hereby to Partner shall immediately terminate
and Partner shall immediately cease to use the MSI Trademarks and/or
MSI Graphics.
VII. Other
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Any
claim arising under or relating to this Agreement shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with, the substantive laws of
the State of California, without regard to principles of conflict
of laws. Each party hereto submits to the jurisdiction of the
state and federal courts of Los Angeles County and the Central
District of California for the purposes of all legal proceedings
arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the subject
matter hereof. Each party waives any objection that it may have
to contest such forum. |
| 2. |
Should
any court of competent jurisdiction declare any term of this
Agreement void or unenforceable, such declaration shall have
no effect on the remaining terms hereof. |
| 3. |
The
failure of either party to enforce any rights granted hereunder
or to take action against the other party in the event of any
breach hereunder shall not be deemed a waiver by that party
as to subsequent enforcement of rights or subsequent actions
in the event of future breaches. |
| 4. |
This
Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties
and supersedes any prior or contemporaneous oral agreements
with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.
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