Industrial Property Advice (IPC): conditions of access and exercise

Verified 18 June 2025 - Directorate for Legal and Administrative Information (Prime Minister)

  • Regulated Legal Profession
  • Liberal activity
  • EPA Code : 69.10Z
  • Social contributions : to be paid to theUrssaf: titleContent
  • Social security scheme: Social security for the self-employed (SSI) or General social security scheme, depending on the mode of exercise
  • Social protection: CPAM: titleContent (disease), Carsat: titleContent (retirement)

Definition

The mission of the Industrial Property Adviser (IPC) is to advise, assist or represent its clients in matters of industrial property rights. Customers are both individuals and companies.

There are three main types of industrial property rights:

  • Rights to technical innovations : patents, plant variety certificates, etc.
  • Rights to shape designs and appearance of products : Designs.
  • Rights in distinctive signs : trade marks, trade names, signs, company names, designations of origin, etc.

The division of the profession into two broad categories is based on this distinction: the patent term, specialized in rights relating to technical innovations, and the trademark, design and design term, specialized in rights relating to shape creations and distinctive signs.

The CPI is both an industrial property lawyer and/or a scientific expert. Thus, it proposes legal consultations and draftsprivately signed documents (formerly “under private seal”). It also assists its clients in defending their rights, particularly with regard to the validity of industrial property rights.

The CPI enjoys a monopoly of representation before the National Institute of Industrial Property (Inpi) for patent and trademark filing procedures. This monopoly does not deprive the applicant of the right to act himself if he is domiciled in France (or in a Member State of the EU)European Union-EU or party to the agreement onEuropean Economic Area-EEA). He may also be represented by a lawyer.

Access

Access to the profession of Industrial Property Adviser (IPC) is regulated. The pursuit of the profession is subject to conditions of training, qualification, professional experience and morality.

To practice the profession of ICC, you must first be registered on the list of persons qualified in industrial property.

Once registered on this list, it must be applied for on the list of industrial property advisors to the Director of theInpi: titleContent.

Using the ICC title without meeting the necessary conditions is an offense punishable by one year in prison and €15,000 of fine.

A prerequisite for inclusion on the list of persons qualified in industrial property is that of good character.

Also, do not:

  • To have been convicted of acts contrary to honor, probity or morality.
  • To have been the subject of a disciplinary or administrative penalty for dismissal, cancelation, revocation, withdrawal of approval or authorization in respect of acts of the same nature.
  • To have been subject to personal bankruptcy or any other penalty in application of legislation on the judicial settlement, liquidation of property, personal bankruptcy and bankruptcy, or of legislation on the reorganization and bankruptcy of companies.

The listing of qualified persons in industrial property is a essential prerequisite.

The conditions for inclusion on this list vary according to the country in which the professional qualification is obtained: in France, in a Member State of the European Union (EU) or party to the agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA) or in a third State.

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Qualification obtained in France

There are two ways of listing persons qualified in industrial property for persons who have obtained their professional qualification in France:

  • Either pass the French Qualification Examination (EQF)
  • Or request validation of experience gained (VAE).
French Qualification Examination (EQF)

The success of the French qualification exam (EQF) is the main access channel the profession of Industrial Property Adviser (IPC).

This aptitude test is divided into 2 specializations:

  • EQF mention of patents of invention
  • EQF mention marks, designs and models.

Registration for the French qualification examination (EQF) is subject to diploma requirements and of professional experience

Qualification requirement

To register for the French qualification exam (EQF), it is essential to prove 2 following diplomas :

  • National degree of 2e cycle scientific or technical legal or equivalent diploma
  • Diploma certifying completion of training in industrial property Issued by the Center for International Studies on Industrial Property (CEIPI) of the University of Strasbourg or:
    • For the mention of patents for invention, the title of European professional representative entered on the list kept by the EPO before 1er April 1992.
    • For the mention of trademarks, designs and models, a national diploma of 3e a cycle or a national master's degree certifying completion of a course in the field of industrial property.
  • Diploma attesting to a legal, scientific or technical training corresponding to 60 ECTS credits after the license;
  • An engineer's certificate issued by a school listed in the list of public technical schools, private technical schools recognized by the Government and private technical schools entitled to issue a diploma of engineer, drawn up annually by the commission for engineering certificates in application of Article 11 of the abovementioned Law of 10 July 1934;
  • A master engineer's certificate awarded under the conditions laid down in Decree No. 92-84 of 23 January 1992
  • Doctor of Medicine Diploma
  • State Diploma of Doctor of Pharmacy
  • Doctor of Dental Surgery Diploma
  • Qualified veterinary doctor
  • Graduate diploma in medical or pharmaceutical studies
  • DPLG Architect Diploma
  • Diploma from an institute of political studies
  • Any diploma endorsed by the Minister responsible for higher education, attesting to training of at least three years after the baccalaureate and issued by a higher business and management education institution recognized by the State and authorized to issue such a diploma;
  • Any foreigners university or technical diploma or diploma required to attain a professional qualification in industrial property matters in the country in which it was issued.
Condition of professional experience

Registration for the EQF also requires a prior professional practice :

  • To become ICC Patents : 3 years of professional experience as a patent engineer under the responsibility of a person qualified in industrial property listed with the mention patents for invention
  • To become CPI Brands / Designs : 3 years of professional experience under the responsibility of a person registered on the list of persons qualified in industrial property with the mention of trade marks and designs
How to register for the EQF

The National Institute of Industrial Property (Inpi) is responsible for organizing the review. A review session for each specialization mention shall be organized at least every 2 years.

The opening date of each session shall be fixed by the Director General of the National Institute of Industrial Property. Candidates are notified of the examination dates in the Official Journal of the French Republic, the Official Bulletin of Industrial Property and on the Inpi website at least 4 months before the date of the first test.

The application must be sent to the Director General of the Inpi by LRAR at the latest 6 weeks before the date scheduled for the first test. It is possible to send electronically in parallel, but this will only be taken into account when the file is received by post.

The application for registration must contain the following elements: personal address to which the invitations and the results of the tests will be communicated, telephone number and e-mail address of the applicant. The chosen technical sector must also be indicated.

The following documents must be attached:

  • Application dated and signed by the applicant
  • Copy of ID
  • Copy of one of the diplomas listed above
  • Copy of the CEIPI diploma or equivalent recognized title
  • One or more certificates of professional practice
  • Justification for the payment of the cost contribution.

The registration fee for each examination is €200 .

The aptitude test shall include written eligibility tests :

  • For the mention of patents : drafting of an application for the protection of an invention on the basis of a technical note, drafting of a consultation on the validity and infringement of a patent or on the procedure for granting a patent by the Inpi.
  • For the trade marks and designs : drafting of a prior art search, an opposition (or a reply to an opposition), a consultation in trade marks and a consultation in designs.

After validation of the written tests (average of 10), the candidate must validate the oral tests :

  • For the mention of patents : a presentation followed by an interview on the acquisition and operation of a patent in France, in particular on the technical, legal and/or legal aspects of a problem of validity, ownership and/or infringement. The subject belongs to the technical sector chosen for registration. Questions concerning professional conduct may be raised.
  • For the trade marks and designs : an analysis and discussion of legal issues. First, as regards trade mark law, distinctive signs, including domain names, and unfair competition and parasitic acts. Secondly, in design law, including copyright. Questions concerning professional conduct may be raised.

All tests, written and oral, are marked from 0 to 20. Any score equal to or less than 7 is eliminatory.

The applicant may retain the benefit of his eligibility for the next examination session.

At the end of the session, the jury shall draw up the list of successful candidates for the aptitude test and the Director-General of the National Institute of Industrial Property shall proceed with their inclusion in the list of qualified persons in industrial property.

Validation of prior learning (VAE)

Validation of prior learning (VAE) requires proof of qualifications acquired in initial or continuing training and of long professional experience

Qualification requirement

In order to apply for inclusion on the list of persons qualified in industrial property by means of validation of prior learning (VAE), it is essential to hold the following diplomas:

  • National degree of 2e legal, scientific or technical cycle
  • Qualification from the Center for International Studies in Industrial Property (CEIPI) of the University of Strasbourg or an equivalent qualification.

Please note

These diplomas may have been obtained within the framework of initial training or a continuing vocational training.

The following diplomas are recognized as equivalents to a national diploma of 2e legal, scientific or technical cycle:

  • Diploma certifying completion of a legal, scientific or technical training corresponding to 60 ECTS credits after the license
  • Designation as an engineer issued by a school included in the list of public technical schools, private technical schools recognized by the government and private technical schools entitled to issue a diploma of engineer, established annually by the commission for qualifications as an engineer in application of article 11 of the law of 10 July 1934
  • Doctor of Medicine Diploma
  • State Diploma of Doctor of Pharmacy
  • Doctor of Dental Surgery Diploma
  • Qualified veterinary doctor
  • Graduate diploma in medical or pharmaceutical studies
  • DPLG Architect Diploma
  • Diploma from an institute of political studies
  • Diploma endorsed by the Minister responsible for higher education, certifying at least three years' training after the baccalaureate and issued by a higher business and management education institution recognized by the State and authorized to issue such a diploma
  • Foreigners university or technical diploma or diploma required for admission to the professional qualification in industrial property matters in the country in which that diploma or diploma has been issued.
Condition of professional experience

It is necessary to justify a professional practice of Minimum 8 years relating to industrial property acquired in a Member State of theEU (EU) or in a State party to the Agreement onEuropean Economic Area (EEA) or in Switzerland. This experience can be acquired in one of the following ways:

  • Within one or more companies, groups of companies, associations, foundations or public institutions
  • As an employee of a lawyer or of an ICC, of an association or business of lawyers or of an ICC business, of a lawyer's office at the Conseil d'Etat and the Court of Cassation
  • As category A officials or persons treated as such in an administration, public service or international organization.

Please note

The professional practice required may result from the exercise of multiple functions (employee in company, private practice, civil servant, etc.) provided that the total length of such activities is at least 8 years.

Except where it results from functions carried out within an international organization, the professional practice must have been acquired in an EU Member State or party to the EEA Agreement.

A jury is responsible for checking the reality and content of the professional practice of the candidates as well as their knowledge of the ethical rules of the ICC profession for the requested term: Patents or Trademarks, Designs.

Qualification obtained in an EU Member State

An Industrial Property Adviser (IPC) having the citizenship of a Member State of the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA) has the possibility of either moving to France for an exercise permanent (we're talking about free establishment), or to exercise it temporarily his profession (we speak of freedom to provide services or LPS).

It must meet several conditions:

Continuous exercise

Persons with a diploma or a diploma enabling them to pursue a profession in an EU or EEA State shall be exempted from the requirements of diplomas and professional experience. They can then directly be put on the list of qualified persons in industrial property.

In some cases, it is necessary to take an aptitude test in French.

Condition of diploma or professional experience

It is possible to register on the list of qualified persons in industrial property in the following situations:

  • Be the holder of a diploma, certificate or other evidence of formal qualifications allowing the pursuit of the profession in a EU Member State or party to the EEA Agreement where training is predominantly acquired in the EU or the EEA
  • Either justify thefull or part-time pursuit of the profession for one year within the previous 10 years, in an EU or EEA Member State that does not regulate access to or the exercise of this profession.

The foreigner national must, in support of his application for registration, provide the necessary evidence of the diplomas and professional practices mentioned. The admission decision must be notified within 4 months of receipt of the application, at the end of this period, the silence of the Inpi shall constitute acceptance of the application.

FYI  

To find out if ICC activity is regulated in an EU or EEA state, you can visit the European Commission website.

French Language Proficiency Test

You have to pass a proficiency examination in French in the following 2 cases:

  • Or when the training acquired covers substantially different subjects those on the French diplomas and professional examination program and that professional experience does not make up for these differences
  • Or where the professional activity is not regulated or regulated in a substantially different manner in the country of origin or consignment

A file must be sent by registered letter with notice of receipt to the Director General of Inpi to request registration for the aptitude test. The admission decision must be notified within 4 months of receipt of the application.

Where the candidate's training is considered to be substantially different from that required in France, in particular in view of the requirement of a precise knowledge of national law, the Director-General of the Inpi shall consult the jury. After obtaining the opinion of the latter, he shall notify the candidate of the subjects to be covered by the aptitude test, the nature of the written and/or oral tests to be taken and their program.

To apply for registration for the aptitude test, a signed and dated letter must be sent, together with his personal address and the technical sector chosen for the oral test.

The application dossier shall include the following supporting documents:

  • Copy of valid ID
  • Copy of diplomas, certificates or diplomas obtained
  • Document from the authority which issued the diplomas, certificates or evidence of formal qualifications attesting either that the training was carried out at a university, a higher education institution or another institution of the same level of training, with an indication of the duration of the training, or that it is recognized in the Member State as being of an equivalent level and confers in that State the same rights of access to or the exercise of the profession
  • Description of the content of studies and training courses carried out during the training, including the annual number of hours per subject for the theoretical courses, the duration of the courses and the sector in which they were carried out, delivered and certified by the training structure

For persons practicing in an EU or EEA State that regulates access to the profession:

  • Copy of the diploma, certificate or evidence of formal qualifications permitting the pursuit of the profession

For persons practicing in an EU or EEA State which does not regulate access to the profession and for persons holding a diploma, certificate or title issued by a third country and recognized by a Member State :

  • Certificate from the competent authority of the Member State certifying the duration of the professional activity with the relevant dates
  • Record of any continuing training courses followed, indicating the content and duration of such courses

Inpi is responsible for organizing the aptitude test.

The aptitude test shall include the following tests:

  • One oral test on the knowledge of civil law, civil procedure and French commercial law necessary for the practice of industrial property.
  • One written test different according to the chosen term:
    • Mention "Patents of invention" : drafting a consultation on the validity and infringement of a French patent or a European patent designating France or on the procedure for granting a patent by the Inpi.
    • Marking ‘Trade marks and designs’ : the drafting of an opinion on the validity or availability of a sign in French law on the basis of the results of a search for earlier rights, or of a statement of opposition or response to an opposition in trademark registration proceedings before the Inpi, or of a consultation on trademark infringement in France. An opinion must also be drawn up on a practical problem of design law in France, including copyright law

In particular, SOLVIT is involved in the recognition of professional qualifications.

The use of SOLVIT is possible if the following 2 conditions are met:

  • The public administration of one EU country has failed to respect its rights under EU law as a company or citizen of another EU country.
  • Legal action has not yet been initiated (the administrative appeal is not considered as such).

Submit a complaint to Solvit

After 10 weeks, SOLVIT presents a solution:

  • If this solution settles the dispute concerning the application of European law, the solution is accepted and the case is closed.
  • If there is no solution, the case is closed as unresolved and referred to the European Commission.
Temporary or occasional exercise (LPS)

The national of a Member State of the European Union (EU) or party to the agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA) established in one of those States may exercise occasionally in France under his home-country professional title. He may thus represent persons before the Inpi without being included on the list of qualified persons in industrial property or on the list of Industrial Property Counsel (IPC). This is referred to as a temporary or occasional exercise or freedom to provide services (LPS).

To do so, the EU or EEA national must be in one of the following situations:

  • If the ICC profession is regulated in the State in which it is established: a certificate issued by the competent authority of that State must be produced.
  • If the profession of ICC is not regulated in the State in which it is established. In this case, it must justify:
    • or a practice of industrial property consultancy in one or more Member States of the EU or Party to the EEA Agreement, of at least one year during the last 10 years, either full-time or part-time. The justification for this practice can be made by any means
    • or to attest to a regulated education and training in his State of establishment giving access to the profession.

Evidence of compliance with these criteria shall be submitted by all means to the Inpi.

FYI  

To find out whether the activity of industrial property consultancy is regulated in an EU or EEA State, you can consult the European Commission website.

In particular, SOLVIT is involved in the recognition of professional qualifications.

The use of SOLVIT is possible if the following 2 conditions are met:

  • The public administration of one EU country has failed to respect its rights under EU law as a company or citizen of another EU country.
  • Legal action has not yet been initiated (the administrative appeal is not considered as such).

Submit a complaint to Solvit

After 10 weeks, SOLVIT presents a solution:

  • If this solution settles the dispute concerning the application of European law, the solution is accepted and the case is closed.
  • If there is no solution, the case is closed as unresolved and referred to the European Commission.

To practice in France the profession of industrial property consultant (ICC), you must be registered on the list of industrial property advisors. Any person registered on the list of persons qualified in industrial property may apply to be included on the list of Industrial Property Advisors.

Registration is made with a specialization mention Patents of invention or Trade marks, designs and models.

In addition, all CPIs are obligatorily members of the Compagnie Nationale des Avis en Property Industrielle (CNCPI).

Please note

The trader established in a Member State of the European Union (EU) or party to the agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA) may exercise under his foreigners title of origin for a temporary or occasional exercise. In this case, he must not be registered on the list of qualified persons in industrial property or on the list of industrial property consultants.

To be placed on the ICC list, the following conditions must be met:

  • Practice or commit to practice the profession either individually or as a group, or as an employee of another ICC or an ICC business at the latest within 3 months of the registration request
  • Be a French national or a national of another EU or EEA State
  • Have a permanent address or business establishment in France
  • Proof of having taken out an insurance covering his professional civil liability (CPR) for negligence and misconduct in the performance of his duties
  • Proof of having taken out a guarantee specifically earmarked for the repayment of the funds, instruments or securities received.

The request is addressed to the Director General of INPI by LRAR including the complete, signed and dated file. It shall proceed to the listing of industrial property attorneys, after obtaining the opinion of the CNCPI. The latter must give its opinion within one month of the referral. The absence of an opinion shall be deemed to constitute agreement. By contrast, the refusal to register shall be justified by a decision notified to the person concerned. In the absence of an express decision within four months, the request shall be deemed to have been accepted.

The registration of natural persons is made in the name of the ICC followed by the name of the firm in which it operates. If they are practicing in a business, it shall also be entered in a special section of the list.

Exercise

The Industrial Property Adviser (IPC) may work either as an employee of a company or on a liberal basis. We present the obligations and the steps to be taken to the liberal practice of the profession industrial property consultancy.

The ICC may exercise its profession by:

  • Either as an employee of another ICC or of a business or association of industrial property consultants
  • Either on a liberal basis: either individually or in groups

Please note

When exercised as a business, each of the ICCs must be included in the list of Industrial Property Advisors (IPCs) drawn up by the Director General of Inpi, but also the business itself.

The ICC can be a business in one of the following legal forms:

  • Professional Civil business (PCS) : All partners in this business must be ICCs or persons with the necessary qualifications to be included on the list of industrial property attorneys and requesting its inclusion at the latest at the same time as the business. The latter is constituted under the suspensive condition of its inclusion on the list of industrial property attorneys.
  • Liberal Exercise business (SEL) : This business allows members of the regulated professions to carry out their activity in the form of capital businesses (SARL, SAS, SA, SCA). It does, however, particularities, imposed by the regulated nature of the profession.

Warning  

The ICC must hold more than half of the business' share capital and voting rights.

  • Multi-professional business of practice (SPE) : allows the following professions to be practiced jointly: lawyer, lawyer at the Conseil d'État and the Cour de Cassation, commissioner of justice, notary, court administrator, court representative, auditor, accountant and surveyor. Two requirements must be met: one of the partners must be an ICC, and one of the partners or employees must sit on the board of directors or supervisory board.

Please note

The ICCs can also join forces and form Civilian businesses of Means (SCM)), economic interest groups (EIGs) and European Economic Interest Groupings (EEIGs) among themselves or with persons from other neighboring liberal professions.

The CPI may also choose to set up a business of a other legal form, as a commercial business (SA, SAS, SARL).

In this case, the following 3 conditions must be met:

  • The director(s) shall have the status of Industrial Property Adviser (Chairman of the Board of Directors, Directors-General, members of the Executive Board, sole Director-General and Managing Directors and a majority of the members of the Board of Directors or the Supervisory Board).
  • Industrial property boards hold more than half of the share capital and voting rights.
  • The admission of any new member shall require the prior approval of the manager or managers.

Even where the CPI operates as a commercial business, its activity is not a commercial activity.

Registration must be done online on the company Formalities Window website:

Company Formalities Window

This declaration is used to inform all the bodies concerned by the launch of the activity (INSEE, social bodies, Urssaf, public finance center, etc.).

Insee shall assign a number Siret. This is a unique national identification number that identifies the establishment. It is composed of Siren (first 9 digits) which identifies the company and the Nic (last 5 digits) which is modified in particular when the address of the establishment is changed.

When registering the company, Insee also attributes its EPA code. For ICC activity, the EPA code is 69.10Z.

Every ICC must have an assurance that it will professional civil liability (CPR) ensuring negligence and possible misconduct in relation to his clients in the performance of his duties.

It must also subscribe to a guarantee specially earmarked for the repayment of funds, effects or values received. This guarantee only covers damage that has occurred in the course of the ICC's work.

The industrial property advisor shall comply with ethical rules established by the rules of procedure of the National Company of Industrial Property Advisors (CNCPI)

The ICC must, in particular, fulfill the following obligations:

  • Respect for absolute confidentiality of correspondence and professional secrecy
  • Respect for dignity, conscience, independence and probity in the performance of his duties
  • Observation, in all circumstances, of the rules of prudence and diligence required to safeguard the interests entrusted to it by its clients
  • Duty of courtesy and loyalty in relations between colleagues: the ICC must refrain from any act likely to harm a colleague.
  • Prohibition of any risk of conflict of interest. Thus, it cannot advise, assist or represent clients with opposing interests in the same case. Likewise, it cannot accept a new file if there is a risk that the confidentiality of the information entrusted to it by a former client will be violated.

The CNCPI ensures compliance with the rules of ethics. The disciplinary chamber of the company shall be presided over by a magistrate of the judiciary and shall exercise disciplinary authority.

When an ICC fails to meet its professional obligations, this chamber may issue one of the disciplinary sanctions following:

  • Warning
  • Blame
  • Temporary or permanent deletion.

Prohibition of any other profession

The profession of ICC is incompatible with the exercise of any other profession.

Only the following professions are allowed:

  • Teaching
  • Forensic expert
  • Arbitrator, mediator, conciliator

For example, the CPI can offer mediation in the event of difficulties in communicating between the company’s interlocutors or in the event of a conflict that slows down the progress of a project.

The CNCPI provides a factsheet on the various mutual agreement procedures:

Misaccounting of any commercial activity

The profession of industrial property consultant is incompatible with any commercial activity, whether exercised directly or through an intermediary.

Indeed, the ICC that manages a portfolio of trademarks or domain names has a mandate. He is not bound to his client by a commercial contract. Even where the CPI operates as a commercial business, its activity is not a commercial activity.

In addition, an ICC cannot have the following qualities:

  • Partner in a partnership (SNC)
  • General partner in a limited partnership (SCS) or corporation (SCA)
  • Manager of a limited liability company (SARL)
  • Chairman of the Management Board, member of the Executive Board, Managing Director or Managing Director of a public limited liability company (SA)
  • Chairman or CEO of a simplified share business (SAS)
  • Member of the supervisory board or director of a commercial business, where he has less than 7 years of professional practice and has not previously obtained a waiver
  • Manager of a civil business not engaged in the practice of the profession of ICC or the management of related professional interests or family interests or the regulated professions below (lawyer, lawyer at the Conseil d'Etat and the Cour de Cassation, commissioner of justice, notary, court administrator, judicial representative, auditor, public accountant and surveyor)

Training actions

Industrial Property Advisors (IPCs) must follow a continuing vocational training.

The purpose of this training is to ensure that the knowledge required for the practice of the profession is kept up to date and developed.

In order to fulfill its obligation of continuing training, the CPI must fulfill one of the following:

  • Participate in legal, economic or professional training
  • Participate in training provided by ICCs or by natural or legal persons established in an EU StateEU (EU) or theEuropean Economic Area (EEA) and entitled to represent persons before the central industrial property office of that State
  • Attend legal or economic seminars or conferences related to the professional activity of the ICC
  • Providing teaching related to the professional activity of the ICC in an academic or professional setting
  • Publish legal or economic work related to the professional activity of the ICC

Duration of training

The duration of continuing training shall be 20 hours in a calendar year or 40 hours in 2 consecutive years.

During the first two years of professional practice, this training shall include at least 10 hours on the management of a firm, ethics and professional status.

Reporting procedure

ICCs must declare, by 31 January of each year, to the CNCPI the measures taken to satisfy the obligation of continuing training in the last preceding calendar year or, where appropriate, in the last two preceding years.

Who shall I contact

This declaration must be accompanied by all the necessary supporting documents.

The CNCPI monitors the actual fulfillment of the obligation of continuing vocational training and verifies the conformity of the training courses followed and the actions carried out, in particular their link with the activity of the ICC.

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