Google promises to work with Vietnam to remove 'bad' content: report

The tech giant has been asked to open a representative office and coordinate with Vietnamese authorities.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has asked that Google open a representative office in Vietnam to better manage its increasingly popular services in Vietnam, including preventing bad content on YouTube, according to a report on the government's website.

Phuc said during a meeting with Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Google’s parent company Alphabet, in Hanoi on Friday that many of Google’s services are widely used by Vietnamese businesses and people.

He reportedly asked for more cooperation from Google to prevent and remove bad information on its video site YouTube.

According to the report, Schmidt has pledged to work with Vietnam government to filter its content, and said he will consider opening the Vietnam office.

Vietnam has the second largest number of YouTube users in the world, he was quoted as saying.

Major market

Nearly 49 million people in Vietnam, or more than half of the country’s population, are online.

A report from Think With Google, the research arm of the tech giant, last month said many Vietnamese spend their summer on searching on Google and watching YouTube.

Trailers on the site got more than 500 million views in summer 2016, up a staggering 136 percent from previous year.

Data from the company shows that last summer, YouTube views in Vietnam doubled compared to spring, with more than 60 percent from mobile.

Every day during that summer, 100 million mobile searches were made on Google – that’s even more than the population.

Toxic’ content

In March, Google Europe had to apologize for allowing ads to appear alongside offensive videos on YouTube, after big companies either pulled ads or threatened to do so.

A month later, Vietnam’s government called on all companies doing business in the country to stop advertising on YouTube, Facebook and other social media until they could find a way to end the publication of “toxic” anti-government information.

The information ministry in April confirmed that it had asked Google to block and remove 2,200 videos on YouTube that had “defamatory” content against Vietnamese leaders.

Facebook, the most popular social network in Vietnam, last month also pledged to cooperate with the Vietnamese government to block "bad" and "toxic" content.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai visited Vietnam in December 2015, joining a talk with Vietnamese businesspeople and startup community.

Source: E.vnexpress

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Decree No. 30/2013/ND-CP on aviation business and operations

On Apr 8th, 2013, the Government issued Decree No. 30/2013/ND-CP on business air transport and general aviation operations to replace Decree 76/2007/ND-CP dated May 9th, 2007.

The new Decree regulates on conditions and procedures for granting business permits for air transport, general business aviation license for commercial purpose, registration certificate of general aviation operation for commercial purpose, the use of brand, franchise businesses in air transport business and air transport operation enterprises for commercial purposes.

According to this Decree, the age of the used aircraft imported into Vietnam is regulated as following:

a) For passenger aircraft: Not exceeding 10 years from the date of manufacture to the point of entry into Vietnam under the purchase contract, lease purchase contract; does not exceed 20 years from the date of manufacture to the expiry of the leasing contract; 25 years from the date of manufacture to the expiry of the lease contract for helicopters;

b) For cargo aircraft, postal parcels and business aviation for commercial purposes: Not exceeding 15 years from the date of manufacture to the point of entry into Vietnam under the purchase contract, lease purchase contract; not exceeding 25 years from the date of manufacture to the expiry of the lease contract;

c) The type of aircraft other than those specified above: Not exceeding 20 years from the date of manufacture to the point of entry into Vietnam under the purchase contract, lease purchase contract; does not exceed 30 years from the date of manufacture to the expiry of the lease contract.

In addition, the decree also provides for capital requirements:

1. Minimum capital requirement to establish and operate airline air transportation business:

a) Operation upto 10 aircrafts: 700 billion VND (or USD 25m) for airlines to do international air transport; 300 billion VND for airline operators in domestic air transportation;

b) Operation from 11 to 30 aircrafts: 1,000 billion VND for airlines to do international air transport; 600 billion VND for airline operators in domestic air transport ;

c) Operation from 30 aircrafts or more: 1,300 billion VND for airlines to do international air transport; 700 billion VND for airline operators in domestic air transport.

2. Minimum capital requirement for the establishment of the airline business for commercial purposes: 100 billion VND Vietnam.

This Decree shall be effective from the date of 06/01/2013.

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Nokia sues Apple for patent infringement

Apple was using Nokia's technology in its products without paying for it. 

Nokia announced Wednesday it is suing Apple in German and U.S. courts for patent infringement, claiming the U.S. tech giant was using Nokia technology in "many" products without paying for it.

Finnish Nokia, once the world's top mobile phone maker, said the two companies had signed a licensing agreement in 2011, and since then "Apple has declined subsequent offers made by Nokia to license other of its patented inventions which are used by many of Apple's products."

"After several years of negotiations trying to reach agreement to cover Apple's use of these patents, we are now taking action to defend our rights," Ilkka Rahnasto, head of Nokia's patent business, said in a statement.

The complaints, filed in three German cities and a district court in Texas, concern 32 patents for innovations related to displays, user interface, software, antennae, chipsets and video coding. Nokia said it was preparing further legal action elsewhere.

Nokia was the world's leading mobile phone maker from 1998 until 2011 when it bet on Microsoft's Windows mobile platform, which proved to be a flop. Analysts say the company failed to grasp the growing importance of smartphone apps compared to hardware.

It sold its unprofitable handset unit in 2014 for some $7.2 billion to Microsoft, which dropped the Nokia name from its Lumia smartphone handsets.

Meanwhile Nokia has concentrated on developing its mobile network equipment business by acquiring its French-American rival Alcatel-Lucent.

Including its 2013 full acquisition of joint venture Nokia Siemens Networks, Nokia said the three companies united represent more than 115 billion euros of R&D investment, with a massive portfolio of tens of thousands of patents.

The 2011 licensing deal followed years of clashes with Apple, which has also sparred with main rival Samsung over patent claims.

At the time, Apple cut the deal to settle 46 separate complaints Nokia had lodged against it for violation of intellectual property.

Source: E.vnexpress.net 2016

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Nokia, Apple bury hatchet in patent dispute

It's an upgrade in the relationship between two companies.

Nokia and Apple said Tuesday they were burying the hatchet in a bitter patent dispute with a cooperation agreement and an undisclosed cash payment by the U.S. tech giant to the Finnish group.

By settling their ongoing intellectual propertydispute, the two companies would "move the relationship... from being adversaries in court to business partners," Nokia's chief legal officer Maria Varsellona said.

Following years of clashes, Nokia and Apple originally signed a licensing agreement in 2011.

But last December, the Finnish group, once the world's top mobile phone maker, complained that Apple was using Nokia technology in many products without paying for it. And it filed lawsuits in Germany and in the United States.

Concretely, the dispute concerned 32 patents for innovations related to displays, user interface, software, antennae, chipsets and video coding.

The deal reached on Tuesday would put the two companies' relationship back on an even keel, with Nokia providing "certain network infrastructure products and services to Apple," the statement said.

Apple would "resume carrying Nokia digital health products (formerly under the Withings brand) in Apple retail and online stores, and Apple and Nokia are exploring future collaboration in digital health initiatives," it continued.

"Regular summits between top Nokia and Apple executives will ensure that the relationship works effectively and to the benefit of both parties and their customers."

Apple's chief operating officer Jeff Williams said the U.S. giant was "pleased with this resolution of our dispute and we look forward to expanding our business relationship with Nokia."

The two sides did not disclose the financial details of the deal.

But Nokia would receive "additional revenues during the term of the agreement," the Finnish group said.

The up-front cash payment would allow Nokia to "provide a comprehensive update of its capital structure optimisation programme," a restructuring plan launched in late 2015, which may now be lighter thanks to the payment by Apple.

Nokia's shares were showing a gain of more than seven percent stake on the Helsinki Stock Exchange at around 10:00 GMT, while the overall market was up by just 0.8 percent.

Source: e.vnexpress.net

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Time Limit of Trademark Protection Extension

Procedure of extending mark certificate in Vietnam

As regulation of law on intellectual property, the mark, trademark or service mark, is one of protected subjects of industrial property right. However, to be protected by law, the owner of mark shall apply protection registration dossier to competent authority prior. When the owner registers and is granted a certificate of registered mark, the owner shall have the exclusive right to label the product, service or both, right to allow others to use the mark throughout mark license contracts, right to assign the mark ownership and right to prevent breaching action from any third party.

However, a certificate of registered mark shall be valid from the grant date until the end of ten (10) years after the filing date. When the validity terminates, in order to continue being the owner of mark, the owner of Certificate shall implement the procedure of extending the protection validity of the certificate. It is important that the owner has to be aware of the time to apply dossier for a certificate extension in accordance with the law.

As regulation of law, time limit of extending mark certificate is prior or after six (06) months from the expiration date of mark certificate. If the extension is applied prior 06 months since the expiration date, the owner shall pay extension fee. If the extension is applied after 06 months since the expiration date, the owner shall pay extension fee and fine for late payment as month.

Procedure of extending mark certificate:

·         Application form (as template);

·         Original Mark Certificate (if any);

·         Power of Attorney (POA);

·         Payment voucher.

With highly professional staff and great experience in IP aspect in Vietnam, ANT Lawyers would like to support you in extending your trademark or service mark or both in Vietnam.

Source: ANTLawyers.vn

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How to Terminate Representative Office in Vietnam?

Termination of operation of representative offices of foreign trader in Vietnam

Foreign Traders wishing to terminate the operation of representative office in Vietnam need to complete the procedure at Tax authorities, the Provincial Department of Industry and Trade and the procedure to return the seal at the police.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Vietnam laws, the termination of operation of representative offices of foreign traders in Vietnam at the Provincial Department of Industry and Trade shall be conducted as follows:

Preparation of dossiers for termination of operation of representative offices includes:

• Notice of termination of operation of the representative office, made according to the form set by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, signed by the competent representative of the foreign trader.
• List of creditors and unpaid debts, including tax debts and social insurance premiums;
• List of employees and their respective current interests;
• Original License for establishment of representative office.
• Documents evidencing that the representative office has fulfilled all tax and financial obligations to the State of Vietnam

The order and procedures for termination of operation of representative offices at competent agencies shall be as follows:

• The foreign trader submits a dossier for termination of operation of the representative office directly or via post or online (if applicable) to the Provincial Department of Industry and Trade (or the Management Board of Industrial parks, export processing zones, economic zones and hi-tech parks) where the representative office is licensed.
• Within three working days from the date of receipt of the file, the competent authority shall examine and request the supplement if the dossier is incomplete and invalid. Requests for supplementary records are made at most once during the process of processing applications;
• Within a time-limit of five (05) working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid file, the competent authority shall be responsible to publish on its website the termination of operation of the representative office.
• Foreign traders shall publicly post up the termination of their operation at the representative office.

Foreign traders whose representative offices have terminated of operation shall be responsible for performing contracts, paying debts, including tax debts and settling lawful interests for laborers who have worked at the representative office in accordance with the laws.

Source: ANTLawyers

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Granting Investment Registration Certificate in Vietnam

How to obtain an Investment Registration Certificate in Vietnam?

As Vietnam integrates further into the global supply chain, foreigners are more and more encouraged to invest in Vietnam in many areas for pursuing profit.  The foreign direct investment of the foreigners is required to be registered at Vietnam state authority to protect the rights of the investor.

According to the Law on Investment 2014, investment projects of foreign investors; projects of setting up a economic organization in which foreign investors holding 51% of charter capital or more or the majority of the general partners are foreigners in a partnership; projects of BCC contract between domestic investors and foreign investors or between domestic investors and economic organization which foreign investors holding 51% of charter capital or more or the majority of the general partners are foreigners shall need to conduct the procedure of applying investment registration certificate as regulations of law.

Preparation of dossier

·         A written request for permission for execution of the investment project;

·         A copy of the ID card or passport (if the investor is an individual); a copy of the Certificate of establishment or an equivalent paper that certifies the legal status of the investor (if the investor is an organization).

·         An investment proposal that specifies: investor(s) in the project, investment objectives, investment scale, investment capital, method of capital rising, location and duration of investment, labor demand, requests for investment incentives, assessment of socio-economic effects of the project;

·         Copies of any of the following documents: financial statements of the last two years of the investor; commitment of the parent company to provide financial support; commitment of a financial institutions to provide financial support; guarantee for investor’s financial capacity; description of investor’s financial capacity;

·         Demand for land use; if the project does not use land allocated, leased out by the State, or is not permitted by the State to change land purposes, then a copy of the lease agreement or other documents certifying that the investor has the right to use the premises to execute the project shall be submitted;

·         Explanation for application of technologies to the project which specifies: names of technologies, origins, technology process diagram, primary specifications, conditions of machinery, equipment and primary technological line;

·         The business cooperation contract (BCC) (if the project is executed under a BCC).

Order and Procedure

·         Investors submit the dossier at Department of Planning and Investment (or management of economic zones, high-tech zones);

·         Within 15 working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid dossier, the competent authority shall grant the investment registration certificate for investors.

In practice, the time duration would be lengthened due to the time for preparation of documents from investor, getting them notarized, legalized and authenticated before being accepted in Vietnam. The documents in foreign languages shall need to be translated into Vietnamese.  The actual time for processing paper at the State authority would also last longer in practice when the State authority evaluate the project plan of the investor to ensure that its investment purpose is achievable economically and in accordance to the regulations of Vietnam.  It is advised that the client engage professional law firm in Vietnam to assist with advisory and investment registration process.

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Opposition of Applications for Registration of the Mark Protection

How to Oppose Applications for Registration of the Mark Protection in Vietnam?

Vietnam Law on Intellectual Property allows any third party to have right to denounces the opposition of trademark applications for registration which have identical or confusingly similar signs.

As from the date an application for registration of mark is published in the Official Gazette of Industrial Property up until prior to the date of issuance of a decision on grant of a protection title, the third party shall express the opposition to the competent State administrative body including explanations, argument and evidence the opinion. Such opinions must be made in writing and be accompanied by documents or must quote the source of information.

Opposition to trademark applications plays a great role for the protection of trademark owner that prevents counterfeiting, duplication, infringement and trademark registration in contravention of law.

Documents:

01 Power of attorney (as form)

Documents and evidences to prove the opposition bases.

(ANT Lawyers could consult client specifically and particularly about the evidences and documents).

Opposition procedures

After receiving a disapproval application for registration of mark, National Office Intellectual Property (NOIP) has a dispatch to answer the disapproval application within 10 working days from date received a dossier. NOIP also sends disapproval opinions to owners of application for registration of mark protection.

Owners of application for registration of mark protectionhas opinions about this disagreement and give proofs that the application for registration of mark protection is suitable with requirement of Intellectual Property law

NOIP is pursuant to argument, proof and regulation law of parties for agree or refuse to grant a protection title

Opposition dossier includes:

Disapproval declaration (02 copies following form)

Explanation documents for disagreement of protection title issue

Attachment proofs.

Power of attorney (if an application is filed through representative of owner’s mark)

Fee, charge vouchers relating disagreement following regulations in law.

Duration

There is no duration stipulation in Vietnamese law. As our usual, NOIP will take from 6 months to 9 months to examine.

Source: ANTLawyers.vn

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How to Handle Rejection of International Trademark Registration In Vietnam By The NOIP?

Cancellation Against of Trademark in Vietnam

The procedure to register a trademark in Vietnam is carried out at the National Office of Intellectual Property of Vietnam (NOIP). The duration calculated from the full receipt of the dossier to the announcement is at least 12 months, or it can be expended from 16 months to 18 months.

However, in many cases, NOIP could send a notice on its intended refusal of the trademark application because of the following reasons:

·         There are grounds to affirm that the subject matter stated in the application does not fully satisfy the conditions for protection;

·         If there are more than one registration applied in the same time with full conditions to issue the protection title, but your application is not the first.

After receiving the refusal intention notice, applicants and all organizations and individuals have rights to reject the notice within 02 months, this duration can be extended one time, the extended time is 02 months.

If reasons in the notice are not correct and the applicant does not agree with the notice, within the given duration, the applicant could send written comment to NOIP, in which display the applicant’s comment, submit supplemental documents and proof to support.

After receiving the written comment, NOIP shall re-examine before issue the final decision.

The time limit for re-examination of applications is equal to two thirds of the time limit for examination; for complicated cases involving many circumstances which need to be verified or requiring expert opinions, that time limit may be prolonged but must not exceed the time limit for examination. Re – examination is only carried out one time.

However, in many cases, the applicant cannot display convincing arguments or reliable proofs, that makes NOIP does not agree and keep their own intention to refuse issuing the protection title. Therefore, when receiving intention notice to refuse issuing protection titles, applicants should find legal advice from consultants who have experience in intellectual property.

Source: ANTLawyers.vn

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Guidance of Representative Office Setting-up in Vietnam

Establishment of representative offices of foreign traders in Vietnam

The establishment of representative offices of foreign traders in Vietnam have to follow the procedures as guided by the Commercial Law in Vietnam and the related decrees providing instructions of the law.

Preparation of dossiers for establishment of representative offices includes:

·         An application form for License for Establishment of the representative office using the form promulgated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and signed by a competent representative of the foreign trader.

·         Copies of the Certificate of Business Registration or equivalent documents of the foreign trader (shall be certified or legalized by overseas diplomatic missions or Consulates of Vietnam under laws of Vietnam);

·         A letter of appointment of the head of the representative office (shall be translated into Vietnamese and certified true in accordance with laws of Vietnam);

·         Copies of audited financial statements or certificates of fulfillment of tax liabilities or financial obligations of the last fiscal year or equivalent documents as proof of existence and operation of the foreign trader issued or certified by competent authorities where such foreign trader is established (shall be translated into Vietnamese and certified true in accordance with laws of Vietnam);

·         Copies of the passport or ID card (for Vietnamese) or copies of the passport (for foreigners) of the head of the representative office (shall be translated into Vietnamese and certified true in accordance with laws of Vietnam.);

·         Documents on the expected location of the representative office including:

Copies of memorandum of understanding or leasing agreements or documents as proof of the right to use a location as the representative office;

Copies of documents on the expected location of the representative office.

Procedures for granting of Licenses for Establishment of representative offices:

·         Foreign traders submit applications directly or via post or online (if applicable) to the Department of Industry and Trade of the locality where the representative office is to be located.

·         Within 03 working days from the date of receipt of the dossier, the Department of Industry and Trade shall examine and request the supplement if the dossier is incomplete and invalid. Requests for additional records are made at most once during the processing of applications.

·         Except for the establishment of a representative office have to submit for directions of the relevant Ministry of Industry, within 07 working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid application the Department of Industry and Trade shall grant or refuse to grant a license for establish a representative office for foreign trader. In case of refusal, the reasons must be clearly stated in writing.

·         Where the establishment of a Representative Office is subject to the approval of the relevant Minister or the Head of the ministerial level agency and the establishment of a Representative Office not yet stipulated in the normative document. The Department of Industry and Trade shall send a written request for directions to the specialized management ministry within 03 working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid dossier. Within 05 working days from the date of receipt of the written request for the directions of the Department of Industry and Trade, the specialized management ministry shall issue a written statement stating its consent or refusal to grant a license for the establishment of the representative office. Within 5 working days after receiving the opinions of the specialized managing ministries, the provincial / municipal Industry and Trade Services shall grant or refuse to grant permits for the establishment of representative offices to foreign traders. In case of non-licensing, the reasons therefor must be clearly stated in writing.

In addition, for certain special cases managed by the specialized management ministry, the licensing of representative offices is carried out in accordance with the specific regulations.

Our lawyers in Vietnam constantly follow up with changes of law to provide the client with update for better decision making process.

Source: ANTLawyers.vn

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Renewal of License for the Establishment of Branches Office in Vietnam

How to extend branch license in Vietnam?

The extension of the license for the establishment of a foreign trader’s branch in Vietnam shall be following the regulation of the commercial law and the relevant guiding decrees and circulars under Vietnam laws.

Preparation of dossiers for extension of license for the establishment of branches includes:

• Application for extension of license for the establishment of branches, made according to the form set by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, signed by a competent representative of the foreign trader;
• A copy of the business registration certificate or equivalent paper of the foreign trader that is translated into Vietnamese and certified by a Vietnamese diplomatic mission or consulate abroad consular legalization in accordance with the law of Vietnam;
• Copies of audited financial statements or documents certifying the fulfillment of tax or financial obligations in the latest fiscal year or papers of equivalent value issued by competent agencies or organizations (where the foreign trader established) to prove the existence and operation of the foreign trader in the latest financial year, it must be translated into Vietnamese and authenticated in accordance with the provisions of Vietnamese law;
• A copy of the license for the establishment of the branch.

The order and procedures for extension of the license for the establishment of the branch at a competent agency shall be as follows:

• A dossier for extension of the license for the establishment of the branch must be submitted within 30 days at the latest before the license expires;
• Foreign traders submit applications directly or via post or online (if applicable) to the Ministry of Industry and Trade;
• Within 03 working days from the date of receipt of the dossier, the Ministry of Industry and Trade shall check and request the supplement if the dossier is incomplete and invalid. Requests for supplementary records are made at most once during the process of processing applications;
• Within 05 working days from the date of receipt of the complete and valid dossier, the Ministry of Industry and Trade shall renew the branch establishment permit. In case of non-renewal, the reasons therefor must be clearly stated in writing;
• In case the extension of the license for the establishment of the branch is not governed in specialized legal documents, the Ministry of Industry and Trade shall send a written request for comment to the specialized management ministry within 03 working days from the date of receipt of a complete and valid file. Within 5 working days from the date of receiving the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s written request, the specialized managing ministries shall clearly state whether they agree or disagree with the license extension. Within 5 working days after receiving the opinions of the specialized management ministry, the Ministry of Industry and Trade shall extend or not extend the branch establishment permit to the foreign trader. In case of non-renewal, the reasons therefor must be clearly stated in writing;
• Within 15 days from the date of extension of the license for the establishment of the branch, the Ministry of Industry and Trade shall publish on the website of the Ministry.

Our lawyers in Vietnam constantly follow up with changes of law to provide the client with update for better decision making process.

 Source: ANTLawyers.vn

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Brazil started to apply anti-dumping tax on goods from Vietnam

On April 24^th, 2017, the Brazilian investigation authority decided to initiate an investigation to verify the existence of dumping, injury and a causal link between them in the imports of seamless stainless steel tubes imported from Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam

Investigated products are seamless stainless steel tubes with diameter equal or higher than 6mm and not higher than 2.032 mm and thickness equal or higher than 0.40 mm and not higher than 12.70 mm, classified as HS code: 7306.40.00 and 7306.90.20 on the Common Nomenclature of MERCOSUR – NCM, from Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Plaintiffs are Aperam Inox Tubos Brasil Ltda. and Marcegaglia do Brasil Ltda.

The alleged dumping margin with Vietnam is 18.0%, Malaysia is 26.4% and Thailand is 19.1%

The Period of Investigation is from October 2015 to September 2016 and the injury period is from October 2011 to September 2016.

The time duration for concerned parties to answer and submit the questionnaire is 30 days since the date of receiving (this duration shall be extended but not exceeding 30 days).  Concerned parties shall have 20 days to register to join the investigation i.e. May 15^th, 2017.

All concerned parties shall have 70 days to submit comments about using alternative country for normal value calculation, by Jul 3^rd, 2017.

If concerned parties have legal representative, the representative shall be allowed within 91 days since the initiation of the investigation, by Jul 24^th, 2017.

To ensure the rights and benefits, the concerned parties are suggested to join and submit the questionnaire fully and find the support from experienced anti-dumping law firm and lawyers in Vietnam and Brazil.

Our lawyers in Vietnam constantly follow up with changes of law to provide the client with update for better decision making process.

Source: ANTLawyers.vn

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