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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">UNITED STATES</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">WASHINGTON, DC&nbsp; 20549</font></b></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">FORM&nbsp;8-K</font></b></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">TO SECTION&nbsp;13 OR 15(d)&nbsp;OF THE</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="3" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:12.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934</font></b></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):<b> May&nbsp;8, 2013</b></font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="5" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:18.0pt;font-weight:bold;">COMMONWEALTH REIT</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)</font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Maryland</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)</font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">1-9317</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">04-6558834</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(Commission File Number)</font></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">(IRS Employer Identification No.)</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Two Newton Place, 255 Washington Street,</font></b></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Suite&nbsp;300, Newton, Massachusetts</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">02458-1634</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">(617) 332-3990</font></b></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Check the appropriate box below if the Form&nbsp;8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2 below):</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Written communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;14d-2(b)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2b)</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Wingdings" style="font-size:10.0pt;">o</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule&nbsp;13e-4(c)&nbsp;under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4c)</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 8.01 Other Events.</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><i><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-style:italic;">Corvex/Related Maryland Shareholder Litigation</font></i></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">In connection with the previously disclosed complaint filed by Corvex Management LP and Related Fund Management, LLC, or together, Corvex/Related, in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, State of Maryland, titled <i>Corvex Management LP, et al., v. CommonWealth REIT, et al.</i>, Case No.&nbsp;24-C-13-001111, or the Corvex/Related Maryland Action, on March&nbsp;13, 2013 and April&nbsp;8, 2013, Corvex/Related filed a Petition to Stay Arbitration and a Motion for Partial Summary Judgment on Counts I and II of the amended complaint.&#160; On May&nbsp;8, 2013, following a hearing on the petition and motion, the Court issued an order denying the Petition to Stay Arbitration, directing the parties to proceed to arbitration and denying Corvex/Related&#146;s Motion for Partial Summary Judgment.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">A copy of the press release issued by CommonWealth REIT, or the Company, in connection with the Court&#146;s decision and copies of the Court&#146;s order and memorandum opinion issued in connection therewith are attached hereto as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">WARNING CONCERNING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS</font></b></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">THIS CURRENT REPORT ON FORM&nbsp;8-K CONTAINS STATEMENTS WHICH CONSTITUTE FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM&nbsp;ACT OF 1995 AND OTHER SECURITIES LAWS.&#160; THESE FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE BASED UPON THE COMPANY&#146;S PRESENT INTENT, BELIEFS OR EXPECTATIONS, BUT FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE NOT GUARANTEED TO OCCUR AND MAY&nbsp;NOT OCCUR FOR VARIOUS REASONS,&nbsp;INCLUDING SOME REASONS WHICH ARE BEYOND THE COMPANY&#146;S CONTROL. FOR EXAMPLE:</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">THIS CURRENT REPORT ON FORM&nbsp;8-K SAYS THE CURRENT CORVEX/RELATED MARYLAND LITIGATION HAS BEEN REFERRED TO ARBITRATION. CORVEX/RELATED MAY&nbsp;APPEAL THIS DECISION AND IT MAY&nbsp;BE SUBSEQUENTLY OVERTURNED.</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;"><font size="2" face="Symbol" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&#183;</font><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">THE FACT THAT THE COURT UPHELD THE COMPANY&#146;S ARBITRATION BYLAW MAY&nbsp;IMPLY THAT THE COMPANY WILL PREVAIL ON ALL ISSUES IN THE ARBITRATION. ARBITRATION RESULTS ARE UNCERTAIN AND THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE COMPANY WILL PREVAIL.</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt 1.0in;text-indent:-.5in;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">FOR THESE REASONS, AMONG OTHERS,&nbsp;INVESTORS ARE CAUTIONED NOT TO PLACE UNDUE RELIANCE UPON FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS. EXCEPT AS MAY&nbsp;BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE COMPANY DOES NOT INTEND TO UPDATE THE FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS IN THIS CURENT REPORT ON FORM&nbsp;8-K AS A RESULT OF NEW INFORMATION WHICH MAY&nbsp;COME TO ITS ATTENTION.</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Item 9.01</font></b><b><font size="1" style="font-size:3.0pt;font-weight:bold;">&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160;&#160; </font></b><b><font size="2" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Financial Statements and Exhibits.</font></b></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">(d)&nbsp;Exhibits</font></b></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit&nbsp;No.</font></b></p>    </td>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="1" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:8.0pt;font-weight:bold;">Exhibit</font></b></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">99.1</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Press   Release dated May&nbsp;8, 2013</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p align="right" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:right;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">99.2</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:1.0pt;">&nbsp;</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Order   Denying Motions of Corvex/Related and Memorandum Opinion</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">2<a name="PB_2_102016_7056"></a></font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><b><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;font-weight:bold;">SIGNATURES</font></b></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-indent:27.5pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.</font></p>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">/s/   John C. Popeo</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Name:</font></p>    </td>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">John   C. Popeo</font></p>    </td>   </tr>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Treasurer   and Chief Financial Officer</font></p>    </td>   </tr>  </table>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">Date:&nbsp; May&nbsp;9, 2013</font></p>
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<p align="center" style="margin:0in 0in .0001pt;text-align:center;"><font size="2" face="Times New Roman" style="font-size:10.0pt;">3<a name="PB_3_102119_5335"></a></font></p>
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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "CommonWealth REIT", "cik": "0000803649", "assigned-sic": "6798", "irs-number": "046558834", "state-of-incorporation": "MD", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-09317", "film-number": "13826648"}, "business-address": {"street1": "TWO NEWTON PLACE", "street2": "255 WASHINGTON STREET", "city": "NEWTON", "state": "MA", "zip": "02458", "phone": "6177968350"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "TWO NEWTON PLACE", "street2": "255 WASHINGTON STREET", "city": "NEWTON", "state": "MA", "zip": "02458"}, "former-company": [{"former-conformed-name": "HRPT PROPERTIES TRUST", "date-changed": "19980701"}, {"former-conformed-name": "HEALTH & RETIREMENT PROPERTIES TRUST", "date-changed": "19940811"}, {"former-conformed-name": "HEALTH & REHABILITATION PROPERTIES TRUST", "date-changed": "19920703"}]}
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC  20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of report (Date of earliest event reported):
May 8, 2013
COMMONWEALTH REIT
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Maryland
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
1-9317
04-6558834
(Commission File Number)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
Two Newton Place, 255 Washington Street,
Suite 300, Newton, Massachusetts
02458-1634
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
(617) 332-3990
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2 below):
o
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2b)
o
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4c)
Item 8.01 Other Events.
Corvex/Related Maryland Shareholder Litigation
In connection with the previously disclosed complaint filed by Corvex Management LP and Related Fund Management, LLC, or together, Corvex/Related, in the Circuit Court for Baltimore City, State of Maryland, titled
Corvex Management LP, et al., v. CommonWealth REIT, et al.
, Case No. 24-C-13-001111, or the Corvex/Related Maryland Action, on March 13, 2013 and April 8, 2013, Corvex/Related filed a Petition to Stay Arbitration and a Motion for Partial Summary Judgment on Counts I and II of the amended complaint.  On May 8, 2013, following a hearing on the petition and motion, the Court issued an order denying the Petition to Stay Arbitration, directing the parties to proceed to arbitration and denying Corvex/Related's Motion for Partial Summary Judgment.
A copy of the press release issued by CommonWealth REIT, or the Company, in connection with the Court's decision and copies of the Court's order and memorandum opinion issued in connection therewith are attached hereto as Exhibits 99.1 and 99.2, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.
WARNING CONCERNING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
THIS CURRENT REPORT ON FORM 8-K CONTAINS STATEMENTS WHICH CONSTITUTE FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995 AND OTHER SECURITIES LAWS.  THESE FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE BASED UPON THE COMPANY'S PRESENT INTENT, BELIEFS OR EXPECTATIONS, BUT FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE NOT GUARANTEED TO OCCUR AND MAY NOT OCCUR FOR VARIOUS REASONS, INCLUDING SOME REASONS WHICH ARE BEYOND THE COMPANY'S CONTROL. FOR EXAMPLE:
·
THIS CURRENT REPORT ON FORM 8-K SAYS THE CURRENT CORVEX/RELATED MARYLAND LITIGATION HAS BEEN REFERRED TO ARBITRATION. CORVEX/RELATED MAY APPEAL THIS DECISION AND IT MAY BE SUBSEQUENTLY OVERTURNED.
·
THE FACT THAT THE COURT UPHELD THE COMPANY'S ARBITRATION BYLAW MAY IMPLY THAT THE COMPANY WILL PREVAIL ON ALL ISSUES IN THE ARBITRATION. ARBITRATION RESULTS ARE UNCERTAIN AND THERE CAN BE NO ASSURANCE THAT THE COMPANY WILL PREVAIL.
FOR THESE REASONS, AMONG OTHERS, INVESTORS ARE CAUTIONED NOT TO PLACE UNDUE RELIANCE UPON FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS. EXCEPT AS MAY BE REQUIRED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE COMPANY DOES NOT INTEND TO UPDATE THE FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS IN THIS CURENT REPORT ON FORM 8-K AS A RESULT OF NEW INFORMATION WHICH MAY COME TO ITS ATTENTION.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit No.
Exhibit
99.1
Press   Release dated May 8, 2013
99.2
Order   Denying Motions of Corvex/Related and Memorandum Opinion
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
By:
/s/   John C. Popeo
Name:
John   C. Popeo
Title:
Treasurer   and Chief Financial Officer
Date:  May 9, 2013
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