The value of the critical temperature of the cuprates correlates with
the doping level and is affected by the interplay of two competing fac
tors: 1) the increase in carrier concentration, and 2) the pair-breaki
ng effect of magnetic impurities. A new parameter, ''intrinsic'' T-c i
s introduced. The value of T-c;intr appears to be similar for differen
t cuprates and to be equal to 160-170K. This is an upper limit of T-c
in the cuprates.