80_FR_27241 80 FR 27150 - Pro Bono Survey

80 FR 27150 - Pro Bono Survey

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
United States Patent and Trademark Office

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 91 (May 12, 2015)

Page Range27150-27151
FR Document2015-11419

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on the proposed information collection as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 91 (Tuesday, May 12, 2015) 
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 91 (Tuesday, May 12, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27150-27151]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-11419]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

United States Patent and Trademark Office


Pro Bono Survey

AGENCY: United States Patent and Trademark Office, Department of 
Commerce.

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

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SUMMARY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part 
of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, 
invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on the 
proposed information collection as required by the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 13, 2015.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
     Email: [email protected]. Include ``0651-Pro 
Bono Survey comment'' in the subject line of the message.
     Federal Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
     Mail: Marcie Lovett, Records Management Division Director, 
Office of the Chief Information Officer, United States Patent and 
Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information 
should be directed to Jennifer McDowell, Attorney, Office of General 
Law, United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, 
Alexandria, VA 22313-1450; by telephone at 571-272-7013; or by email to 
[email protected] with ``0651-Pro Bono Survey comment'' in 
the subject line. Additional information about this collection is also 
available at http://www.reginfo.gov under ``Information Collection 
Review.''

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA), Public Law 112-29 Sec.  
32 (2011) directs the USPTO to work with and support intellectual 
property law associations across the country in the establishment of 
pro bono programs designed to assist financially under-resourced 
independent inventors and small businesses. In February 2014, President 
Obama issued an Executive Action calling on the USPTO to expand the 
existing patent pro bono programs to all 50 states in the country. In 
support of this Executive Action, the USPTO--in collaboration with 
various non-profit organizations--has established a series of 
autonomous regional hubs that act as matchmakers to help connect low-
income inventors with volunteer patent attorneys across the United 
States. The regional hubs comprise law school IP clinics, bar 
associations, innovation/entrepreneurial organizations, and arts-
focused lawyer referral services that are strategically located to 
provide access to patent pro bono services across all fifty states. 
This information will help the USPTO determine which regional hubs are 
operating efficiently and which programs need additional support.
    This information collection will ascertain the effectiveness of 
each individual regional hub with respect to their matchmaking efforts. 
The USPTO has worked with the Pro Bono Advisory Council (PBAC) to 
determine what information is necessary to ascertain the effectiveness 
of each regional pro bono hub's matchmaking operations. PBAC is a well-
established group of patent practitioners and patent pro bono regional 
hub administrators who have committed to provide support and guidance 
to patent pro bono programs across the country. PBAC is responsible for 
the collection of this information, which is collected on a quarterly 
basis. The information, at its highest level, will allow PBAC and the 
USPTO to ascertain whether the regional hubs are matching qualified low 
income inventors with volunteer patent attorneys. It will also help 
establish the total economic benefit derived by low-income inventors in 
the form of donated legal services.

[[Page 27151]]

II. Method of Collection

    This survey will be conducted electronically through a web form 
created to support this survey.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0651--New.
    IC Instruments and Forms: The individual instrument in this 
collection, as well as its associated form, is listed in the table 
below.
    Type of Review: New.
    Affected Public: Not-for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: An estimated 20 respondents will 
provide quarterly responses, for a total of 80 responses per year.
    Estimated Time per Response: The USPTO estimates that it will take 
two hours to complete the PBAC Administrator Survey, including time 
needed to gather the necessary information, enter it into the 
information collection instrument, and submit it.
    Estimated Total Annual Respondent Burden Hours: 160 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Respondent (Hourly) Cost Burden: $8,000.00. 
The USPTO expects that regional program administrators will complete 
these applications. The professional hourly rate for a regional program 
administrator is $50.00. Using this hourly rate, the USPTO estimates 
that the total respondent cost burden for this collection is $8,000.00 
per year.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 Information     Estimated time
            IC No.                collection      for response    Estimated annual  Estimated annual   Rate  ($/
                                  instrument        (minutes)         responses       burden hours        hr)
                                                             (a)               (b)    (a) x (b)/60 =
                                                                                                 (c)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1............................  Regional                      120                80               160      $50.00
                                Program
                                Administrator
                                Survey.
                                                                 -----------------------------------------------
    Total....................  ...............  ................                80               160  ..........
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated Total Annual (Non-hour) Respondent Cost Burden: $0.00. 
There are no capital startup, maintenance, or operating fees associated 
with this collection, nor are there postage costs, filing fees, or 
processing fees.

IV. Request for Comments

    Comments are invited on:
    (a) Whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for 
the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including 
whether the information shall have practical utility;
    (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden (including 
hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information;
    (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and
    (d) ways to minimize the burden of the collection of information on 
respondents, e.g., the use of automated collection techniques or other 
forms of information technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized or 
included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: May 4, 2015.
Marcie Lovett,
Records Management Divison Director, USPTO, Office of the Chief 
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-11419 Filed 5-11-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-16-P

27150 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 91 / Tuesday, May 12, 2015 / Notices Estimated time for Estimated annual Estimated annual Rate IC No. Information collection instrument response responses burden hours ($/hr) (minutes) (a) (b) (a) × (b)/60 = (c) 1 ............... Humanitarian Program Application (Humani- 60 minutes (attorney) .......... 85 340 * 191 tarian Use); PTO/PFH/001. 180 minutes (paralegal) ...... 1 ............... Humanitarian Program Application (Humani- 60 minutes (attorney) .......... 15 60 * 191 tarian Research); PTO/PFH/002. 180 minutes (paralegal) ...... 2 ............... Petition to Extend the Redemption Period of 60 minutes ........................... 10 10 389 the Humanitarian Awards Certificate; PTO/ SB/431. Total .. ............................................................................ .............................................. 110 410 .................. * (Blended). Estimated Total Annual (Non-hour) ACTION: Proposed collection; comment designed to assist financially under- Respondent Cost Burden: $0. This request. resourced independent inventors and collection has no annual (non-hour) small businesses. In February 2014, postage, operation or maintenance, or SUMMARY: The United States Patent and President Obama issued an Executive fee costs. Trademark Office (USPTO), as part of its Action calling on the USPTO to expand continuing effort to reduce paperwork IV. Request for Comments and respondent burden, invites the the existing patent pro bono programs to general public and other Federal all 50 states in the country. In support Comments are invited on: of this Executive Action, the USPTO— (a) Whether the proposed collection of agencies to comment on the proposed information collection as required by in collaboration with various non-profit information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, organizations—has established a series agency, including whether the Public Law 104–13 (44 U.S.C. of autonomous regional hubs that act as information shall have practical utility; 3506(c)(2)(A)). matchmakers to help connect low- (b) the accuracy of the agency’s income inventors with volunteer patent DATES: Written comments must be estimate of the burden (including hours submitted on or before July 13, 2015. attorneys across the United States. The and cost) of the proposed collection of regional hubs comprise law school IP ADDRESSES: You may submit comments information, including the validity of clinics, bar associations, innovation/ by any of the following methods: the methodology and assumptions used; • Email: InformationCollection@ entrepreneurial organizations, and arts- (c) ways to enhance the quality, uspto.gov. Include ‘‘0651–Pro Bono focused lawyer referral services that are utility, and clarity of the information to Survey comment’’ in the subject line of strategically located to provide access to be collected; and the message. patent pro bono services across all fifty (d) ways to minimize the burden of • Federal Rulemaking Portal: http:// states. This information will help the the collection of information on www.regulations.gov. USPTO determine which regional hubs respondents, including through the use • Mail: Marcie Lovett, Records are operating efficiently and which of automated collection techniques or Management Division Director, Office of programs need additional support. other forms of information technology, the Chief Information Officer, United This information collection will e.g., permitting electronic submission of States Patent and Trademark Office, responses. ascertain the effectiveness of each P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313– individual regional hub with respect to Comments submitted in response to 1450. this notice will be summarized or their matchmaking efforts. The USPTO FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: has worked with the Pro Bono Advisory included in the request for OMB Requests for additional information approval of this information collection; Council (PBAC) to determine what should be directed to Jennifer information is necessary to ascertain the they will also become a matter of public McDowell, Attorney, Office of General record. effectiveness of each regional pro bono Law, United States Patent and hub’s matchmaking operations. PBAC is Dated: May 4, 2015. Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, a well-established group of patent Marcie Lovett, Alexandria, VA 22313–1450; by practitioners and patent pro bono Records Management Division Director, telephone at 571–272–7013; or by email regional hub administrators who have USPTO, Office of the Chief Information to Jennifer.Mcdowell@uspto.gov with Officer. ‘‘0651–Pro Bono Survey comment’’ in committed to provide support and [FR Doc. 2015–11433 Filed 5–11–15; 8:45 am] the subject line. Additional information guidance to patent pro bono programs BILLING CODE 3510–16–P about this collection is also available at across the country. PBAC is responsible http://www.reginfo.gov under for the collection of this information, ‘‘Information Collection Review.’’ which is collected on a quarterly basis. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The information, at its highest level, will allow PBAC and the USPTO to mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES United States Patent and Trademark I. Abstract ascertain whether the regional hubs are Office The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act matching qualified low income (AIA), Public Law 112–29 § 32 (2011) inventors with volunteer patent Pro Bono Survey directs the USPTO to work with and attorneys. It will also help establish the AGENCY:United States Patent and support intellectual property law total economic benefit derived by low- Trademark Office, Department of associations across the country in the income inventors in the form of donated Commerce. establishment of pro bono programs legal services. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 May 11, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\12MYN1.SGM 12MYN1

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 91 / Tuesday, May 12, 2015 / Notices 27151 II. Method of Collection Affected Public: Not-for-profit Estimated Total Annual Respondent institutions. Burden Hours: 160 hours. This survey will be conducted Estimated Number of Respondents: electronically through a web form Estimated Total Annual Respondent An estimated 20 respondents will created to support this survey. (Hourly) Cost Burden: $8,000.00. The provide quarterly responses, for a total of 80 responses per year. USPTO expects that regional program III. Data administrators will complete these Estimated Time per Response: The USPTO estimates that it will take two applications. The professional hourly OMB Number: 0651—New. hours to complete the PBAC rate for a regional program administrator IC Instruments and Forms: The Administrator Survey, including time is $50.00. Using this hourly rate, the individual instrument in this collection, needed to gather the necessary USPTO estimates that the total as well as its associated form, is listed information, enter it into the respondent cost burden for this in the table below. information collection instrument, and collection is $8,000.00 per year. Type of Review: New. submit it. Estimated time Estimated annual Estimated annual Rate IC No. Information collection instrument for response responses burden hours ($/hr) (minutes) (a) (b) (a) × (b)/60 = (c) 1 ......................... Regional Program Administrator Survey ................... 120 80 160 $50.00 Total ............ .................................................................................... ............................ 80 160 .................. Estimated Total Annual (Non-hour) DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE petitions to accept delayed maintenance Respondent Cost Burden: $0.00. There fee payments, and fee address changes. are no capital startup, maintenance, or Patent and Trademark Office The public uses the Maintenance Fee operating fees associated with this Transmittal Form (PTO/SB/45) to Submission for OMB Review; collection, nor are there postage costs, determine and pay the correct amount Comment Request; ‘‘Rules for Patent filing fees, or processing fees. due for a maintenance fee transaction. Maintenance Fees’’ IV. Request for Comments Customers may submit maintenance The United States Patent and fees and six-month grace period Comments are invited on: Trademark Office (USPTO) will submit surcharges paid before patent expiration to the Office of Management and Budget electronically over the Internet using the (a) Whether the proposed collection of (OMB) for clearance the following USPTO’s Office of Finance Online information is necessary for the proper proposal for collection of information Shopping Page (hereinafter, the performance of the functions of the under the provisions of the Paperwork ‘‘Electronic Maintenance Fee Form’’) agency, including whether the Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. chapter 35). provided through the USPTO Web site. information shall have practical utility; Agency: United States Patent and To pay a maintenance fee after patent (b) the accuracy of the agency’s Trademark Office, Commerce. expiration, customers must submit the estimate of the burden (including hours Title: Rules for Patent Maintenance maintenance fee payment and the and cost) of the proposed collection of Fees. appropriate delayed payment surcharge information; OMB Control Number: 0651–0016. together with a Petition to Accept Form Number(s): Unintentionally Delayed Payment (PTO/ (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to • PTO/SB/45 SB/66). A petition to accept delayed be collected; and • PTO/SB/47 payment of a maintenance fee under the • PTO/SB/66 unintentional standard may be filed (d) ways to minimize the burden of online. To designate or change a fee Type of Request: Regular. the collection of information on Number of Respondents: 525,309. address, the customer must submit a Fee respondents, e.g., the use of automated Average Hours per Response: The Address Indication Form (PTO/SB/47). collection techniques or other forms of estimated response time for an average information technology. This proposed collection of response to a single collection in this information results in information Comments submitted in response to information collection totals 0.039 collected, maintained, and used this notice will be summarized or hours, with response times ranging from consistent with all applicable OMB and included in the request for OMB 0.0056 hours (20 seconds) to 8 hours, USPTO Information Quality Guidelines. approval of this information collection; depending on the instrument(s) used. This includes the basic information they also will become a matter of public Burden Hours: 18,123.42. quality standards established in the record. Cost Burden: $3,801.42. Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Needs and Uses: This information chapter 35) (PRA), in OMB Circular A– Dated: May 4, 2015. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES collection is necessary so that patent 130, and in the OMB information Marcie Lovett, owners can maintain a utility patent in quality guidelines. (See Ref. A, the Records Management Divison Director, force and to ensure that the USPTO can USPTO Information Quality USPTO, Office of the Chief Information properly credit maintenance fee Guidelines.) Officer. payments. The USPTO offers forms to [FR Doc. 2015–11419 Filed 5–11–15; 8:45 am] assist the public with providing the Frequency: On occasion. BILLING CODE 3510–16–P information covered by this collection, Respondent’s Obligation: Required to including maintenance fee payments, Obtain or Retain Benefits. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:31 May 11, 2015 Jkt 235001 PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\12MYN1.SGM 12MYN1


Document Created: 2015-12-16 07:55:46
Document Modified: 2015-12-16 07:55:46
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionProposed collection; comment request.
DatesWritten comments must be submitted on or before July 13, 2015.
ContactRequests for additional information should be directed to Jennifer McDowell, Attorney, Office of General Law, United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450; by telephone at 571-272-7013; or by email to [email protected] with ``0651-Pro Bono Survey comment'' in the subject line. Additional information about this collection is also available at http://www.reginfo.gov under ``Information Collection Review.''
FR Citation80 FR 27150 
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