81 FR 37580 - Patent and Trademark Public Advisory Committees
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
United States Patent and Trademark Office Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 112 (June 10, 2016)
United States Patent and Trademark Office
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 112 (June 10, 2016)
| Page Range | 37580-37581 | |
| FR Document | 2016-13765 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 112 (Friday, June 10, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 37580-37581] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-13765] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE United States Patent and Trademark Office [Docket No. PTO-P-2016-0020] Patent and Trademark Public Advisory Committees AGENCY: United States Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce. ACTION: Notice and request for nominations for the Patent and Trademark Public Advisory Committees. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: On November 29, 1999, the President signed into law the Patent and Trademark Office Efficiency Act (the ``Act''), Public Law 106-113, which, among other things, established two Public Advisory Committees to review the policies, goals, performance, budget and user fees of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) with respect to patents, in the case of the Patent Public Advisory Committee, and with respect to trademarks, in the case of the Trademark Public Advisory Committee, and to advise the Director on these matters (now codified at 35 U.S.C. 5). The America Invents Act Technical Corrections Act made several amendments to the 1999 Act, including the requirement that the terms of the USPTO Public Advisory Committee members be realigned by 2014, so that December 1 be used as the start and end date, with terms staggered so that each year three existing terms expire and three new terms begin on December 1. Through this Notice, the USPTO is requesting nominations for up to three (3) members of the Patent Public Advisory Committee, and for up to three (3) members of the Trademark Public Advisory Committee, for terms of three years that begin on December 1, 2016. DATES: Nominations must be postmarked or electronically transmitted on or before July 25, 2016. ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to submit nominations should send the nominee's resum[eacute] by postal mail to Vikrum D. Aiyer, Chief of Staff, Office of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, Post Office Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450 or by electronic mail to: [email protected] for the Patent Public Advisory Committee, or [email protected] for the Trademark Public Advisory Committee. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Vikrum D. Aiyer, Chief of Staff, Office of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, at (571) 272-8600. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Advisory Committees' duties include:Review and advise the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO on matters relating to policies, goals, performance, budget, and user fees of the USPTO relating to patents and trademarks, respectively; and Within 60 days after the end of each fiscal year: (1) Prepare an annual report on matters listed above; (2) transmit the report to the Secretary of Commerce, the President, and the Committees on the Judiciary of the Senate and the House of Representatives; and (3) publish the report in the Official Gazette of the USPTO. Advisory Committees The Public Advisory Committees are each composed of nine (9) voting members who are appointed by the Secretary of Commerce (the ``Secretary'') and serve at the pleasure of the Secretary for three- year terms. Members are eligible for reappointment for a second consecutive three-year term. The Public Advisory Committee members must be citizens of the United States and are chosen to represent the interests of diverse users of the United States Patent and Trademark Office with respect to patents, in the case of the Patent Public Advisory Committee, and with respect to trademarks, in the case of the Trademark Public Advisory Committee. Members must represent small and large entity applicants located in the United States in proportion to the number of applications filed by such applicants. The Committees must include individuals with ``substantial background and achievement in finance, management, labor relations, science, technology, and office automation.'' 35 U.S.C. 5(b)(3). Each of the Public Advisory Committees also includes three (3) non-voting members representing each labor organization recognized by the USPTO. Administration policy discourages the appointment of federally registered lobbyists to agency advisory boards and commissions (Lobbyists on Agency Boards and Commissions, http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/09/23/lobbyist-agency-boards-and-commissions (Sept. 23, 2009)); cf. Exec. Order No. 13490, 74 FR 4673 (January 21, 2009) (While Executive Order 13490 does not specifically apply to federally registered lobbyists appointed by agency or department heads, it sets forth the Administration's general policy of decreasing the influence of special interests in the Federal Government). Procedures and Guidelines of the Patent and Trademark Public Advisory Committees Each newly appointed member of the Patent and Trademark Public Advisory Committees will serve for a three-year term that begins on December 1, 2015, and ends on December 1, 2018. As required by the 1999 Act, members of the Patent and Trademark Public Advisory Committees will receive compensation for each day (including travel time) while the member is attending meetings or engaged in the business of that Advisory Committee. The enabling statute states that members are to be compensated at the daily equivalent of the annual rate of basic pay in effect for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of Title 5, United States Code. Committee members are compensated on an hourly basis, calculated at the daily rate. While away from home or regular place of business, each member shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, as authorized by Section 5703 of Title 5, United States Code. Applicability of Certain Ethics Laws Public Advisory Committee Members are Special Government Employees within the meaning of Section 202 of Title 18, United States Code. The following additional information includes several, but not all, of the ethics rules that apply to members, and assumes that members are not engaged in Public Advisory Committee business more than 60 days during any period of 365 consecutive days. Each member will be required to file a confidential financial disclosure form within thirty (30) days of appointment. 5 CFR 2634.202(c), 2634.204, 2634.903, and 2634.904(b). Each member will be subject to many of the public integrity laws, including criminal bars against representing a party in a particular matter that came before the member's committee and that involved at least one specific party. 18 U.S.C. 205(c); see also 18 U.S.C. 207 for post-membership bars. A member also must not act on a matter in which the member (or any of certain closely related entities) has a financial interest. 18 U.S.C. 208. [[Page 37581]] Representation of foreign interests may also raise issues. 35 U.S.C. 5(a)(1) and 18 U.S.C. 219. Meetings of the Patent and Trademark Public Advisory Committees Meetings of each Advisory Committee will take place at the call of the respective Committee Chair to consider an agenda set by that Chair. Meetings may be conducted in person, telephonically, on-line through the Internet, or by other appropriate means. The meetings of each Advisory Committee will be open to the public except each Advisory Committee may, by majority vote, meet in executive session when considering personnel, privileged, or other confidential information. Nominees must have the ability to participate in Committee business through the Internet. Dated: June 3, 2016. Michelle K. Lee, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. [FR Doc. 2016-13765 Filed 6-9-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-16-P
![37580 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 112 / Friday, June 10, 2016 / Notices
Dated: June 6, 2016. for the Patent Public Advisory Order No. 13490, 74 FR 4673 (January
Robert Bahr, Committee, or TPACnominations@ 21, 2009) (While Executive Order 13490
Deputy Commissioner for Patent Examination uspto.gov for the Trademark Public does not specifically apply to federally
Policy, United States Patent and Trademark Advisory Committee. registered lobbyists appointed by agency
Office. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: or department heads, it sets forth the
[FR Doc. 2016–13764 Filed 6–9–16; 8:45 am] Vikrum D. Aiyer, Chief of Staff, Office Administration’s general policy of
BILLING CODE 3510–16–P of the Under Secretary of Commerce for decreasing the influence of special
Intellectual Property and Director of the interests in the Federal Government).
USPTO, at (571) 272–8600. Procedures and Guidelines of the
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Patent and Trademark Public Advisory
United States Patent and Trademark Advisory Committees’ duties include: Committees
Office • Review and advise the Under
Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Each newly appointed member of the
[Docket No. PTO–P–2016–0020] Property and Director of the USPTO on Patent and Trademark Public Advisory
matters relating to policies, goals, Committees will serve for a three-year
Patent and Trademark Public Advisory term that begins on December 1, 2015,
performance, budget, and user fees of
Committees and ends on December 1, 2018. As
the USPTO relating to patents and
AGENCY: United States Patent and trademarks, respectively; and required by the 1999 Act, members of
Trademark Office, Commerce. • Within 60 days after the end of each the Patent and Trademark Public
ACTION: Notice and request for fiscal year: (1) Prepare an annual report Advisory Committees will receive
nominations for the Patent and on matters listed above; (2) transmit the compensation for each day (including
Trademark Public Advisory report to the Secretary of Commerce, the travel time) while the member is
Committees. President, and the Committees on the attending meetings or engaged in the
Judiciary of the Senate and the House of business of that Advisory Committee.
SUMMARY: On November 29, 1999, the Representatives; and (3) publish the The enabling statute states that members
President signed into law the Patent and report in the Official Gazette of the are to be compensated at the daily
Trademark Office Efficiency Act (the USPTO. equivalent of the annual rate of basic
‘‘Act’’), Public Law 106–113, which, pay in effect for level III of the Executive
among other things, established two Advisory Committees Schedule under section 5314 of Title 5,
Public Advisory Committees to review The Public Advisory Committees are United States Code. Committee
the policies, goals, performance, budget each composed of nine (9) voting members are compensated on an hourly
and user fees of the United States Patent members who are appointed by the basis, calculated at the daily rate. While
and Trademark Office (USPTO) with Secretary of Commerce (the ‘‘Secretary’’) away from home or regular place of
respect to patents, in the case of the and serve at the pleasure of the business, each member shall be allowed
Patent Public Advisory Committee, and Secretary for three-year terms. Members travel expenses, including per diem in
with respect to trademarks, in the case are eligible for reappointment for a lieu of subsistence, as authorized by
of the Trademark Public Advisory second consecutive three-year term. The Section 5703 of Title 5, United States
Committee, and to advise the Director Public Advisory Committee members Code.
on these matters (now codified at 35 must be citizens of the United States Applicability of Certain Ethics Laws
U.S.C. 5). The America Invents Act and are chosen to represent the interests
Technical Corrections Act made several of diverse users of the United States Public Advisory Committee Members
amendments to the 1999 Act, including Patent and Trademark Office with are Special Government Employees
the requirement that the terms of the respect to patents, in the case of the within the meaning of Section 202 of
USPTO Public Advisory Committee Patent Public Advisory Committee, and Title 18, United States Code. The
members be realigned by 2014, so that with respect to trademarks, in the case following additional information
December 1 be used as the start and end of the Trademark Public Advisory includes several, but not all, of the
date, with terms staggered so that each Committee. Members must represent ethics rules that apply to members, and
year three existing terms expire and small and large entity applicants located assumes that members are not engaged
three new terms begin on December 1. in the United States in proportion to the in Public Advisory Committee business
Through this Notice, the USPTO is number of applications filed by such more than 60 days during any period of
requesting nominations for up to three applicants. The Committees must 365 consecutive days.
(3) members of the Patent Public include individuals with ‘‘substantial • Each member will be required to
Advisory Committee, and for up to three background and achievement in finance, file a confidential financial disclosure
(3) members of the Trademark Public management, labor relations, science, form within thirty (30) days of
Advisory Committee, for terms of three technology, and office automation.’’ 35 appointment. 5 CFR 2634.202(c),
years that begin on December 1, 2016. U.S.C. 5(b)(3). Each of the Public 2634.204, 2634.903, and 2634.904(b).
DATES: Nominations must be Advisory Committees also includes • Each member will be subject to
postmarked or electronically three (3) non-voting members many of the public integrity laws,
transmitted on or before July 25, 2016. representing each labor organization including criminal bars against
ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to submit recognized by the USPTO. representing a party in a particular
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
nominations should send the nominee’s Administration policy discourages the matter that came before the member’s
resumé by postal mail to Vikrum D. appointment of federally registered committee and that involved at least one
Aiyer, Chief of Staff, Office of the Under lobbyists to agency advisory boards and specific party. 18 U.S.C. 205(c); see also
Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual commissions (Lobbyists on Agency 18 U.S.C. 207 for post-membership bars.
Property and Director of the USPTO, Boards and Commissions, http:// A member also must not act on a matter
Post Office Box 1450, Alexandria, www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2009/09/23/ in which the member (or any of certain
Virginia 22313–1450 or by electronic lobbyist-agency-boards-and- closely related entities) has a financial
mail to: PPACnominations@uspto.gov commissions (Sept. 23, 2009)); cf. Exec. interest. 18 U.S.C. 208.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:02 Jun 09, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00015 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\10JNN1.SGM 10JNN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_37692/page/1.svg)
![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 112 / Friday, June 10, 2016 / Notices 37581
• Representation of foreign interests After consideration of the relevant 7520–01–446–4505—Pen, Retractable,
may also raise issues. 35 U.S.C. 5(a)(1) matter presented, the Committee has Cushion Grip, Exec. ‘‘Aristocrat’’
and 18 U.S.C. 219. determined that the products and Mandatory Source(s) of Supply: Industries of
services listed below are no longer the Blind, Inc., Greensboro, NC
Meetings of the Patent and Trademark Contracting Activity: General Services
suitable for procurement by the Federal
Public Advisory Committees Administration, New York, NY
Government under 41 U.S.C. 8501–8506
Meetings of each Advisory Committee and 41 CFR 51–2.4. NSN(s)—Product Name(s): 7530–01–555–
will take place at the call of the 2906—Paper, Tabulating Machine
respective Committee Chair to consider Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification Mandatory Source(s) of Supply: Tarrant
County Association for the Blind, Fort
an agenda set by that Chair. Meetings I certify that the following action will Worth, TX
may be conducted in person, not have a significant impact on a Contracting Activity: General Services
telephonically, on-line through the substantial number of small entities. Administration, New York, NY
Internet, or by other appropriate means. The major factors considered for this NSN(s)—Product Name(s): 7530–00–800–
The meetings of each Advisory certification were: 0996—Paper, Tabulating Machine
Committee will be open to the public 1. The action will not result in Mandatory Source(s) of Supply:
except each Advisory Committee may, additional reporting, recordkeeping or The Lighthouse for the Blind, St. Louis,
by majority vote, meet in executive other compliance requirements for small MO
session when considering personnel, entities. Tarrant County Association for the Blind,
privileged, or other confidential 2. The action may result in Fort Worth, TX
information. Nominees must have the Contracting Activity: General Services
authorizing small entities to furnish the Administration, New York, NY
ability to participate in Committee products and services to the
business through the Internet. Government. Services
Dated: June 3, 2016. 3. There are no known regulatory Service Type: Document Destruction Service
Michelle K. Lee, alternatives which would accomplish Mandatory for: Internal Revenue Service: St.
the objectives of the Javits-Wagner- Paul Headquarters, Minneapolis, MN
Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Mandatory Source(s) of Supply:
Property and Director of the United States O’Day Act (41 U.S.C. 8501–8506) in
connection with the products and AccessAbility, Inc., Minneapolis, MN
Patent and Trademark Office. Contracting Activity: Dept. of the Treasury,
[FR Doc. 2016–13765 Filed 6–9–16; 8:45 am] services deleted from the Procurement Washington, DC
List.
BILLING CODE 3510–16–P Service Type: Janitorial/Custodial Service
End of Certification Service Mandatory For: Middle River Depot,
2800 Eastern Blvd., Baltimore, MD
Accordingly, the following products Mandatory Source(s) of Supply: The Chimes,
COMMITTEE FOR PURCHASE FROM and services are deleted from the
PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR Inc., Baltimore, MD
Procurement List: Contracting Activity: GSA/PBS/R03 Regional
SEVERELY DISABLED
Products Contracts Support Services Section,
Philadelphia, PA
Procurement List; Deletions NSN(s)—Product Name(s):
8415–01–580–0038—Cover, Helmet, Barry S. Lineback,
AGENCY: Committee for Purchase From
Advanced Combat, Multi Camouflage, Director, Business Operations.
People Who Are Blind or Severely Large/X-Large
Disabled. [FR Doc. 2016–13769 Filed 6–9–16; 8:45 am]
8415–01–580–0064—Cover, Helmet,
BILLING CODE 6353–01–P
ACTION: Deletions from the Procurement Advanced Combat, Multi Camouflage,
List. Small/Medium
8415–01–580–0074—Cover, Helmet,
SUMMARY: The Committee is proposing Advanced Combat, Multi Camouflage, COMMITTEE FOR PURCHASE FROM
to delete products and services from the XX-Large PEOPLE WHO ARE BLIND OR
Procurement List that were previously Mandatory Source(s) of Supply: SEVERELY DISABLED
furnished by nonprofit agencies Mount Rogers Community Services Board,
employing persons who are blind or Wytheville, VA Procurement List; Proposed Additions
have other severe disabilities.
Lions Volunteer Blind Industries, Inc., and Deletion
Morristown, TN
DATES: Effective July 10, 2016 Contracting Activities: AGENCY: Committee for Purchase From
ADDRESSES: Committee for Purchase Army Contracting Command—Aberdeen People Who Are Blind or Severely
From People Who Are Blind or Severely Proving Ground, Natick Contracting Disabled.
Disabled, 1401 S. Clark Street, Suite Division, Natick, MA
ACTION: Proposed additions to and
715, Arlington, Virginia 22202–4149. Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support,
Philadelphia, PA deletion from the procurement list.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
NSN(s)—Product Name(s): SUMMARY: The Committee is proposing
Barry S. Lineback, Telephone: (703) 7510–01–463–1985—Jumbo Refill,
603–7740, Fax: (703) 603–0655, or email to add products and services to the
Ballpoint Pen ‘‘Aristocrat’’
CMTEFedReg@AbilityOne.gov. 7510–01–463–1987—Jumbo Refill, Procurement List that will be furnished
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Ballpoint Pen ‘‘Aristocrat’’ by nonprofit agencies employing
7510–01–463–1988—Jumbo Refill, persons who are blind or have other
asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Deletions Ballpoint Pen ‘‘Aristocrat’’ severe disabilities, and deletes a product
On 4/22/2016 (81 FR 23682), 5/6/2016 7510–01–463–1989—Jumbo Refill, previously furnished by such agency.
Ballpoint Pen ‘‘Aristocrat’’ Comments must be received on or
(81 FR 27419–27420), and 5/20/2016 (81
7520–01–446–4500—Pen, Retractable, before: 7/10/2016.
FR 31917–31918), the Committee for Cushion Grip, Exec. ‘‘Aristocrat’’
Purchase From People Who Are Blind 7520–01–446–4503—Pen, Retractable, ADDRESSES: Committee for Purchase
or Severely Disabled published notices Cushion Grip, Exec. ‘‘Aristocrat’’ From People Who Are Blind or Severely
of proposed deletions from the 7520–01–446–4504—Pen, Retractable, Disabled, 1401 S. Clark Street, Suite
Procurement List. Cushion Grip, Exec. ‘‘Aristocrat’’ 715, Arlington, Virginia, 22202–4149.
VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:02 Jun 09, 2016 Jkt 238001 PO 00000 Frm 00016 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\10JNN1.SGM 10JNN1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_37692/page/2.svg)
Document Created: 2018-02-08 07:35:45
Document Modified: 2018-02-08 07:35:45
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Notice and request for nominations for the Patent and Trademark Public Advisory Committees. | |
| Dates | Nominations must be postmarked or electronically transmitted on or before July 25, 2016. | |
| Contact | Vikrum D. Aiyer, Chief of Staff, Office of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the USPTO, at (571) 272-8600. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 37580 |
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