83 FR 2759 - Changes To Eliminate Unnecessary Regulations

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
United States Patent and Trademark Office

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 13 (January 19, 2018)

Page Range		2759-2762
FR Document		2018-00769

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) proposes to remove its regulations governing reservation clauses, petitions from the refusal of a primary examiner to admit an amendment, the publication of amendments to the regulations, and limits that the Director can impose on the number of inter partes reviews and post-grant reviews heard by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. These regulations are unnecessary or superfluous and in some cases have expired, and their removal will help streamline USPTO's body of regulations without reducing the availability of services for the public. This proposed rule arises out of the USPTO's work during FY 2017 to identify and propose regulations for removal, modification, and streamlining because they are outdated, unnecessary, ineffective, costly, or unduly burdensome on the agency or the private sector. The revisions proposed herein would put into effect the work the USPTO has done, in part through its participation in the Regulatory Reform Task Force established by the Department of Commerce pursuant to Executive Order 13777, to review and identify regulations that are candidates for removal.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 13 (Friday, January 19, 2018)

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 13 (Friday, January 19, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 2759-2762]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-00769]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

United States Patent and Trademark Office

37 CFR Parts 1 and 42

[Docket No.: PTO-P-2017-0034]
RIN 0651-AD25


Changes To Eliminate Unnecessary Regulations

AGENCY: United States Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or 
Office) proposes to remove its regulations governing reservation 
clauses, petitions from the refusal of a primary examiner to admit an 
amendment, the publication of amendments to the regulations, and limits 
that the Director can impose on the number of inter partes reviews and 
post-grant reviews heard by the Patent Trial and Appeal Board. These 
regulations are unnecessary or superfluous and in some cases have 
expired, and their removal will help streamline USPTO's body of 
regulations without reducing the availability of services for the 
public. This proposed rule arises out of the USPTO's work during FY 
2017 to identify and propose regulations for removal, modification, and 
streamlining because they are outdated, unnecessary, ineffective, 
costly, or unduly burdensome on the agency or the private sector. The 
revisions proposed herein would put into effect the work the USPTO has 
done, in part through its participation in the Regulatory Reform Task 
Force established by the Department of Commerce pursuant to Executive 
Order 13777, to review and identify regulations that are candidates for 
removal.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before February 20, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the changes set forth in this proposed 
rulemaking should be sent by electronic mail message to: 
[email protected]. Comments may also be submitted by postal mail 
addressed to: Mail Stop Comments--Patents, Commissioner for Patents, 
P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA, 22313-1450, marked to the attention of 
Raul Tamayo, Senior Legal Advisor, Office of Patent Legal 
Administration. Comments concerning ideas to improve, revise, and 
streamline other USPTO regulations, not discussed in this proposed 
rulemaking, should be submitted to: [email protected].
    Comments may also be submitted via the Federal eRulemaking Portal 
at http://www.regulations.gov. See the Federal eRulemaking Portal 
website for additional instructions on providing comments via the 
Federal eRulemaking Portal. Although comments may be submitted by 
postal mail, the Office prefers to receive comments by electronic mail 
message over the internet because the Office may easily share such 
comments with the public. Electronic comments are preferred to be 
submitted in plain text, but also may be submitted in ADOBE[supreg] 
portable document format or MICROSOFT WORD[supreg] format. Comments not 
submitted electronically should be submitted on paper in a format that 
facilitates convenient digital scanning into ADOBE[supreg] portable 
document format.
    The comments will be available for public inspection at the Office 
of the Commissioner for Patents, currently located in Madison East, 600 
Dulany Street, Alexandria, Virginia. Comments also will be available 
for viewing via the Office's internet website (http://www.uspto.gov) 
and at http://www.regulations.gov. Because comments will be made 
available for public inspection, information that the submitter does 
not desire to make public, such as an address or phone number, should 
not be included in the comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Raul Tamayo, Senior Legal Advisor, 
Office of Patent Legal Administration, at (571) 272-7728, for questions 
regarding the changes to 37 CFR 1.79 and/or 1.127; Susan L. C. 
Mitchell, Lead Administrative Patent Judge, Patent Trial and Appeal 
Board, at (571) 272-8715, for questions regarding the changes to 37 CFR 
part 42; and Nicolas Oettinger, Senior Counsel for Regulatory and 
Legislative Affairs, Office of the General Counsel, at (571) 272-7832, 
for questions regarding the change to 37 CFR 1.351 and general 
questions regarding regulatory reform.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Background

    In accordance with Executive Order 13777, ``Enforcing the 
Regulatory Reform Agenda,'' the Department of Commerce established a 
Regulatory Reform Task Force (Task Force), comprising, among others, 
agency officials from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, the Bureau of Industry and Security, and the USPTO, and 
charged the Task Force with evaluating existing regulations and 
identifying those that should be repealed, replaced, or modified 
because they are potentially outdated, unnecessary, ineffective, 
costly, or unduly burdensome to both government and private sector 
operations.
    To support its regulatory reform efforts on the Task Force, the 
USPTO assembled a Working Group on Regulatory Reform (Working Group), 
consisting of subject matter experts from each of the business units 
that implement the USPTO's regulations, to consider, review, and 
recommend ways that the regulations could be improved, revised, and 
streamlined. In considering the revisions, the USPTO, through its 
Working Group, incorporated into its analyses all presidential 
directives relating to regulatory reform. The Working Group reviewed 
existing regulations, both discretionary and required by statute or 
judicial order. The USPTO also solicited comments from stakeholders 
through a web page established to provide information on the USPTO's 
regulatory reform efforts, and through the Department's Federal 
Register Notice titled ``Impact of Federal Regulations on Domestic 
Manufacturing'' (82 FR 12786, Mar. 7, 2017), which addressed the impact 
of regulatory burdens on domestic manufacturing. These efforts led to 
the development of candidate regulations for removal based on the 
USPTO's assessment that these regulations were not needed and/or that 
elimination

[[Page 2760]]

could improve the USPTO's body of regulations. To facilitate review and 
public comment, the USPTO consolidates and proposes in this rule 
revisions to patent regulations in Part 1 and Patent Trial and Appeal 
Board regulations in Part 42. Other proposals to remove regulations on 
other subject areas may be published separately.

II. Regulations Proposed for Removal

    This proposed rulemaking would remove regulations concerning 
reservation clauses, petitions from the refusal of a primary examiner 
to admit an amendment, and publication of amendments to the regulations 
in 37 CFR part 1. This proposed rulemaking would also remove 
regulations concerning limits that the Director can impose on the 
number of inter partes reviews and post-grant reviews in 37 CFR part 
42.
    In particular, this proposed rulemaking would remove 37 CFR 1.79. 
Section 1.79 prohibits reservation clauses, i.e., it prohibits a 
pending patent application from containing a reservation for a future 
patent application of subject matter disclosed but not claimed in the 
pending application. An applicant's ability to claim benefit of a prior 
application is affirmatively provided elsewhere in statute and 
regulation (as described below), and the explicit prohibition of Sec.  
1.79 on reservation clauses (which do not confer this benefit) dates 
from a time when the mechanism for properly claiming benefit of a prior 
application was less clear and less fully developed in USPTO's 
regulations and guidance. The proposed removal of Sec.  1.79 is not an 
endorsement of reservation clauses nor an invitation for applicants to 
include reservation clauses in applications. The Office does not expect 
the use of reservation clauses to significantly increase once the 
proposed rulemaking is made final, because such reservation clauses 
provide no legal benefit, regardless of Sec.  1.79. For example, the 
inclusion of a reservation clause in a pending application would not 
change any of the requirements for a future application to benefit from 
the earlier filing date of the pending application. The authority for 
the future application to benefit from the earlier filing date of the 
pending application would stem, as it does now, from the fulfillment of 
requirements set forth in statutory and regulatory provisions in which 
a reservation clause plays no role, e.g., 35 U.S.C. 120 and 37 CFR 
1.78. Nor would the inclusion of a reservation clause protect against 
rejections for statutory or nonstatutory double patenting. In view of 
the fact that the inclusion of a reservation clause provides no legal 
benefit, and given that the affirmative ability to claim benefit of a 
prior application is more fully and completely described elsewhere in 
USPTO's regulations and guidance (unlike when Sec.  1.79 was first 
adopted), the prohibition of reservation clauses in Sec.  1.79 is 
unnecessary.
    Section 1.79 also permits a patent application disclosing unclaimed 
subject matter to contain a reference to a later filed application of 
the same applicant or owned by a common assignee disclosing and 
claiming that subject matter. This provision of Sec.  1.79 is 
duplicative and therefore unnecessary. 37 CFR 1.78 provides for cross-
references to other applications, including cross-references to 
applications for which a benefit is not claimed, which encompasses the 
later filed applications identified in Sec.  1.79. Thus, once the 
proposed rulemaking is made final, applicants will continue to be able 
to include in a pending application a reference to a later filed 
application as currently provided for in Sec.  1.79.
    This proposed rulemaking would remove Sec.  1.127, which also is 
duplicative. Section 1.127 indicates that a petition to the Director 
under 37 CFR 1.181 may be filed upon a refusal by a primary examiner to 
admit an amendment, in whole or in part. Section 1.127 is unnecessary. 
The language of Sec.  1.181 makes clear that a refusal by a primary 
examiner to admit an amendment is petitionable under Sec.  1.181. The 
Manual of Patent Examining Procedure (9th ed. 2014) (Rev. Nov. 2015) 
also makes this fact clear in its discussion at section 1002.02(c). 
Thus, once the proposed rulemaking is made final, applicants will 
continue to be able to petition under Sec.  1.181 the refusal by a 
primary examiner to admit an amendment, in whole or in part.
    This proposed rulemaking additionally would remove 37 CFR 1.351. 
Section 1.351 states that all amendments to the regulations in 37 CFR 
part 1 will be published in the Official Gazette and in the Federal 
Register. Section 1.351 is unnecessary. In accordance with the 
requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and guidance 
from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Office publishes 
any amendments to 37 CFR part 1 in the Federal Register. The APA 
generally requires the Office to give public notice of any regulatory 
change, and OMB's guidance with respect to rulemaking makes clear that 
publication in the Federal Register is the required means for giving 
public notice. Furthermore, the Office intends to continue publishing 
all amendments to the regulations in 37 CFR part 1 in the Official 
Gazette. Thus, once the proposed rulemaking is made final, the Office 
will continue the practice of publishing all amendments to the 
regulations in 37 CFR part 1 in the Federal Register, as required by 
OMB, and in the Official Gazette.
    Finally, this proposed rulemaking would remove 37 CFR 42.102(b) and 
42.202(b), both of which are now out of date. Section 42.102(b) 
provides that the Director may impose a limit on the number of inter 
partes reviews that may be instituted during each of the first four 
one-year periods that the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA) is in 
effect. Section 42.202(b) has a similar provision for post-grant 
reviews. Neither rule remains necessary because the fourth anniversary 
of the effective date of the AIA has passed.
    The regulations proposed in this rule for removal achieve the 
objective of making the USPTO's regulations more streamlined and less 
burdensome, while enabling the USPTO to fulfill its mission goals. The 
USPTO's analysis shows that removal of these regulations is not 
expected to substantially reduce the burden on the impacted community; 
however, the regulations are nonetheless being eliminated because they 
are ``outdated, unnecessary, or ineffective'' regulations encompassed 
by the directives in Executive Order 13777.

III. Discussion of Proposed Rules Changes

Part 1

    Section 1.79: Section 1.79 is removed and reserved.
    Section 1.127: Section 1.127 is removed and reserved.
    Section 1.351: Section 1.351 is removed and reserved.

Part 42

    Section 42.102(b): Section 42.102(b) is removed and reserved.
    Section 42.202(b): Section 42.202(b) is removed and reserved.
Rulemaking Considerations
    A. Administrative Procedure Act: The changes in this proposed 
rulemaking involve rules of agency practice and procedure, and/or 
interpretive rules. See Perez v. Mortg. Bankers Ass'n, 135 S. Ct. 1199, 
1204 (2015) (Interpretive rules ``advise the public of the agency's 
construction of the statutes and rules which it administers.'' 
(citation and internal quotation marks omitted)); Nat'l Org. of 
Veterans' Advocates v. Sec'y of Veterans Affairs, 260 F.3d 1365, 1375

[[Page 2761]]

(Fed. Cir. 2001) (Rule that clarifies interpretation of a statute is 
interpretive.); Bachow Commc'ns Inc. v. FCC, 237 F.3d 683, 690 (D.C. 
Cir. 2001) (Rules governing an application process are procedural under 
the Administrative Procedure Act.); Inova Alexandria Hosp. v. Shalala, 
244 F.3d 342, 350 (4th Cir. 2001) (Rules for handling appeals were 
procedural where they did not change the substantive standard for 
reviewing claims.).
    Accordingly, prior notice and opportunity for public comment for 
the changes in this proposed rulemaking are not required pursuant to 5 
U.S.C. 553(b) or (c), or any other law. See Perez, 135 S. Ct. at 1206 
(Notice-and-comment procedures are required neither when an agency 
``issue[s] an initial interpretive rule'' nor ``when it amends or 
repeals that interpretive rule.''); Cooper Techs. Co. v. Dudas, 536 
F.3d 1330, 1336-37 (Fed. Cir. 2008) (stating that 5 U.S.C. 553, and 
thus 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(2)(B), does not require notice and comment 
rulemaking for ``interpretative rules, general statements of policy, or 
rules of agency organization, procedure, or practice'' (quoting 5 
U.S.C. 553(b)(A))). The Office, however, is publishing these proposed 
changes for comment as it seeks the benefit of the public's views on 
the Office's proposed implementation of the proposed rule changes.
    B. Regulatory Flexibility Act: For the reasons set forth herein, 
Senior Counsel for Regulatory and Legislative Affairs, Office of 
General Law, of the USPTO, has certified to the Chief Counsel for 
Advocacy of the Small Business Administration that changes proposed in 
this notice will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. See 5 U.S.C. 605(b).
    This proposed rule would remove the provisions at 37 CFR 1.79, 
concerning the prohibition of reservation clauses, Sec.  1.127, 
concerning petitions from refusal to admit amendment, and Sec.  1.351, 
concerning the publication of amendments to rules. These regulations 
are removed because they are not necessary. This rule would also remove 
37 CFR 42.102(b) and 42.202(b), which provide that the Director may 
impose a limit on the number of inter partes reviews and post-grant 
reviews that may be instituted during each of the first four one-year 
periods that the AIA is in effect. These regulations are no longer 
necessary because the fourth anniversary of the effective date of the 
AIA has passed.
    Removing these regulations achieves the objective of making the 
USPTO's regulations more effective and more streamlined, while enabling 
the USPTO to fulfill its mission goals. The removal of these 
regulations is not expected to substantively impact parties as parties 
would either continue to be able to take the same action under a 
different regulatory provision, or the rights or obligations of the 
parties would not be changed in any way. For these reasons, this 
rulemaking will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities.
    C. Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review): This 
rulemaking has been determined to be not significant for purposes of 
Executive Order 12866.
    D. Executive Order 13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory 
Review): The Office has complied with Executive Order 13563. 
Specifically, the Office has, to the extent feasible and applicable: 
(1) Made a reasoned determination that the benefits justify the costs 
of the rule; (2) tailored the rule to impose the least burden on 
society consistent with obtaining the regulatory objectives; (3) 
selected a regulatory approach that maximizes net benefits; (4) 
specified performance objectives; (5) identified and assessed available 
alternatives; (6) involved the public in an open exchange of 
information and perspectives among experts in relevant disciplines, 
affected stakeholders in the private sector and the public as a whole, 
and provided on-line access to the rulemaking docket; (7) attempted to 
promote coordination, simplification, and harmonization across 
government agencies and identified goals designed to promote 
innovation; (8) considered approaches that reduce burdens and maintain 
flexibility and freedom of choice for the public; and (9) ensured the 
objectivity of scientific and technological information and processes.
    E. Executive Order 13771 (Reducing Regulation and Controlling 
Regulatory Costs): This proposed rule is expected to be an Executive 
Order 13771 deregulatory action.
    F. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism): This rulemaking does not 
contain policies with federalism implications sufficient to warrant 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment under Executive Order 13132 
(Aug. 4, 1999).
    G. Executive Order 13175 (Tribal Consultation): This rulemaking 
will not: (1) Have substantial direct effects on one or more Indian 
tribes; (2) impose substantial direct compliance costs on Indian tribal 
governments; or (3) preempt tribal law. Therefore, a tribal summary 
impact statement is not required under Executive Order 13175 (Nov. 6, 
2000).
    H. Executive Order 13211 (Energy Effects): This rulemaking is not a 
significant energy action under Executive Order 13211 because this 
rulemaking is not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the 
supply, distribution, or use of energy. Therefore, a Statement of 
Energy Effects is not required under Executive Order 13211 (May 18, 
2001).
    I. Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform): This rulemaking 
meets applicable standards to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, 
and reduce burden as set forth in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of 
Executive Order 12988 (Feb. 5, 1996).
    J. Executive Order 13045 (Protection of Children): This rulemaking 
does not concern an environmental risk to health or safety that may 
disproportionately affect children under Executive Order 13045 (Apr. 
21, 1997).
    K. Executive Order 12630 (Taking of Private Property): This 
rulemaking will not affect a taking of private property or otherwise 
have taking implications under Executive Order 12630 (Mar. 15, 1988).
    L. Congressional Review Act: Under the Congressional Review Act 
provisions of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 
1996 (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), prior to issuing any final rule, the USPTO 
will submit a report containing the final rule and other required 
information to the United States Senate, the United States House of 
Representatives, and the Comptroller General of the Government 
Accountability Office. The changes in this notice are not expected to 
result in an annual effect on the economy of 100 million dollars or 
more, a major increase in costs or prices, or significant adverse 
effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, 
innovation, or the ability of United States-based enterprises to 
compete with foreign-based enterprises in domestic and export markets. 
Therefore, this notice is not expected to result in a ``major rule'' as 
defined in 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
    M. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995: The changes set forth in 
this notice do not involve a Federal intergovernmental mandate that 
will result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, 
in the aggregate, of 100 million dollars (as adjusted) or more in any 
one year, or a Federal private sector mandate that will result in the 
expenditure by the private sector of 100 million dollars (as adjusted) 
or more in any one year, and will not significantly or uniquely affect 
small governments. Therefore, no actions are

[[Page 2762]]

necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 
1995. See 2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.
    N. National Environmental Policy Act: This rulemaking will not have 
any effect on the quality of the environment and is thus categorically 
excluded from review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969. See 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.
    O. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act: The 
requirements of section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and 
Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) are not applicable because 
this rulemaking does not contain provisions that involve the use of 
technical standards.
    P. Paperwork Reduction Act: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) requires that the Office consider the impact of 
paperwork and other information collection burdens imposed on the 
public. This rulemaking does not involve an information collection that 
is subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3549).
    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required 
to respond to nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to 
comply with a collection of information subject to the requirements of 
the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information 
displays a currently valid OMB control number.

List of Subjects

37 CFR Part 1

    Administrative practice and procedure, Courts, Freedom of 
Information, Inventions and patents, Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Small businesses.

37 CFR Part 42

    Administrative practice and procedure, Inventions and patents.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Office proposes to 
amend parts 1 and 42 of title 37 as follows:

PART 1--RULES OF PRACTICE IN PATENT CASES

0
1. The authority citation for part 1 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(2).


Sec.  1.79  [Removed and reserved]

0
2. Section 1.79 is removed and reserved.


Sec.  1.127  [Removed and reserved]

0
3. Section 1.127 is removed and reserved.


Sec.  1.351  [Removed and reserved]

0
4. Section 1.351 is removed and reserved.

PART 42--TRIAL PRACTICE BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD

0
5. The authority citation for part 42 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(2), 6, 21, 23, 41, 135, 311, 312, 316, 
321-326 and Public Law 112-29, 125 Stat. 284; and Pub. L. 112-274, 
126 Stat. 2456.


Sec.  42.102  [Amended]

0
6. Amend Sec.  42.102 by removing and reserving paragraph (b).


Sec.  42.202  [Amended]

0
7. Amend Sec.  42.202 by removing and reserving paragraph (b).

    Dated: January 11, 2018.
 Joseph Matal,
Associate Solicitor, performing the functions and duties of the Under 
Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the 
United States Patent and Trademark Office.
[FR Doc. 2018-00769 Filed 1-18-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-16-P

2760 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 13 / Friday, January 19, 2018 / Proposed Rules

could improve the USPTO’s body of reservation clause provides no legal notice. Furthermore, the Office intends
regulations. To facilitate review and benefit, and given that the affirmative to continue publishing all amendments
public comment, the USPTO ability to claim benefit of a prior to the regulations in 37 CFR part 1 in
consolidates and proposes in this rule application is more fully and the Official Gazette. Thus, once the
revisions to patent regulations in Part 1 completely described elsewhere in proposed rulemaking is made final, the
and Patent Trial and Appeal Board USPTO’s regulations and guidance Office will continue the practice of
regulations in Part 42. Other proposals (unlike when § 1.79 was first adopted), publishing all amendments to the
to remove regulations on other subject the prohibition of reservation clauses in regulations in 37 CFR part 1 in the
areas may be published separately. § 1.79 is unnecessary. Federal Register, as required by OMB,
Section 1.79 also permits a patent and in the Official Gazette.
II. Regulations Proposed for Removal application disclosing unclaimed Finally, this proposed rulemaking
This proposed rulemaking would subject matter to contain a reference to would remove 37 CFR 42.102(b) and
remove regulations concerning a later filed application of the same 42.202(b), both of which are now out of
reservation clauses, petitions from the applicant or owned by a common date. Section 42.102(b) provides that the
refusal of a primary examiner to admit assignee disclosing and claiming that Director may impose a limit on the
an amendment, and publication of subject matter. This provision of § 1.79 number of inter partes reviews that may
amendments to the regulations in 37 is duplicative and therefore be instituted during each of the first four
CFR part 1. This proposed rulemaking unnecessary. 37 CFR 1.78 provides for one-year periods that the Leahy-Smith
would also remove regulations cross-references to other applications, America Invents Act (AIA) is in effect.
concerning limits that the Director can including cross-references to Section 42.202(b) has a similar
impose on the number of inter partes applications for which a benefit is not provision for post-grant reviews. Neither
reviews and post-grant reviews in 37 claimed, which encompasses the later rule remains necessary because the
CFR part 42. filed applications identified in § 1.79. fourth anniversary of the effective date
In particular, this proposed Thus, once the proposed rulemaking is of the AIA has passed.
rulemaking would remove 37 CFR 1.79. made final, applicants will continue to The regulations proposed in this rule
Section 1.79 prohibits reservation be able to include in a pending for removal achieve the objective of
clauses, i.e., it prohibits a pending application a reference to a later filed making the USPTO’s regulations more
patent application from containing a application as currently provided for in streamlined and less burdensome, while
reservation for a future patent § 1.79. enabling the USPTO to fulfill its
application of subject matter disclosed This proposed rulemaking would mission goals. The USPTO’s analysis
but not claimed in the pending remove § 1.127, which also is shows that removal of these regulations
application. An applicant’s ability to duplicative. Section 1.127 indicates that
claim benefit of a prior application is is not expected to substantially reduce
a petition to the Director under 37 CFR
affirmatively provided elsewhere in the burden on the impacted community;
1.181 may be filed upon a refusal by a
statute and regulation (as described however, the regulations are
primary examiner to admit an
below), and the explicit prohibition of nonetheless being eliminated because
amendment, in whole or in part. Section
§ 1.79 on reservation clauses (which do they are ‘‘outdated, unnecessary, or
1.127 is unnecessary. The language of
not confer this benefit) dates from a time ineffective’’ regulations encompassed by
§ 1.181 makes clear that a refusal by a
when the mechanism for properly the directives in Executive Order 13777.
primary examiner to admit an
claiming benefit of a prior application amendment is petitionable under III. Discussion of Proposed Rules
was less clear and less fully developed § 1.181. The Manual of Patent Changes
in USPTO’s regulations and guidance. Examining Procedure (9th ed. 2014)
The proposed removal of § 1.79 is not an (Rev. Nov. 2015) also makes this fact Part 1
endorsement of reservation clauses nor clear in its discussion at section Section 1.79: Section 1.79 is removed
an invitation for applicants to include 1002.02(c). Thus, once the proposed and reserved.
reservation clauses in applications. The rulemaking is made final, applicants Section 1.127: Section 1.127 is
Office does not expect the use of will continue to be able to petition removed and reserved.
reservation clauses to significantly under § 1.181 the refusal by a primary Section 1.351: Section 1.351 is
increase once the proposed rulemaking examiner to admit an amendment, in removed and reserved.
is made final, because such reservation whole or in part.
clauses provide no legal benefit, This proposed rulemaking Part 42
regardless of § 1.79. For example, the additionally would remove 37 CFR Section 42.102(b): Section 42.102(b) is
inclusion of a reservation clause in a 1.351. Section 1.351 states that all removed and reserved.
pending application would not change amendments to the regulations in 37 Section 42.202(b): Section 42.202(b) is
any of the requirements for a future CFR part 1 will be published in the removed and reserved.
application to benefit from the earlier Official Gazette and in the Federal
filing date of the pending application. Register. Section 1.351 is unnecessary. Rulemaking Considerations
The authority for the future application In accordance with the requirements of A. Administrative Procedure Act: The
to benefit from the earlier filing date of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) changes in this proposed rulemaking
the pending application would stem, as and guidance from the Office of involve rules of agency practice and
it does now, from the fulfillment of Management and Budget (OMB), the procedure, and/or interpretive rules. See
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS

requirements set forth in statutory and Office publishes any amendments to 37 Perez v. Mortg. Bankers Ass’n, 135 S. Ct.
regulatory provisions in which a CFR part 1 in the Federal Register. The 1199, 1204 (2015) (Interpretive rules
reservation clause plays no role, e.g., 35 APA generally requires the Office to ‘‘advise the public of the agency’s
U.S.C. 120 and 37 CFR 1.78. Nor would give public notice of any regulatory construction of the statutes and rules
the inclusion of a reservation clause change, and OMB’s guidance with which it administers.’’ (citation and
protect against rejections for statutory or respect to rulemaking makes clear that internal quotation marks omitted)); Nat’l
nonstatutory double patenting. In view publication in the Federal Register is Org. of Veterans’ Advocates v. Sec’y of
of the fact that the inclusion of a the required means for giving public Veterans Affairs, 260 F.3d 1365, 1375

VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:20 Jan 18, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00014 Fmt 4702 Sfmt 4702 E:\FR\FM\19JAP1.SGM 19JAP1

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 13 / Friday, January 19, 2018 / Proposed Rules 2761

(Fed. Cir. 2001) (Rule that clarifies streamlined, while enabling the USPTO required under Executive Order 13175
interpretation of a statute is to fulfill its mission goals. The removal (Nov. 6, 2000).
interpretive.); Bachow Commc’ns Inc. v. of these regulations is not expected to H. Executive Order 13211 (Energy
FCC, 237 F.3d 683, 690 (D.C. Cir. 2001) substantively impact parties as parties Effects): This rulemaking is not a
(Rules governing an application process would either continue to be able to take significant energy action under
are procedural under the Administrative the same action under a different Executive Order 13211 because this
Procedure Act.); Inova Alexandria Hosp. regulatory provision, or the rights or rulemaking is not likely to have a
v. Shalala, 244 F.3d 342, 350 (4th Cir. obligations of the parties would not be significant adverse effect on the supply,
2001) (Rules for handling appeals were changed in any way. For these reasons, distribution, or use of energy. Therefore,
procedural where they did not change this rulemaking will not have a a Statement of Energy Effects is not
the substantive standard for reviewing significant economic impact on a required under Executive Order 13211
claims.). substantial number of small entities. (May 18, 2001).
Accordingly, prior notice and C. Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory I. Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice
opportunity for public comment for the Planning and Review): This rulemaking Reform): This rulemaking meets
changes in this proposed rulemaking are has been determined to be not applicable standards to minimize
not required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b) significant for purposes of Executive litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and
or (c), or any other law. See Perez, 135 Order 12866. reduce burden as set forth in sections
S. Ct. at 1206 (Notice-and-comment D. Executive Order 13563 (Improving 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order
procedures are required neither when Regulation and Regulatory Review): The 12988 (Feb. 5, 1996).
an agency ‘‘issue[s] an initial J. Executive Order 13045 (Protection
Office has complied with Executive
interpretive rule’’ nor ‘‘when it amends of Children): This rulemaking does not
Order 13563. Specifically, the Office
or repeals that interpretive rule.’’); concern an environmental risk to health
has, to the extent feasible and
Cooper Techs. Co. v. Dudas, 536 F.3d or safety that may disproportionately
applicable: (1) Made a reasoned
1330, 1336–37 (Fed. Cir. 2008) (stating affect children under Executive Order
determination that the benefits justify
that 5 U.S.C. 553, and thus 35 U.S.C. 13045 (Apr. 21, 1997).
the costs of the rule; (2) tailored the rule K. Executive Order 12630 (Taking of
2(b)(2)(B), does not require notice and to impose the least burden on society
comment rulemaking for ‘‘interpretative Private Property): This rulemaking will
consistent with obtaining the regulatory not affect a taking of private property or
rules, general statements of policy, or objectives; (3) selected a regulatory
rules of agency organization, procedure, otherwise have taking implications
approach that maximizes net benefits; under Executive Order 12630 (Mar. 15,
or practice’’ (quoting 5 U.S.C. (4) specified performance objectives; (5)
553(b)(A))). The Office, however, is 1988).
identified and assessed available L. Congressional Review Act: Under
publishing these proposed changes for
alternatives; (6) involved the public in the Congressional Review Act
comment as it seeks the benefit of the
an open exchange of information and provisions of the Small Business
public’s views on the Office’s proposed
perspectives among experts in relevant Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of
implementation of the proposed rule
disciplines, affected stakeholders in the 1996 (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), prior to
changes.
B. Regulatory Flexibility Act: For the private sector and the public as a whole, issuing any final rule, the USPTO will
reasons set forth herein, Senior Counsel and provided on-line access to the submit a report containing the final rule
for Regulatory and Legislative Affairs, rulemaking docket; (7) attempted to and other required information to the
Office of General Law, of the USPTO, promote coordination, simplification, United States Senate, the United States
has certified to the Chief Counsel for and harmonization across government House of Representatives, and the
Advocacy of the Small Business agencies and identified goals designed Comptroller General of the Government
Administration that changes proposed to promote innovation; (8) considered Accountability Office. The changes in
in this notice will not have a significant approaches that reduce burdens and this notice are not expected to result in
economic impact on a substantial maintain flexibility and freedom of an annual effect on the economy of 100
number of small entities. See 5 U.S.C. choice for the public; and (9) ensured million dollars or more, a major increase
605(b). the objectivity of scientific and in costs or prices, or significant adverse
This proposed rule would remove the technological information and effects on competition, employment,
provisions at 37 CFR 1.79, concerning processes. investment, productivity, innovation, or
the prohibition of reservation clauses, E. Executive Order 13771 (Reducing the ability of United States-based
§ 1.127, concerning petitions from Regulation and Controlling Regulatory enterprises to compete with foreign-
refusal to admit amendment, and Costs): This proposed rule is expected to based enterprises in domestic and
§ 1.351, concerning the publication of be an Executive Order 13771 export markets. Therefore, this notice is
amendments to rules. These regulations deregulatory action. not expected to result in a ‘‘major rule’’
are removed because they are not F. Executive Order 13132 as defined in 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
necessary. This rule would also remove (Federalism): This rulemaking does not M. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of
37 CFR 42.102(b) and 42.202(b), which contain policies with federalism 1995: The changes set forth in this
provide that the Director may impose a implications sufficient to warrant notice do not involve a Federal
limit on the number of inter partes preparation of a Federalism Assessment intergovernmental mandate that will
reviews and post-grant reviews that may under Executive Order 13132 (Aug. 4, result in the expenditure by State, local,
be instituted during each of the first four 1999). and tribal governments, in the aggregate,
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS

one-year periods that the AIA is in G. Executive Order 13175 (Tribal of 100 million dollars (as adjusted) or
effect. These regulations are no longer Consultation): This rulemaking will not: more in any one year, or a Federal
necessary because the fourth (1) Have substantial direct effects on one private sector mandate that will result
anniversary of the effective date of the or more Indian tribes; (2) impose in the expenditure by the private sector
AIA has passed. substantial direct compliance costs on of 100 million dollars (as adjusted) or
Removing these regulations achieves Indian tribal governments; or (3) more in any one year, and will not
the objective of making the USPTO’s preempt tribal law. Therefore, a tribal significantly or uniquely affect small
regulations more effective and more summary impact statement is not governments. Therefore, no actions are

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2762 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 13 / Friday, January 19, 2018 / Proposed Rules

necessary under the provisions of the § 1.351 [Removed and reserved] care to patients by having access to the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of ■ 4. Section 1.351 is removed and patient’s VA medical records at the
1995. See 2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq. reserved. point of care.
N. National Environmental Policy DATES: Comment Date: Comments must
Act: This rulemaking will not have any PART 42—TRIAL PRACTICE BEFORE be received on or before March 20, 2018.
effect on the quality of the environment THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL ADDRESSES: Written comments may be
and is thus categorically excluded from BOARD submitted through
review under the National www.Regulations.gov; by mail or hand-
Environmental Policy Act of 1969. See ■ 5. The authority citation for part 42
continues to read as follows: delivery to Director, Regulation Policy
42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq. and Management (00REG), Department
O. National Technology Transfer and Authority: 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(2), 6, 21, 23, 41, of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont
Advancement Act: The requirements of 135, 311, 312, 316, 321–326 and Public Law
Avenue NW, Room 1063B, Washington,
section 12(d) of the National 112–29, 125 Stat. 284; and Pub. L. 112–274,
126 Stat. 2456. DC 20420; or by fax to (202) 273–9026.
Technology Transfer and Advancement Comments should indicate that they are
Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) are not § 42.102 [Amended] submitted in response to ‘‘RIN 2900–
applicable because this rulemaking does AP90 Consent for Release of VA
■ 6. Amend § 42.102 by removing and
not contain provisions that involve the Medical Records.’’ Copies of comments
reserving paragraph (b).
use of technical standards. received will be available for public
P. Paperwork Reduction Act: The § 42.202 [Amended] inspection in the Office of Regulation
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 ■ 7. Amend § 42.202 by removing and Policy and Management, Room 1063B,
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) requires that the reserving paragraph (b). between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30
Office consider the impact of paperwork p.m., Monday through Friday (except
and other information collection Dated: January 11, 2018.
holidays). Please call (202) 461–4902 for
burdens imposed on the public. This Joseph Matal,
an appointment. (This is not a toll-free
rulemaking does not involve an Associate Solicitor, performing the functions
number.) In addition, during the
information collection that is subject to and duties of the Under Secretary of
Commerce for Intellectual Property and comment period, comments may be
review by the Office of Management and viewed online through the Federal
Director of the United States Patent and
Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Trademark Office. Docket Management System (FDMS) at
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501– www.Regulations.gov.
[FR Doc. 2018–00769 Filed 1–18–18; 8:45 am]
3549). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Notwithstanding any other provision BILLING CODE 3510–16–P
Stephania Griffin, Director, Veterans
of law, no person is required to respond Health Administration Information
to nor shall a person be subject to a Access and Privacy Office, Department
penalty for failure to comply with a DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS
of Veterans Affairs, 810 Vermont
collection of information subject to the AFFAIRS
Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20420;
requirements of the Paperwork Stephania.griffin@va.gov, (704) 245–
Reduction Act unless that collection of 38 CFR Part 1
2492 (This is not a toll-free number.)
information displays a currently valid RIN 2900–AP90 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under 38
OMB control number.
U.S.C. 7332, VA must keep confidential
Consent for Release of VA Medical
List of Subjects all records of identity, diagnosis,
Records
prognosis, or treatment of a patient in
37 CFR Part 1
AGENCY: Department of Veterans Affairs. connection with any program or activity
Administrative practice and carried out by VA related to drug abuse,
ACTION: Proposed rule.
procedure, Courts, Freedom of alcoholism or alcohol abuse, infection
Information, Inventions and patents, SUMMARY: The Department of Veterans with human immunodeficiency virus, or
Reporting and recordkeeping Affairs (VA) proposes to amend its sickle cell anemia, and must obtain
requirements, Small businesses. regulations to clarify that a valid patients’ written consent before VA may
37 CFR Part 42 consent authorizing the Department to disclose the protected information
release the patient’s confidential VA unless authorized by the statute. This
Administrative practice and medical records to a health information requirement applies to communications
procedure, Inventions and patents. exchange (HIE) community partner may between VA and community health care
For the reasons stated in the be established not only by VA’s physical providers for the purposes of treatment,
preamble, the Office proposes to amend possession of the written consent form, except in certain situations, for instance
parts 1 and 42 of title 37 as follows: but also by the HIE community partner’s in medical emergencies and when the
written (electronic) attestation that the records are sent to a non-Department
PART 1—RULES OF PRACTICE IN
patient has, in fact, provided such entity that provides hospital care to
PATENT CASES
consent. This proposed rule would be a patients as authorized by the Secretary.
■ 1. The authority citation for part 1 reinterpretation of an existing, long- 38 U.S.C. 7332(b)(2)(A) and (H); Public
continues to read as follows: standing regulation and is necessary to Law 115–26 (April 19, 2017). Although
facilitate modern requirements for the section 7332 does not explicitly require
daltland on DSKBBV9HB2PROD with PROPOSALS

Authority: 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(2).
sharing of patient records with that the written consent physically be in
§ 1.79 [Removed and reserved] community health care providers, VA’s possession at the time of the
■ 2. Section 1.79 is removed and health plans, governmental agencies, disclosure, VA had interpreted the
reserved. and other entities participating in statute to require such possession, and
electronic HIEs. This revision would therefore applied 38 CFR 1.475
§ 1.127 [Removed and reserved] ensure that more community health care consistent with that interpretation. VA
■ 3. Section 1.127 is removed and providers and other HIE community has reexamined that statutory
reserved. partners can deliver informed medical interpretation in light of contemporary

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Document Created: 2018-01-19 02:43:00
Document Modified: 2018-01-19 02:43:00

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		Proposed Rules
Action		Notice of proposed rulemaking.
Dates		Written comments must be received on or before February 20, 2018.
Contact		Raul Tamayo, Senior Legal Advisor, Office of Patent Legal Administration, at (571) 272-7728, for questions regarding the changes to 37 CFR 1.79 and/or 1.127; Susan L. C. Mitchell, Lead Administrative Patent Judge, Patent Trial and Appeal Board, at (571) 272-8715, for questions regarding the changes to 37 CFR part 42; and Nicolas Oettinger, Senior Counsel for Regulatory and Legislative Affairs, Office of the General Counsel, at (571) 272-7832, for questions regarding the change to 37 CFR 1.351 and general questions regarding regulatory reform.
FR Citation		83 FR 2759
RIN Number		0651-AD25
CFR Citation		37 CFR 1 37 CFR 42
CFR Associated		Administrative Practice and Procedure; Courts; Freedom of Information; Inventions and Patents; Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements and Small Businesses

83 FR 2759 - Changes To Eliminate Unnecessary Regulations

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCEUnited States Patent and Trademark Office

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 13 (January 19, 2018)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
United States Patent and Trademark Office