Invention Promoters/Promotion Firms Complaints, 49214-49215 [2015-20192]

Download as PDF 49214 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 158 / Monday, August 17, 2015 / Notices Special Accommodations The meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Mr. Kris Kleinschmidt at (503) 820–2280, extension 425 at least 5 days prior to the meeting date. Dated: August 12, 2015. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015–20204 Filed 8–14–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Patent and Trademark Office Invention Promoters/Promotion Firms Complaints ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request 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 extension of a continuing 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 October 16, 2015. ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted by any of the following methods: • Email: InformationCollection@ uspto.gov. Include ‘‘0651–0044 comment’’ in the subject line of the message. • Federal Rulemaking Portal: https:// 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 Cathie Kirik, Mail Stop 24, Commissioner for Patents, United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313–1450; by telephone at 571–272– 8040; or by email at Cathie.Kirik@ uspto.gov with ‘‘0651–0044 comment’’ in the subject line. Additional mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:57 Aug 14, 2015 Jkt 235001 information about this collection is also available at https://www.reginfo.gov under ‘‘Information Collection Review.’’ SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Rights Act. There is no associated form for submitting responses to the complaints. I. Abstract Under the Inventors’ Rights Act of 1999, as found in 35 U.S.C. 297 and implemented by 37 CFR part 4, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is required to provide a forum for the publication of complaints concerning invention promoters and responses from the invention promoters to these complaints. An individual may submit a complaint concerning an invention promoter to the USPTO, which will forward the complaint to the invention promoter for response. The complaints and responses will be published and made available to the public on the USPTO Web site. The USPTO does not investigate these complaints or participate in any legal proceedings against invention promoters or promotion firms. Complaints submitted to the USPTO must (1) identify the name and address of the complainant and the invention promoter or promotion firm; (2) explain the basis for the complaint; and (3) include the signature of the complainant. The identifying information is necessary so that the USPTO can both forward the complaint to the invention promoter or promotion firm as well as notify the complainant that the complaint has been forwarded. Complainants should understand that the complaints will be forwarded to the invention promoter for response and that the complaint and response will be made available to the public as required by the Inventors’ Rights Act. If the USPTO does not receive a response from the invention promoter, the complaint will still be published without the response. The USPTO does not accept complaints under this program if the complainant requests confidentiality. This information collection includes one form, Complaint Regarding Invention Promoter (PTO/SB/2048A), which is used by the public to submit a complaint under this program. This form is available for download from the USPTO Web site. Use of this form is not mandatory, and the complainant may submit their complaint without the form via any of the approved methods of collection as long as the complainant includes the necessary information and the submission is clearly marked as a complaint filed under the Inventors’ By mail, facsimile, or hand delivery to the USPTO. PO 00000 Frm 00017 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 II. Method of Collection III. Data OMB Number: 0651–0044. IC Instruments and Forms: The individual instruments in this collection, as well as their associated forms, are listed in the table below. Type of Review: Revision of a Previously Existing Information Collection. Affected Public: Individuals or households; businesses or other forprofits; and not-for-profit institutions. Estimated Number of Respondents: 50 responses per year. Of this total, the USPTO expects that 100% will be submitted on paper. Estimated Time per Response: The USPTO estimates that it will take the public approximately 15 minutes (0.25 hours) to gather the necessary information, prepare the form, and submit a complaint to the USPTO and approximately 30 minutes (0.5 hours) for an invention promoter or promotion firm to prepare and submit a response to a complaint. Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 17.5 hours. Estimated Total Annual Cost Burden (Hourly): $3,026.25. The USPTO expects that complaints will be prepared by paraprofessionals or independent inventors. Using the average of the paraprofessional rate of $125 per hour and the estimated rate of $30 per hour for independent inventors, the USPTO estimates that the average rate for preparing the complaints will be approximately $77.50 per hour. The USPTO expects that the responses to the complaints will be prepared by attorneys or invention promoters. Using the average of the professional rate of $389 per hour for attorneys in private firms and the estimated rate of $100 per hour for invention promoters, the USPTO estimates that the average rate for preparing the responses to the complaints will be approximately $244.50 per hour. The time per response, estimated annual responses, and estimated annual hour burden associated with each instrument in this information collection is shown in the table below. E:\FR\FM\17AUN1.SGM 17AUN1 49215 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 158 / Monday, August 17, 2015 / Notices Hours Item 1 ........................ Responses (yr) Burden (hrs/yr) Rate ($/hr) Total cost ($/yr) (a) IC No. (b) (c) = (a) × (b) (d) (e) = (c) × (d) 0.25 30 7.5 $77.50 $581.25 2 ........................ Complaint Regarding Invention Promoter (PTO/SB/2048). Responses to the Complaints .... 0.50 20 10 224.50 2,445.00 Totals ......... ................................................ .......................... 50 17.5 .......................... 3,026.25 Estimated Total Annual Cost Burden (Non-Hourly): $493.70. There are no capital startup, maintenance, or operating fees associated with this collection, nor are there filing or processing fees. There is, however, a non-hourly cost burden associated with this collection in the form of postage costs. For this collection, it is estimated that 30 complaints will be received by mail. The USPTO estimates that the first-class postage cost for a mailed complaint will be $0.49. Promotion firms may choose to send responses to complaints using overnight mail service at an estimated cost of $23.95 per response. The USPTO estimates that it will receive 20 responses to complaints. Therefore, the total postage cost associated with this collection will be approximately $493.70. As there are no other annual (non-hourly) costs associated with this collection, the USPTO therefore estimates that the total annual (nonhourly) cost burden for this collection, in the form of postage costs, is $493.70 per year. mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 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, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (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, including through the use of automated collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized or included in the request for OMB approval of this information collection; they will also become a matter of public record. VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:57 Aug 14, 2015 Jkt 235001 Dated: August 6, 2015. Marcie Lovett, Records Management Division Director, USPTO, Office of the Chief Information Officer. [FR Doc. 2015–20192 Filed 8–14–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–16–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Patent and Trademark Office Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request; ‘‘Patents for Humanity Program’’ The Department of Commerce will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). Agency: United States Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce. Title: Patents for Humanity Program. OMB Control Number: 0651–0066. Form Number(s): • PTO/PFH/001 • PTO/PFH/002 • PTO/SB/431 Type of Request: Regular. Number of Respondents: 110 responses per year. Average Minutes per Response: 60 minutes (attorney) or 180 minutes (paralegal) for the Humanitarian Program Application, and 60 minutes for the Petition to Extend the Redemption Period of the Humanitarian Awards Certificate. Burden Hours: 410. Cost Burden: $0. Needs and Uses The Patents for Humanity Program is designed to incentivize the distribution of patented technologies or products to address humanitarian needs, and is open to any patent owners or patent licensees, including inventors who have not assigned their ownership rights to others, assignees, and exclusive or nonexclusive licensees. Applications are considered in five categories: Medicine, Nutrition, Sanitation, Household Energy, and Living Standards. PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The USPTO has developed two application forms that applicants can use to apply for participation in the Patents for Humanity Program—one application covers the humanitarian uses of technologies or products and the other application covers humanitarian research. Applicants may optionally provide contact information for the public to reach them with any inquiries. Additionally, applicants may provide non-public contact information by email to the USPTO in order to be notified about their award status. Applications must be submitted electronically as described at https://www.uspto.gov/ patentsforhumanity. Complete submitted applications will be available on the public Web site after being screened for inappropriate material. The applications are reviewed by external judges working independently. A selection committee composed of representatives from other federal agencies and laboratories will make recommendations for the awards based on the judges’ reviews. Those applicants who are selected for an award will receive a certificate redeemable to accelerate select matters before the USPTO and public recognition of their efforts, including an awards ceremony at the USPTO. The certificates can be redeemed to accelerate one of the following matters: an ex parte reexamination proceeding, including one appeal to the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) from that proceeding; a patent application, including one appeal to the PTAB from that application; or an appeal to the PTAB of a claim twice rejected in a patent application or reissue application or finally rejected in an ex parte reexamination, without accelerating the underlying matter which generated the appeal. The certificates cannot be transferred to other parties. Affected Public: Individuals or households, businesses or other forprofits; not-for-profit institutions. Frequency: Annually. Respondent’s Obligation: Required to obtain or retain benefits. OMB Desk Officer: Nicholas A. Fraser, email: Nicholas_A._Fraser@ omb.eop.gov. E:\FR\FM\17AUN1.SGM 17AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 158 (Monday, August 17, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49214-49215]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-20192]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

 Patent and Trademark Office


Invention Promoters/Promotion Firms Complaints

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 
extension of a continuing 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 October 16, 
2015.

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be submitted by any of the following 
methods:
     Email: InformationCollection@uspto.gov. Include ``0651-
0044 comment'' in the subject line of the message.
     Federal Rulemaking Portal: https://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 Cathie Kirik, Mail Stop 24, Commissioner for 
Patents, United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, 
Alexandria, VA 22313-1450; by telephone at 571-272-8040; or by email at 
Cathie.Kirik@uspto.gov with ``0651-0044 comment'' in the subject line. 
Additional information about this collection is also available at 
https://www.reginfo.gov under ``Information Collection Review.''

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Under the Inventors' Rights Act of 1999, as found in 35 U.S.C. 297 
and implemented by 37 CFR part 4, the United States Patent and 
Trademark Office (USPTO) is required to provide a forum for the 
publication of complaints concerning invention promoters and responses 
from the invention promoters to these complaints. An individual may 
submit a complaint concerning an invention promoter to the USPTO, which 
will forward the complaint to the invention promoter for response. The 
complaints and responses will be published and made available to the 
public on the USPTO Web site. The USPTO does not investigate these 
complaints or participate in any legal proceedings against invention 
promoters or promotion firms.
    Complaints submitted to the USPTO must (1) identify the name and 
address of the complainant and the invention promoter or promotion 
firm; (2) explain the basis for the complaint; and (3) include the 
signature of the complainant. The identifying information is necessary 
so that the USPTO can both forward the complaint to the invention 
promoter or promotion firm as well as notify the complainant that the 
complaint has been forwarded. Complainants should understand that the 
complaints will be forwarded to the invention promoter for response and 
that the complaint and response will be made available to the public as 
required by the Inventors' Rights Act. If the USPTO does not receive a 
response from the invention promoter, the complaint will still be 
published without the response. The USPTO does not accept complaints 
under this program if the complainant requests confidentiality.
    This information collection includes one form, Complaint Regarding 
Invention Promoter (PTO/SB/2048A), which is used by the public to 
submit a complaint under this program. This form is available for 
download from the USPTO Web site. Use of this form is not mandatory, 
and the complainant may submit their complaint without the form via any 
of the approved methods of collection as long as the complainant 
includes the necessary information and the submission is clearly marked 
as a complaint filed under the Inventors' Rights Act. There is no 
associated form for submitting responses to the complaints.

II. Method of Collection

    By mail, facsimile, or hand delivery to the USPTO.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0651-0044.
    IC Instruments and Forms: The individual instruments in this 
collection, as well as their associated forms, are listed in the table 
below.
    Type of Review: Revision of a Previously Existing Information 
Collection.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households; businesses or other 
for-profits; and not-for-profit institutions.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 50 responses per year. Of this 
total, the USPTO expects that 100% will be submitted on paper.
    Estimated Time per Response: The USPTO estimates that it will take 
the public approximately 15 minutes (0.25 hours) to gather the 
necessary information, prepare the form, and submit a complaint to the 
USPTO and approximately 30 minutes (0.5 hours) for an invention 
promoter or promotion firm to prepare and submit a response to a 
complaint.
    Estimated Total Annual Hour Burden: 17.5 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost Burden (Hourly): $3,026.25. The USPTO 
expects that complaints will be prepared by paraprofessionals or 
independent inventors. Using the average of the paraprofessional rate 
of $125 per hour and the estimated rate of $30 per hour for independent 
inventors, the USPTO estimates that the average rate for preparing the 
complaints will be approximately $77.50 per hour.
    The USPTO expects that the responses to the complaints will be 
prepared by attorneys or invention promoters. Using the average of the 
professional rate of $389 per hour for attorneys in private firms and 
the estimated rate of $100 per hour for invention promoters, the USPTO 
estimates that the average rate for preparing the responses to the 
complaints will be approximately $244.50 per hour. The time per 
response, estimated annual responses, and estimated annual hour burden 
associated with each instrument in this information collection is shown 
in the table below.

[[Page 49215]]



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                                                          Total cost ($/
               IC No.                             Item                    Hours        Responses (yr)  Burden (hrs/yr)    Rate ($/hr)          yr)
                                     ..............................              (a)              (b)  (c) = (a) x (b)              (d)  (e) = (c) x (d)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1..................................  Complaint Regarding Invention              0.25               30              7.5           $77.50          $581.25
                                      Promoter (PTO/SB/2048).
2..................................  Responses to the Complaints...             0.50               20               10           224.50         2,445.00
                                                                    ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Totals.........................  ..............................  ...............               50             17.5  ...............         3,026.25
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Estimated Total Annual Cost Burden (Non-Hourly): $493.70. There are 
no capital startup, maintenance, or operating fees associated with this 
collection, nor are there filing or processing fees. There is, however, 
a non-hourly cost burden associated with this collection in the form of 
postage costs.
    For this collection, it is estimated that 30 complaints will be 
received by mail. The USPTO estimates that the first-class postage cost 
for a mailed complaint will be $0.49. Promotion firms may choose to 
send responses to complaints using overnight mail service at an 
estimated cost of $23.95 per response. The USPTO estimates that it will 
receive 20 responses to complaints. Therefore, the total postage cost 
associated with this collection will be approximately $493.70. As there 
are no other annual (non-hourly) costs associated with this collection, 
the USPTO therefore estimates that the total annual (non-hourly) cost 
burden for this collection, in the form of postage costs, is $493.70 
per year.

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, including 
the validity of the methodology and assumptions used;
    (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, including through the use of automated collection 
techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting 
electronic submission of responses.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized or 
included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they will also become a matter of public record.

    Dated: August 6, 2015.
Marcie Lovett,
Records Management Division Director, USPTO, Office of the Chief 
Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2015-20192 Filed 8-14-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-16-P
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