USPTO Law School Clinic Certification Program, 78155-78159 [2015-31627]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• Patent and Trademark Office

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 241 (Wednesday, December 16, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 78155-78159]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-31627]



[[Page 78155]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

 Patent and Trademark Office

37 CFR Part 11

[Docket No.: PTO-C-2015-0018]
RIN 0651-AC99


USPTO Law School Clinic Certification Program

AGENCY: United States Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: This rulemaking is required by a Public Law enacted on 
December 16, 2014. This law requires the United States Patent and 
Trademark Office (``Office'' or ``USPTO'') Director to establish 
regulations and procedures for application to and participation in the 
USPTO Law School Clinic Certification Program. This law removed the 
``pilot'' status of the USPTO's existing law school clinic 
certification program. The program allows students enrolled in a 
participating law school's clinic to practice patent and trademark law 
before the USPTO under the direct supervision of a faculty clinic 
supervisor by drafting, filing, and prosecuting patent or trademark 
applications, or both, on a pro bono basis for clients who qualify for 
assistance from the law school's clinic. In this way, these student 
practitioners gain valuable experience drafting, filing, and 
prosecuting patent and trademark applications that would otherwise be 
unavailable to students while in law school. The program also 
facilitates the provision of pro bono services to trademark and patent 
applicants who lack the financial resources to pay for legal 
representation. The proposed rules incorporate the requirements and 
procedures developed and implemented during the pilot phase of the 
program.

DATES: To be ensured of consideration, written comments must be 
received on or before February 16, 2016.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent by electronic mail message over the 
Internet addressed to: LSCCPComments@uspto.gov. Comments may also be 
submitted by mail addressed to: Mail Stop OED--Law School Rules, United 
States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia 
22313-1450, marked to the attention of William R. Covey, Deputy General 
Counsel for Enrollment and Discipline and Director of the Office of 
Enrollment and Discipline.
    Comments may also be sent by electronic mail message over the 
Internet via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. See the Federal 
eRulemaking Portal Web site (https://www.regulations.gov) 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 sharing comments with the public is more easily 
accomplished. 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.
    Comments will be made available for public inspection at the Office 
of Enrollment and Discipline, located on the 8th Floor of the Madison 
West Building, 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, Virginia. Comments also 
will be available for viewing via the Office's Internet Web site 
(https://www.uspto.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: William R. Covey, Deputy General 
Counsel for Enrollment and Discipline and Director of the Office of 
Enrollment and Discipline, by telephone at 571-272-4097.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Executive Summary

A. Purpose of the Regulatory Action

    The proposed changes to part 11 aim to comply with the rulemaking 
requirement imposed by Public Law 113-227 (Dec. 16, 2014). This law 
requires the USPTO Director to establish regulations and procedures for 
application to and participation in the USPTO Law School Clinic 
Certification Program. This law removed the ``pilot'' status of the 
USPTO's law school clinic certification program. The program allows 
students enrolled in a participating law school's clinic to practice 
patent and trademark law before the USPTO by drafting, filing, and 
prosecuting patent or trademark applications, or both, on a pro bono 
basis for clients that qualify for assistance from the law school's 
clinic. The program provides law students enrolled in a participating 
clinic the opportunity to practice patent and trademark law before the 
USPTO under the direct supervision of a faculty clinic supervisor. In 
this way, these student practitioners gain valuable experience 
drafting, filing, and prosecuting patent and trademark applications 
that would otherwise be unavailable to students while in law school. 
The program also facilitates the provision of pro bono services to 
trademark and patent applicants that lack the financial resources to 
pay for legal representation. The proposed rules incorporate the 
requirements and procedures developed and implemented during the pilot 
phase of the program.

B. Summary of the Major Provisions of the Regulatory Action in Question

    This NPRM proposes rules in 37 CFR 11.16 and 11.17 to formalize the 
process by which law schools, law school faculty, and law school 
students may participate in the USPTO Law School Clinic Certification 
Program.
Discussion of Specific Rules
    The USPTO proposes to amend Sec.  11.1 to clarify the definition of 
``attorney'' or ``lawyer'' to reflect the current practice of requiring 
attorneys to be active members, in good standing, of the highest court 
of any State, and otherwise eligible to practice law. The term 
``State'' is elsewhere defined in Sec.  11.1 to mean any of the 50 
states of the United States of America, the District of Columbia, and 
any Commonwealth or territory of the United States of America.
    The USPTO also proposes to amend the term ``practitioner'' to 
specifically include those students allowed to participate in the USPTO 
Law School Clinic Certification Program. The mechanism by which such 
students are allowed to participate is through a grant of limited 
recognition. Once granted limited recognition, such students are deemed 
practitioners and, as such, are subject to the USPTO Rules of 
Professional Conduct. By definition, only ``practitioners'' may 
represent others before the office. Law school students who are not 
participating in the USPTO Law School Clinic Certification Program may 
not practice before the USPTO, unless otherwise authorized to do so.
    The USPTO proposes to add Sec. Sec.  11.16 and 11.17, currently 
reserved, to establish the regulatory framework for the Law School 
Clinic Certification Program.
    Section 11.16 would establish the criteria for admission to, and 
continuing participation in, the USPTO Law School Clinic Certification 
Program, the qualifications necessary for approval as

[[Page 78156]]

a Faculty Clinic Supervisor, and the requirements for granting limited 
recognition to law school students. Schools participating in the 
program as of the date the final rule is published will not be required 
to reapply for admission but must apply for renewal at such time as the 
OED Director establishes. These criteria, deadlines for admission, and 
any ancillary requirements, will be published in a bulletin on the 
Office of Enrollment and Discipline's law school clinic Web page.
    Section 11.16(a) would describe the purpose of the program.
    Section 11.16(b) would establish rules regarding applying for, and 
renewing, admission to the program. Law schools enrolled in the program 
on the effective date of these rules would be grandfathered into the 
program and would not be required to submit a new application. Law 
schools no longer participating in the program on the effective date, 
however, would be required to reapply for admission. Although not 
required to reapply for admission, participating law schools seeking to 
add a practice area (i.e., patents or trademarks) would be required to 
submit an application for such practice area. This section would 
establish that all law schools would be required to submit a renewal 
application on a biennial basis.
    Section 11.16(c) would specify that Faculty Clinic Supervisors are 
subject to the USPTO Rules of Professional Conduct, including those 
governing supervisory practitioners. See e.g., 37 CFR 11.501 and 
11.502. As such, Faculty Clinic Supervisors, as well as the respective 
law school deans, are responsible for ensuring their schools have 
established a process that identifies conflicts of interest.
    Generally, the OED Director makes a determination regarding a 
proposed Faculty Clinic Supervisor's eligibility as part of the process 
of considering a law school's application for admission to the program. 
The OED Director may also make a determination whether to approve an 
additional, or a replacement, supervisor for one or more schools that 
have already been admitted to the program. In determining whether a 
Faculty Clinic Supervisor candidate possesses the number of years of 
experience required by paragraphs (c)(1)(ii) and (c)(2)(ii), the OED 
Director will measure the duration of experience from the date of the 
candidate's request for approval. Any additional criteria established 
by the OED Director, as set forth in paragraphs (c)(1)(v) and 
(c)(2)(v), will be published in a bulletin on the Office of Enrollment 
and Discipline's law school clinic Web page.
    Each practice area must be led by a fully-qualified, USPTO-
approved, Faculty Clinic Supervisor for that practice area. Provided 
that they are approved by the USPTO, a law school's clinic may include 
a patent practice, a trademark practice, or both. The USPTO does not 
have a preference whether a law school includes both practice areas in 
one clinic or separates each discipline into its own clinic. For law 
school clinics approved to practice in both the patent and trademark 
practice areas, the USPTO may approve one individual to serve as a 
Faculty Clinic Supervisor for both practice areas, provided that the 
individual satisfies the USPTO's criteria to be both a Patent Faculty 
Clinic Supervisor and a Trademark Faculty Clinic Supervisor.
    Section 11.16(d) would provide the rules for providing limited 
recognition to students for the purpose of practicing before the USPTO. 
It would provide that registered patent agents, and attorneys enrolled 
in a Master of Laws (L.L.M.) program, who wish to participate in a 
clinic must abide by the same rules and procedures as other students in 
the program.
    Section 11.17 would establish rules concerning the continuing 
obligations of schools participating in the USPTO Law School Clinic 
Certification Program and specify those circumstances that may result 
in inactivation or removal of a school from the program.
    Section 11.17(a) would restate the requirement in Public Law 113-
227 that services rendered under the program will be provided on a pro-
bono basis.
    Section 11.17(b) would establish procedures for law schools to 
report their program activities to the USPTO.
    Section 11.17(c) would establish procedures for inactivating a law 
school clinic. Inactive law schools are still considered by the USPTO 
to be ``participating'' in the program.
    Section 11.17(d) would establish procedures for removing a law 
school from the program and would explain the obligations of student 
practitioners in such event.

Rulemaking Considerations

    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 
(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 USPTO, however, is publishing these proposed rule 
changes for comment as it seeks the benefit of the public's views.
    Regulatory Flexibility Act: The Deputy General Counsel, United 
States Patent and Trademark Office, has certified to the Chief Counsel 
for Advocacy, Small Business Administration, that the proposed changes 
in this rulemaking will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities (Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 
U.S.C. 605(b)). The USPTO Law School Clinic Certification Program is 
voluntary. Law schools, clinics, and clients may elect whether to 
participate in the program, and receive the benefits thereof. The 
primary effect of this rulemaking is not economic, but simply to 
formalize the requirements and procedures developed and implemented 
during the pilot phase of the program. The rulemaking proposes certain 
basic quarterly reporting requirements by participating law school 
clinics in order to provide information to the Office pertaining to the 
quality and use of their pro bono services. The information required 
for the report should be readily available to participating law school 
clinics and present a minimal administrative burden. Additionally, the 
Office currently has 47 participating law school clinics, and it is 
expected that this number may increase slightly. Accordingly, this 
reporting requirement and the rulemaking will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

[[Page 78157]]

    Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review): This 
rulemaking has been determined to be not significant for purposes of 
Executive Order 12866 (September 30, 1993).
    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.
    Executive Order 13132: This rulemaking does not contain policies 
with federalism implications sufficient to warrant preparation of a 
Federalism Assessment under Executive Order 13132 (August 4, 1999).
    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).
    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).
    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).
    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).
    Executive Order 12630 (Taking of Private Property): This rulemaking 
will not effect a taking of private property or otherwise have taking 
implications under Executive Order 12630 (Mar. 15, 1988).
    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 
United States Patent and Trademark Office will submit a report 
containing the final rule and other required information to the U.S. 
Senate, the U.S. 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).
    Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995: The changes in this 
rulemaking 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 necessary under the 
provisions of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995. See 2 U.S.C. 
1501 et seq.
    National Environmental Policy Act: This rulemaking will not have 
any effect on the quality of environment and is thus categorically 
excluded from review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969. See 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.
    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 which involve the use of 
technical standards.
    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 involves information collection requirements 
which are subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3549). 
New information will be collected and a new information collection 
request to authorize the collection of new information involved in this 
notice is being submitted to OMB under the title ``Law School Clinic 
Certification Program.'' The proposed collection will be available at 
the OMB's Information Collection Review Web site (www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain).
    In addition to the new items, this rulemaking action also seeks to 
associate the following item currently in a different OMB approved 
collection (0651-0012 Admission to Practice) with this proposed 
collection: Application by Student to Become a Participant in the 
Program (PTO-158LS). This transfer will consolidate all information 
collections relating to law student involvement in the Law School 
Clinic Certification Program into a single collection.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required 
to respond to, nor shall any 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 in 37 CFR Part 11

    Administrative practice and procedure, Inventions and patents, 
Lawyers, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, the United States Patent 
and Trademark Office proposes to amend 37 CFR part 11 as follows:

PART 11--REPRESENTATION OF OTHERS BEFORE THE UNITED STATES PATENT 
AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

0
1. The authority citation for part 11 is revised to read as follows:

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. 500; 15 U.S.C. 1123; 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(2), 32, 
41; Sec. 1, Pub. L. 113-227, 128 Stat. 2114.
0
2. In Sec.  11.1, the definitions of ``Attorney or lawyer'' and 
``Practitioner'' are revised to read as follows:

[[Page 78158]]

Sec.  11.1  Definitions.

* * * * *
    Attorney or lawyer means an individual who is an active member in 
good standing of the bar of the highest court of any State. A non-
lawyer means a person who is not an attorney or lawyer.
* * * * *
    Practitioner means:
    (1) An attorney or agent registered to practice before the Office 
in patent matters;
    (2) An individual authorized under 5 U.S.C. 500(b), or otherwise as 
provided by Sec.  11.14(a), (b), and (c), to practice before the Office 
in trademark matters or other non-patent matters;
    (3) An individual authorized to practice before the Office in a 
patent case or matters under Sec.  11.9(a) or (b); or
    (4) An individual authorized to practice before the Office under 
Sec.  11.16(d).
* * * * *
0
3. Add Sec.  11.16 to read as follows:


Sec.  11.16  Requirements for admission to the USPTO Law School Clinic 
Certification Program.

    (a) The USPTO Law School Clinic Certification Program allows 
students enrolled in a participating law school's clinic to practice 
before the Office in patent or trademark matters by drafting, filing, 
and prosecuting patent or trademark applications on a pro bono basis 
for clients that qualify for assistance from the law school's clinic. 
All law schools accredited by the American Bar Association are eligible 
for participation in the program, and shall be examined for acceptance 
using identical criteria.
    (b) Application for admission and renewal. (1) Application for 
admission. Non-participating law schools seeking admission to the USPTO 
Law School Clinic Certification Program, and participating law schools 
seeking to add a practice area, shall submit an application for 
admission for such practice area to the Office of Enrollment and 
Discipline in accordance with criteria and time periods set forth by 
the OED Director.
    (2) Renewal application. Each participating law school desiring to 
continue in the USPTO Law School Clinic Certification Program shall, 
biennially from a date assigned to the law school by the OED Director, 
submit a renewal application to the Office of Enrollment and Discipline 
in accordance with criteria set forth by the OED Director.
    (3) The OED Director may refuse admission or renewal of a law 
school to the USPTO Law School Clinic Certification Program if the OED 
Director determines that admission, or renewal, of the law school would 
fail to provide significant benefit to the public or the law students 
participating in the law school's clinic.
    (c) Faculty Clinic Supervisor. Any law school seeking admission to 
or participating in the USPTO Law School Clinic Certification Program 
must have at least one Faculty Clinic Supervisor for the patent 
practice area, if the clinic includes patent practice; and at least one 
Faculty Clinic Supervisor for the trademark practice area, if the 
clinic includes trademark practice.
    (1) Patent Faculty Clinic Supervisor. A Faculty Clinic Supervisor 
for a law school clinic's patent practice must:
    (i) Be a registered patent practitioner in active status and good 
standing with the Office of Enrollment and Discipline;
    (ii) Demonstrate at least 3 years experience in prosecuting patent 
applications before the Office within the 5 years immediately prior to 
the request for approval as a Faculty Clinic Supervisor;
    (iii) Assume full responsibility for the instruction and guidance 
of law students participating in the law school clinic's patent 
practice;
    (iv) Assume full responsibility for all patent applications and 
legal services, including filings with the Office, produced by the 
clinic; and
    (v) Comply with all additional criteria established by the OED 
Director.
    (2) Trademark Faculty Clinic Supervisor. A Faculty Clinic 
Supervisor for a law school clinic's trademark practice must:
    (i) Be an attorney as defined in Sec.  11.1;
    (ii) Demonstrate at least 3 years experience in prosecuting 
trademark applications before the Office within the 5 years immediately 
prior to the date of the request for approval as a Faculty Clinic 
Supervisor;
    (iii) Assume full responsibility for the instruction, guidance, and 
supervision of law students participating in the law school clinic's 
trademark practice;
    (iv) Assume full responsibility for all trademark applications and 
legal services, including filings with the Office, produced by the 
clinic; and
    (v) Comply with all additional criteria established by the OED 
Director.
    (3) A Faculty Clinic Supervisor under paragraph (c) of this section 
must submit a statement:
    (i) Assuming responsibility for performing conflicts checks for 
each law student and client in the relevant clinic practice area;
    (ii) Assuming responsibility for student instruction and work, 
including instructing, mentoring, overseeing, and supervising all 
participating law school students in the clinic's relevant practice 
area;
    (iii) Assuming responsibility for content and timeliness of all 
applications and documents submitted to the Office through the relevant 
practice area of the clinic;
    (iv) Assuming responsibility for all communications by clinic 
students to clinic clients in the relevant clinic practice area;
    (v) Assuming responsibility for ensuring that there is no gap in 
representation of clinic clients in the relevant practice area during 
student turnover, school schedule variations, inter-semester 
transitions, or other disruptions;
    (vi) Attesting to meeting the criteria of paragraph (c)(1) or (2) 
of this section based on relevant practice area of the clinic; and
    (vii) Attesting to all other criteria as established by the OED 
Director.
    (d) Limited recognition for law students participating in the USPTO 
Law School Clinic Certification Program. (1) The OED Director may grant 
limited recognition to practice before the Office in patent or 
trademark matters, or both, to law school students enrolled in a clinic 
of a law school that is participating in the USPTO Law School Clinic 
Certification Program upon submission and approval of an application by 
a law student to the Office of Enrollment and Discipline in accordance 
with criteria established by the OED Director.
    (2) In order to be granted limited recognition to practice before 
the Office in patent matters under the USPTO Law School Clinic 
Certification Program, a law student must:
    (i) Be enrolled in a law school that is an active participant in 
the USPTO Law School Clinic Certification Program;
    (ii) Be enrolled in the patent practice area of a clinic of the 
participating law school;
    (iii) Have successfully completed at least one year of law school 
or the equivalent;
    (iv) Have read the USPTO Rules of Professional Conduct and the 
relevant rules of practice and procedure for patent matters;
    (v) Be supervised by an approved Faculty Clinic Supervisor pursuant 
to paragraph (c)(1) of this section;
    (vi) Be certified by the dean of the participating law school, or 
one authorized to act for the dean, as: having completed the first year 
of law school or the equivalent, being in compliance with the law 
school's ethics code, and being of good moral character and reputation;

[[Page 78159]]

    (vii) Neither ask for nor receive any fee or compensation of any 
kind for legal services from a clinic client on whose behalf service is 
rendered;
    (viii) Have proved to the satisfaction of the OED Director that he 
or she possesses the scientific and technical qualifications necessary 
for him or her to render patent applicants valuable service; and
    (ix) Comply with all additional criteria established by the OED 
Director.
    (3) In order to be granted limited recognition to practice before 
the Office in trademark matters under the USPTO Law School Clinic 
Certification Program, a law student must:
    (i) Be enrolled in a law school that is an active participant in 
the USPTO Law School Clinic Certification Program;
    (ii) Be enrolled in the trademark practice area of a clinic of the 
participating law school;
    (iii) Have successfully completed at least one year of law school 
or the equivalent;
    (iv) Have read the USPTO Rules of Professional Conduct and the 
relevant USPTO rules of practice and procedure for trademark matters;
    (v) Be supervised by an approved Faculty Clinic Supervisor pursuant 
to paragraph (c)(2) of this section;
    (vi) Be certified by the dean of the participating law school, or 
one authorized to act for the dean, as: having completed the first year 
of law school or the equivalent, being in compliance with the law 
school's ethics code, and being of good moral character and reputation;
    (vii) Neither ask for nor receive any fee or compensation of any 
kind for legal services from a clinic client on whose behalf service is 
rendered; and
    (viii) Comply with all additional criteria established by the OED 
Director.
    (4) Students registered to practice before the Office in patent 
matters as a patent agent, or authorized to practice before the Office 
in trademark matters under Sec.  11.14, must complete and submit a 
student application pursuant to paragraph (d)(1) of this section and 
meet the criteria of paragraph (d)(2) or (3) of this section, as 
applicable, in order to participate in the program.
0
4. Add Sec.  11.17 to read as follows:


Sec.  11.17  Requirements for participation in the USPTO Law School 
Clinic Certification Program.

    (a) Each law school participating in the USPTO Law School Clinic 
Certification Program must provide its patent and/or trademark services 
on a pro bono basis for clients that qualify for assistance from the 
law school's clinic.
    (b) Each law school participating in the USPTO Law School Clinic 
Certification Program shall, on a quarterly basis, provide the Office 
of Enrollment and Discipline with a report regarding its clinic 
activity, which shall include:
    (1) The number of law students participating in each of the patent 
and trademark practice areas of the school's clinic in the preceding 
quarter;
    (2) The number of faculty participating in each of the patent and 
trademark practice areas of the school's clinic in the preceding 
quarter;
    (3) The number of consultations provided to persons who requested 
assistance from the law school clinic in the preceding quarter;
    (4) The number of client representations undertaken for each of the 
patent and trademark practice areas of the school's clinic in the 
preceding quarter;
    (5) The identity and number of applications and responses filed in 
each of the patent and/or trademark practice areas of the school's 
clinic in the preceding quarter;
    (6) The number of patents issued, or trademarks registered, to 
clients of the clinic in the preceding quarter; and
    (7) All other information specified by the OED Director.
    (c) Inactivation of law schools participating in the USPTO Law 
School Certification Program.
    (1) The OED Director may inactivate a patent and/or trademark 
practice area of a participating law school:
    (i) If the participating law school does not have an approved 
Faculty Clinic Supervisor for the relevant practice area, as described 
in Sec.  11.16(c);
    (ii) If the participating law school does not meet each of the 
requirements and criteria for participation in the USPTO Law School 
Clinic Certification Program as set forth in Sec.  11.16, this section, 
or as otherwise established by the OED Director; or
    (iii) For other good cause as determined by the OED Director.
    (2) In the event that a practice area of a participating school is 
inactivated, the participating law school students must:
    (i) Immediately cease all student practice before the Office in the 
relevant practice area and notify each client of such; and
    (ii) Disassociate themselves from all client matters relating to 
practice before the Office in the relevant practice area, including 
complying with Office and State rules for withdrawal from 
representation.
    (3) A patent or trademark practice area of a law school clinic that 
has been inactivated may be restored to active status, upon application 
to and approval by the OED Director.
    (d) Removal of law schools participating in the USPTO Law School 
Clinic Certification Program. (1) The OED Director may remove a patent 
and/or trademark practice area of the clinic of a law school 
participating in the USPTO Law School Clinic Certification Program:
    (i) Upon request from the law school;
    (ii) If the participating law school does not meet each of the 
requirements and criteria for participation in the USPTO Law School 
Clinic Certification Program as set forth in Sec.  11.16, this section, 
or as otherwise established by the OED Director; or
    (iii) For other good cause as determined by the OED Director.
    (2) In the event that a practice area of a participating school is 
removed by the OED Director, the participating law school students 
must:
    (i) Immediately cease all student practice before the Office in the 
relevant practice area and notify the client of such; and
    (ii) Disassociate themselves from all client matters relating to 
practice before the Office in the relevant practice area, including 
complying with Office and State rules for withdrawal from 
representation.
    (3) A school that has been removed from participation in the USPTO 
Law School Clinic Certification Program under this section may reapply 
to the program in compliance with Sec.  11.16.

    Dated: December 8, 2015.
Michelle K. Lee,
Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of 
the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
[FR Doc. 2015-31627 Filed 12-15-15; 8:45 am]
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