Facilitating the Use of WIPO's ePCT System To Prepare International Applications for Filing With the United States Receiving Office, 5362-5366 [2020-01765]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
• Patent and Trademark Office

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 20 (Thursday, January 30, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5362-5366]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-01765]



[[Page 5362]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Patent and Trademark Office

37 CFR Part 5

[Docket No. PTO-P-2019-0033]
RIN 0651-AD43


Facilitating the Use of WIPO's ePCT System To Prepare 
International Applications for Filing With the United States Receiving 
Office

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

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or 
Office) is proposing to amend the foreign filing license rules to 
facilitate use of ePCT (a World Intellectual Property Organization 
(WIPO) online web-based service) to prepare an international 
application for filing with the USPTO in its capacity as a Receiving 
Office under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT). ePCT offers many 
benefits to users, including real time up-to-date validation features 
to help users properly complete the PCT Request. ePCT resides on WIPO's 
servers abroad and is accessed via an internet browser on the user's 
system. While the current foreign filing license rules would authorize 
the export of technical data to ePCT for purposes of preparing an 
international application for filing in a foreign PCT Receiving Office, 
the current rules do not authorize the export of technical data to ePCT 
for purposes of preparing an international application for filing with 
the USPTO as a Receiving Office. The USPTO is thus proposing to amend 
the foreign filing license rules to provide that a foreign filing 
license from the USPTO would authorize the export of technical data 
abroad for purposes relating to the use of ePCT to prepare an 
international application for filing with the USPTO in its capacity as 
a Receiving Office under the PCT.

DATES: Written comments must be received on or before March 30, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be sent by email addressed to: 
[email protected]. Comments also may 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 
Boris Milef, Senior Legal Examiner, International Patent Legal 
Administration.
    Comments further may be sent via the Federal eRulemaking Portal. 
Visit the Federal eRulemaking Portal website (https://www.regulations.gov) for additional instructions on providing comments 
via the Federal eRulemaking Portal.
    Although comments may be submitted by postal mail, the USPTO 
prefers to receive comments by email. Emailed 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 by email or via the Federal eRulemaking Portal 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 viewing via the USPTO's website 
(https://www.uspto.gov/patent/laws-and-regulations/comments-public-response-specific-requests-uspto). 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: Michael Neas, Deputy Director, 
International Patent Legal Administration, at (571) 272-3289, or Boris 
Milef, Senior Legal Examiner, International Patent Legal 
Administration, at (571) 272-3288.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Executive Summary: Purpose: The rules of practice in 37 CFR part 5 
are proposed to be amended to expand the scope of a foreign filing 
license from the USPTO to allow U.S. applicants to use WIPO's ePCT web-
based service to help prepare their international applications for 
filing with the USPTO acting as a PCT Receiving Office.
    Summary of Major Provisions: Under current 37 CFR 5.11(b), a 
foreign filing license from the Commissioner for Patents authorizes the 
export of technical data abroad for purposes relating to the 
preparation, filing or possible filing and prosecution of a foreign 
application, including an international application for filing in a PCT 
Receiving Office other than the USPTO acting as a Receiving Office. See 
37 CFR 5.1(b)(2). 37 CFR 5.11 does not authorize the export of 
technical data abroad for purposes relating to the preparation of an 
international application for filing with the USPTO acting as a 
Receiving Office. WIPO's ePCT web-based service, residing on servers 
abroad, offers many benefits to U.S. applicants seeking to prepare and 
file an international application with the USPTO as a Receiving Office, 
including real time up-to-date validation features to help applicants 
properly complete the PCT Request. The provisions of 37 CFR 5.11(b) are 
proposed to be amended to provide that a foreign filing license from 
the Commissioner for Patents would authorize the export of technical 
data abroad for purposes relating to the use of WIPO's online service 
for preparing an international application for filing with the USPTO as 
a Receiving Office.
    Costs and Benefits: This rulemaking is not economically significant 
under Executive Order 12866 (Sept. 30, 1993).
    Background: On June 1, 2016, the United States Receiving Office 
(RO/US) began accepting international applications filed electronically 
with zip files created by the World Intellectual Property 
Organization's (WIPO) online service, ePCT. See Use of WIPO's ePCT 
System for Preparing the PCT Request for Filing as Part of an 
International Application with the USPTO as Receiving Office, 81 FR 
27417 (May 6, 2016). ePCT is a web-based service that provides for 
electronic filing of international applications with certain PCT 
Receiving Offices and includes validation features to help users 
properly complete the PCT Request. ePCT also provides for secure 
electronic access, file management, and document submissions for 
international applications held by the International Bureau (IB). ePCT 
is accessed via an internet browser on the user's system, and all 
information input into ePCT is stored securely on WIPO's servers. 
Detailed information on ePCT can be found at https://pct.eservices.wipo.int/direct.aspx?T=EN&UG=4.
    WIPO also makes available and maintains PCT Secure Applications 
Filed Electronically (PCT-SAFE) software, which must be installed on 
the user's system. Both PCT-SAFE and ePCT include validation features 
to help users properly complete the PCT Request. Since the PCT-SAFE 
validation can only be made against the version of the software 
installed on the user's system, the most up-to-date version of PCT-SAFE 
is required in order to ensure accurate validation. In contrast to PCT-
SAFE, validation in the ePCT system is made in real time and does not 
require software updates. Furthermore, like PCT-SAFE, the zip file 
generated by ePCT, which contains a PCT Request in character coded 
format, also entitles the applicant to the same reduction in 
international filing fees as indicated in item 4(b) of the PCT Schedule 
of Fees (https://www.wipo.int/pct/en/texts/rules/rtax.htm#_S). The use 
of the ePCT zip file would still require all other documents and 
application parts to be prepared and loaded

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separately in EFS-Web for filing of the international application.
    By using ePCT, an international application will be associated with 
the user's ePCT account, even before the application is filed, thereby 
allowing users to share access rights with others prior to filing, if 
needed. In addition, after the record copy is received by the IB, the 
application file may be viewed online via ePCT without the need to 
separately request access rights.
    Applicants who are residents and/or nationals of the United States 
and its territories can file international applications directly with 
the Receiving Office of the IB via ePCT or other means, provided that 
any national security provisions have been met prior to filing, 
including obtaining any required foreign filing license. See 37 CFR 
5.11 and MPEP 140. The current provisions of 37 CFR 5.11(b) authorize 
U.S. applicants having a foreign filing license to export technical 
data abroad to servers located outside the United States hosting ePCT 
to prepare international applications for filing with the IB as a 
Receiving Office, without having to separately comply with the 
regulations contained in 22 CFR parts 120 through 130 (International 
Traffic in Arms Regulations of the Department of State), 15 CFR parts 
730 through 774 (Export Administration Regulations of the Bureau of 
Industry and Security, Department of Commerce), and 10 CFR part 810 
(Assistance to Foreign Atomic Energy Activities Regulations of the 
Department of Energy). Id. The current provisions of 37 CFR 5.11(b), 
however, do not authorize the export of technical data to such servers 
for the purpose of preparing international applications for filing with 
the USPTO as a Receiving Office (RO/US). Applicants wishing to use ePCT 
to prepare an international application for filing with the RO/US 
currently must ensure compliance with the regulations set forth in 37 
CFR 5.11(b).
    The changes to the regulations proposed in this document would 
permit applicants having a foreign filing license from the USPTO to use 
ePCT to prepare an international application for filing with the RO/US 
without having to separately comply with the regulations set forth in 
37 CFR 5.11(b). In addition, the information that the USPTO collects 
from a PCT Request form electronically prepared via ePCT is the same 
information that it collects from the paper PCT Request form, which has 
been reviewed and previously approved by the Office of Management and 
Budget (OMB) under control number 0651-0021.

Discussion of Specific Rules

    The following is a discussion of proposed amendments to Title 37 of 
the Code of Federal Regulations, part 5.
    Section 5.1: Section 5.1(b)(2) is proposed to be amended to change 
the text ``foreign patent office, foreign patent agency, or 
international agency'' to ``foreign or international intellectual 
property authority,'' for consistency, as the term ``intellectual 
property authority'' is generally used in the patent statutes and other 
patent rules. See, e.g., 35 U.S.C. 111(c) and 119(b)(1) and (b)(3), and 
37 CFR 1.55, 1.57(a), and 1.76(b)(6).
    Section 5.11: Section 5.11(a) is proposed to be amended to change 
the text ``foreign patent office, foreign patent agency, or any 
international agency'' to ``foreign or international intellectual 
property authority,'' consistent with the change to Sec.  5.1(b)(2).
    Section 5.11(b) is proposed to be amended to provide that a license 
from the Commissioner of Patents under 35 U.S.C. 184 referred to in 
Sec.  5.11(a) (``foreign filing license'') would additionally authorize 
the export of technical data abroad for purposes relating to the use of 
a World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) online service for 
preparing an international application for filing with the USPTO as a 
Receiving Office (RO/US) under the Patent Cooperation Treaty.
    The proposed amendment would authorize applicants having a foreign 
filing license from the USPTO to use ePCT to prepare an international 
application for filing with the RO/US without having to separately 
comply with the regulations identified in Sec.  5.11(b), i.e., the 
regulations contained in 22 CFR parts 120 through 130 (International 
Traffic in Arms Regulations of the Department of State), 15 CFR parts 
730 through 774 (Export Administration Regulations of the Bureau of 
Industry and Security, Department of Commerce), and 10 CFR part 810 
(Assistance to Foreign Atomic Energy Activities Regulations of the 
Department of Energy).
    Section 5.11(e)(3) is proposed to be amended to change ``foreign 
patent application'' to ``foreign application'' for consistency with 
the definition of foreign application in Sec.  5.1(b)(2).
    Section 5.12: Section 5.12(a) is proposed to be amended to clarify 
that for an application on an invention made in the United States to be 
considered to include a petition for license under 35 U.S.C. 184, the 
application must be filed in the United States Patent and Trademark 
Office. An application that is filed abroad on an invention made in the 
United States but which comes to the United States for examination, for 
example, in the case of an international design application designating 
the United States that is filed abroad, would not be considered to 
include a petition for a foreign filing license. Where an application 
was filed abroad through error without the required license under Sec.  
5.11 first having been obtained, applicants should consider filing a 
petition for retroactive license under Sec.  5.25.
    Section 5.15: Section 5.15(a) is proposed to be amended for clarity 
to include a reference to Sec.  5.11(b) concerning the export of 
technical data. In addition, ``foreign patent agency or international 
patent agency'' is changed to ``foreign or international intellectual 
property authority.'' See discussion of Sec.  5.1(b)(2), supra. Section 
5.15(a) also is proposed to be amended to clarify that the grant of the 
license also covers material submitted under Sec.  5.13, where there is 
no corresponding U.S. application.
    Sections 5.15(b) and 5.15(e) are proposed to be amended consistent 
with the proposed amendments to Sec.  5.15(a).

Rulemaking Considerations

    A. Administrative Procedure Act: This document proposes changes to 
the rules of practice to facilitate use of WIPO's ePCT system to 
prepare international applications for filing with the United States 
Receiving Office. The changes being proposed in this document do not 
change the substantive criteria of patentability. These proposed 
changes involve rules of agency practice and procedure, and/or 
interpretive rules. See 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 
are procedural where they do not change the substantive standard for 
reviewing claims); 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).
    Accordingly, prior notice and opportunity for public comment for 
these proposed changes are not required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b) or 
(c) (or any other law). See 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

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organization, procedure, or practice'') (quoting 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A)). 
The USPTO, however, is publishing these proposed changes for comment as 
it seeks the benefit of the public's views on the USPTO's proposed 
implementation of the proposed rule changes.
    B. Regulatory Flexibility Act: For the reasons set forth herein, 
the Senior Counsel for Regulatory and Legislative Affairs in the Office 
of General Law of the United States Patent and Trademark Office has 
certified to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business 
Administration that changes proposed in this document will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
See 5 U.S.C. 605(b).
    The changes proposed in this document will facilitate use of WIPO's 
ePCT system to prepare international applications for filing with the 
United States Receiving Office and will apply to any entity, including 
a small or micro entity, that uses ePCT to prepare an international 
patent application under the PCT for filing with the RO/US. The changes 
proposed in this document will not result in a change in the burden 
imposed on any patent applicant, including a small entity.
    For the foregoing reasons, the changes proposed in this document 
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 (Sept. 30, 1993).
    D. Executive Order 13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory 
Review): The USPTO has complied with Executive Order 13563. 
Specifically, the USPTO 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 not expected to be an 
Executive Order 13771 regulatory action because the rule as proposed 
would not be significant under Executive Order 12866.
    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 
United States Patent and Trademark Office 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 document 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 document 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 document 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.
    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 involves information collection requirements 
which are subject to review by OMB under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3549). The collection of information involved in 
this rulemaking has been reviewed and previously approved by OMB under 
control number 0651-0021. This rulemaking does not impose any 
additional collection requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act 
which are subject to further review by OMB. The collections of 
information already approved under control number 0651-0021 support the 
actions proposed in

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this rulemaking. Therefore, no changes are required in the 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 5

    Classified information, Exports, Foreign relations, Inventions and 
patents.

    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 37 CFR part 5 is 
proposed to be amended as follows:

PART 5--SECRECY OF CERTAIN INVENTIONS AND LICENSES TO EXPORT AND 
FILE APPLICATIONS IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES

0
1. The authority citation for 37 CFR part 5 is revised to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(2), 41, 181-188, as amended by the 
Patent Law Foreign Filing Amendments Act of 1988, Pub. L. 100-418, 
102 Stat. 1567; the Arms Export Control Act, as amended, 22 U.S.C. 
2751 et seq.; the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 
2011 et seq.; the Nuclear Non Proliferation Act of 1978, 22 U.S.C. 
3201 et seq.; and the delegations in the regulations under these 
Acts to the Director (15 CFR 370.10(j), 22 CFR 125.04, and 10 CFR 
810.7).

0
2. Section 5.1 is amended by revising paragraph (b)(2) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  5.1  Applications and correspondence involving national security.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (2) Foreign application as used in this part includes, for filing 
in a foreign country or in a foreign or international intellectual 
property authority (other than the United States Patent and Trademark 
Office acting as a Receiving Office for international applications (35 
U.S.C. 361, 37 CFR 1.412) or as an office of indirect filing for 
international design applications (35 U.S.C. 382, 37 CFR 1.1002)) any 
of the following: An application for patent, international application, 
international design application, or application for the registration 
of a utility model, industrial design, or model.
* * * * *
0
3. Section 5.11 is amended by revising paragraphs (a), (b) and the 
introductory text of paragraph (e)(3) to read as follows:


Sec.  5.11  License for filing in, or exporting to, a foreign country 
an application on an invention made in the United States or technical 
data relating thereto.

    (a) A license from the Commissioner for Patents under 35 U.S.C. 184 
is required before filing any application for patent including any 
modifications, amendments, or supplements thereto or divisions thereof 
or for the registration of a utility model, industrial design, or 
model, in a foreign country or in a foreign or international 
intellectual property authority (other than the United States Patent 
and Trademark Office acting as a Receiving Office for international 
applications (35 U.S.C. 361, 37 CFR 1.412) or as an office of indirect 
filing for international design applications (35 U.S.C. 382, 37 CFR 
1.1002)), if the invention was made in the United States, and:
    (1) An application on the invention has been filed in the United 
States less than six months prior to the date on which the application 
is to be filed; or
    (2) No application on the invention has been filed in the United 
States.
    (b) The license from the Commissioner for Patents referred to in 
paragraph (a) of this section would also authorize the export of 
technical data abroad for purposes relating to (i) the preparation, 
filing or possible filing and prosecution of a foreign application and 
(ii) the use of a World Intellectual Property Organization online 
service for preparing an international application for filing with the 
United States Patent and Trademark Office acting as a Receiving Office 
(35 U.S.C. 361, 37 CFR 1.412) without separately complying with the 
regulations contained in 22 CFR parts 120 through 130 (International 
Traffic in Arms Regulations of the Department of State), 15 CFR parts 
730 through 774 (Export Administration Regulations of the Bureau of 
Industry and Security, Department of Commerce), and 10 CFR part 810 
(Assistance to Foreign Atomic Energy Activities Regulations of the 
Department of Energy).
* * * * *
    (e) * * *
    (3) For subsequent modifications, amendments and supplements 
containing additional subject matter to, or divisions of, a foreign 
application if:
* * * * *
0
4. Section 5.12 is amended by revising paragraph (a) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  5.12  Petition for license.

    (a) Filing of an application in the United States Patent and 
Trademark Office on an invention made in the United States will be 
considered to include a petition for license under 35 U.S.C. 184 for 
the subject matter of the application. The filing receipt or other 
official notice will indicate if a license is granted. If the initial 
automatic petition is not granted, a subsequent petition may be filed 
under paragraph (b) of this section.
* * * * *
0
5. Section 5.15 is amended by revising the introductory text of 
paragraph (a) and paragraphs (a)(1), (b) and (e) to read as follows:


Sec.  5.15  Scope of license.

    (a) Applications or other materials reviewed pursuant to Sec. Sec.  
5.12 through 5.14, which were not required to be made available for 
inspection by defense agencies under 35 U.S.C. 181, will be eligible 
for a license of the scope provided in this paragraph. This license 
permits subsequent modifications, amendments, and supplements 
containing additional subject matter to, or divisions of, a foreign 
application, if such changes to the application do not alter the 
general nature of the invention in a manner that would require the 
United States application to have been made available for inspection 
under 35 U.S.C. 181. Grant of this license authorizes the export of 
technical data pursuant to Sec.  5.11(b) and the filing of an 
application in a foreign country or to any foreign or international 
intellectual property authority when the technical data and the subject 
matter of the foreign application corresponds to that of the 
application or other materials reviewed pursuant to Sec. Sec.  5.12 
through 5.14 upon which the license was granted. This license includes 
authority:
    (1) To export and file all duplicate and formal application papers 
in foreign countries or with foreign or international intellectual 
property authorities;
* * * * *
    (b) Applications or other materials which were required to be made 
available for inspection under 35 U.S.C. 181 will be eligible for a 
license of the scope provided in this paragraph. Grant of this license 
authorizes the export of technical data pursuant to Sec.  5.11(b) and 
the filing of an application in a foreign country or to any foreign or 
international intellectual property authority. Further, this license 
includes authority to export and file all duplicate and formal papers 
in foreign countries or with foreign or international intellectual 
property authorities and to make amendments, modifications, and 
supplements to, file divisions of, and take any action in the 
prosecution of the foreign application, provided subject

[[Page 5366]]

matter additional to that covered by the license is not involved.
* * * * *
    (e) Any paper filed abroad or transmitted to a foreign or 
international intellectual property authority following the filing of a 
foreign application that changes the general nature of the subject 
matter disclosed at the time of filing in a manner that would require 
such application to have been made available for inspection under 35 
U.S.C. 181 or that involves the disclosure of subject matter listed in 
paragraph (a)(3)(i) or (ii) of this section must be separately licensed 
in the same manner as a foreign application. Further, if no license has 
been granted under Sec.  5.12(a) on filing the corresponding United 
States application, any paper filed abroad or with a foreign or 
international intellectual property authority that involves the 
disclosure of additional subject matter must be licensed in the same 
manner as a foreign application.
* * * * *

    Dated: January 21, 2020.
Andrei Iancu,
Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of 
the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
[FR Doc. 2020-01765 Filed 1-29-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-16-P