Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Program, 20123-20126 [2021-07857]

Download as PDF 20123 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 72 / Friday, April 16, 2021 / Notices TABLE 2—TOTAL HOURLY BURDEN FOR INDIVIDUALS OR HOUSEHOLDS RESPONDENTS Item No. Estimated annual respondents Item 1 ........................... 2 ........................... Total .............. Trademark Assignment System (ETAS) (PTO–1594). Patent Assignment System (EPAS) (PTO–1595). .................................................... Estimated annual responses (year) Estimated time for response (hour) Estimated annual burden (hours/year) Rate 2 ($/hour) Estimated annual burden (a) (b) (a) × (b) = (c) (d) (c) × (d) = (e) 23,989 23,989 0.5 (30 minutes) ......... 11,995 $273 $3,274,635 235,962 235,962 0.5 (30 minutes) ......... 117,981 273 32,208,813 259,951 259,951 ..................................... 129,976 ........................ 35,483,448 2 2019 Report of the Economic Survey, published by the Committee on Economics of Legal Practice of the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA); https://www.aipla.org/detail/journal-issue/2019-report-of-the-economic-survey. The USPTO uses the mean rate for attorneys in private firms which is $400 per hour. The hourly rate for paraprofessional/paralegals is estimated at $145 from data published in the 2018 Utilization and Compensation Survey by the National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA); https://www.nala.org/paralegals/research-and-survey-findings. The USPTO estimates that the combined rate for respondents will be approximately $273 per hour. Estimated Total Annual Cost Burden (Non-Hourly): $3,968,076. This information collection has annual (nonhour) costs in the form of filing fees and postage costs. Filing Fees The filing fee for submitting a nonelectronic patent assignment as indicated by 37 CFR 1.21(h) is $50 per property for recording each document, while the filing fee for submitting a trademark assignment as indicated by 37 CFR 2.6(b)(6) is $40.00 for recording the first property in a document and $25.00 for each additional property in the same document. The USPTO estimates that the average fee for a trademark assignment recordation request is approximately $65.00. Therefore, this information collection has an estimated total of $3,969,795 in filing fees per year. TABLE 3—FILING FEES Item No. Item Estimated cost Estimated non-hour cost burden (a) (b) (a) × (b) = (c) 1 ........................ 2 ........................ 4 ........................ Patent Recordation Form Cover Sheet (PTO–1595) ................................... Trademark Recordation Form Cover Sheet (PTO–1594) ............................ Electronic Trademark Assignment System (ETAS) (PTO–1594) ................ 1,351 1,050 58,923 $50 65 65 $67,550 68,250 3,829,995 .................... Total .............................................................................................................. ........................ ........................ 3,965,795 Postage Costs Customers may incur postage costs when submitting a patent or trademark assignment request to the USPTO by mail. The Patent and Trademark Recordation Cover Sheets can be submitted by mail, for a total of 2,401 mailed submissions. The average postage cost for a mailed Patent or Trademark Recordation Form Cover Sheet is $0.95, resulting in a total postage cost of $2,281 per year for this information collection. IV. Request for Comments jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES Estimated annual responses The USPTO is soliciting public comments to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the Agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:57 Apr 15, 2021 Jkt 253001 including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. All comments submitted in response to this notice are a matter of public record. USPTO will include or summarize each comment in the request to OMB to approve this information collection. Before including an address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in a comment, be aware that the entire comment—including personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask in your comment to PO 00000 Frm 00010 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 withhold personal identifying information from public view, USPTO cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so. Kimberly Hardy, Information Collections Officer, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, United States Patent and Trademark Office. [FR Doc. 2021–07854 Filed 4–15–21; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–16–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Patent and Trademark Office Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Program United States Patent and Trademark Office, Department of Commerce. AGENCY: E:\FR\FM\16APN1.SGM 16APN1 20124 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 72 / Friday, April 16, 2021 / Notices Notice of information collection; request for comment. ACTION: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on the extension and revision of an existing information collection: 0651–0058 (Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Program). The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment preceding submission of the information collection to OMB. DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this information collection must be received on or before June 15, 2021. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments by any of the following methods. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information: • Email: InformationCollection@ uspto.gov. Include ‘‘0651–0058 comment’’ in the subject line of the message. • Federal Rulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. • Mail: Kimberly Hardy, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313– 1450. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Request for additional information should be directed to Parikha Mehta, Patent Examination Policy Advisor, Office of Patent Legal Administration, United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313–1450; by telephone at 571–272– 3248; or by email to Parikha.Mehta@ USPTO.GOV. Additional information about this information collection is also available at https://www.reginfo.gov under ‘‘Information Collection Review.’’ SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: I. Abstract The Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) is a framework in which an application whose claims have been determined to be patentable by an Office of Earlier Examination (OEE) is eligible to go through an accelerated examination in an Office of Later Examination (OLE) with a simple procedure upon an applicant’s request. By leveraging the search and examination work product of the OEE, PPH programs (1) deliver lower prosecution costs, (2) support applicants in their efforts to obtain stable patent rights efficiently around the world, and (3) reduce the search and examination burden, while improving the VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:57 Apr 15, 2021 Jkt 253001 examination quality, of participating patent offices. Originally, the PPH programs were limited to the utilization of search and examination results of national applications between cross filings under the Paris Convention. Later, the potential of the PPH was greatly expanded by Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)-PPH programs, which permit participating patent offices to draw upon the positive results of the PCT work product from another participating office. PCT-PPH programs use international written opinions and international preliminary examination reports developed within the framework of the PCT, thereby making the PPH available to a larger number of applicants. Information collected for the PCT is approved under the USPTO information collection, 0651–0021 (Patent Cooperation Treaty). More recently, the USPTO and several other offices acted to consolidate and replace existing PPH programs, with the goal of streamlining the PPH process for both offices and applicants. To that end, the USPTO and other offices established the Global PPH pilot program and the IP5 PPH pilot program. Both the Global PPH and the IP5 PPH pilot programs are running concurrently and are substantially identical, differing only with regard to their respective participating offices. The USPTO is participating in both the Global PPH pilot program and the IP5 PPH pilot program. For USPTO applications, the Global PPH and IP5 PPH pilot programs supersede any prior PPH program between the USPTO and each Global PPH and IP5 PPH participating office. Any existing PPH programs between the USPTO and offices that are not participating in either the Global PPH pilot program or the IP5 PPH pilot program remain in effect. This information collection covers data gathered through the Request for Participation in the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Pilot Program, which the public uses to request an accelerated examination within the PPH provisions. II. Method of Collection Items in this information collection must be submitted electronically. III. Data OMB Control Number: 0651–0058. Form Numbers: (SB = Specimen Book) • PTO/SB/20GLBL (Request for Participation in the Global/IP5 PPH Pilot Program in the USPTO) • PTO/SB/20BR (Request for Participation in the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Pilot PO 00000 Frm 00011 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Program Between the Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) and the USPTO) • PTO/SB/20CA (Request for Participation in the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Pilot Program Between the Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic (IPOCZ) and the USPTO) • PTO/SB/20MX (Request for Participation in the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Pilot Program Between the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (TMPI) and the USPTO) • PTO/SB/20NI (Request for Participation in the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Pilot Program Between the Nicaraguan Registry of Intellectual Property (NRIP) and the USPTO) • PTO/SB/20PH (Request for Participation in the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Pilot Program Between the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPH) and the USPTO) • PTO/SB/20RO (Request for Participation in the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Pilot Program Between the Romanian State Office of Inventions and Trademarks (OSIM) and the USPTO) • PTO/SB/20SA (Request for Participation in the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Pilot Program between the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (SAIP) and the USPTO) • PTO/SB/20TW (Request for Participation in the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Pilot Program Between the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO) and the USPTO) Type of Review: Extension and revision of a currently approved information collection. Affected Public: Private sector; individuals or households. Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,567 respondents per year. Estimated Number of Responses: 7,090 responses per year. Estimated Time per Response: The USPTO estimates that it will take the public approximately 2 hours to complete a response. This includes the time to gather the necessary information, create the documents, and submit the completed item to the USPTO. Estimated Total Annual Respondent Burden Hours: 14,180 hours. Estimated Total Annual Respondent Hourly Cost Burden: $5,672,000. E:\FR\FM\16APN1.SGM 16APN1 20125 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 72 / Friday, April 16, 2021 / Notices TABLE 1—TOTAL HOURLY BURDEN FOR PRIVATE SECTOR RESPONDENTS Item No. 1 ......... 2 ......... 3 ......... 4 ......... 5 ......... 6 ......... 7 ......... 8 ......... 9 ......... Estimated annual respondents Item Estimated annual responses (year) Estimated time for response (hours) Estimated annual burden (hour/year) Rate 1 ($/hour) Estimated annual burden (a) (b) (a) × (b) = (c) (d) (c) × (d) = (e) Request for Participation in the Global/IP5 PPH Pilot Program in the USPTO (PTO/SB/20GLBL). Request for Participation in the PPH Program Between the Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) and the USPTO (PTO/SB/20BR). Request for Participation in the PPH Program Between the Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic (IPOCZ) and the USPTO (PTO/SB/20CZ). Request for Participation in the PPH Program Between the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (TMPI) and the USPTO (PTO/SB/20MX). Request for Participation in the PPH Program Between the Nicaraguan Registry of Intellectual Property (NRIP) and the USPTO (PTO/SB/20NI). Request for Participation in the PPH Program Between the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPH) and the USPTO (PTO/SB/20PH). Request for Participation in the PPH Program Between the Romanian State Office of Inventions and Trademarks (OSIM) and the USPTO (PTO/SB/20RO). Request for Participation in the PPH Program between the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (SAIP) and the USPTO (PTO/SB/20SA). Request for Participation in the PPH Program Between the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO) and the USPTO (PTO/SB/20TW). 3,255 6,510 *2 13,020 $400 $5,208,000 9 9 *2 18 400 7,200 4 4 *2 8 400 3,200 4 4 *2 8 400 3,200 4 4 *2 8 400 3,200 4 4 *2 8 400 3,200 4 4 *2 8 400 3,200 4 4 *2 8 400 3,200 23 46 *2 92 400 36,800 Total ................................................................................... 3,311 6,589 .................... 13,178 .................... 5,271,200 * (120 minutes). 1 2019 Report of the Economic Survey from the Law Practice Management Committee of the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA). https:// www.aipla.org/detail/journal-issue/2019-report-of-the-economic-survey. TABLE 2—TOTAL HOURLY BURDEN FOR INDIVIDUALS OR HOUSEHOLDS RESPONDENTS Item No. 1 ......... 2 ......... 3 ......... 4 ......... 5 ......... 6 ......... 7 ......... 8 ......... jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES 9 ......... Estimated annual respondents Item Estimated annual responses (year) Estimated time for response (hours) Estimated annual burden (hour/year) Rate 2 ($/hour) Estimated annual burden (a) (b) (a) × (b) = (c) (d) (c) × (d) = (e) Request for Participation in the Global/IP5 PPH Pilot Program in the USPTO (PTO/SB/20GLBL). Request for Participation in the PPH Program Between the Brazilian National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) and the USPTO (PTO/SB/20BR). Request for Participation in the PPH Program Between the Industrial Property Office of the Czech Republic (IPOCZ) and the USPTO (PTO/SB/20CZ). Request for Participation in the PPH Program Between the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (TMPI) and the USPTO (PTO/SB/20MX). Request for Participation in the PPH Program Between the Nicaraguan Registry of Intellectual Property (NRIP) and the USPTO (PTO/SB/20NI). Request for Participation in the PPH Program Between the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPH) and the USPTO (PTO/SB/20PH). Request for Participation in the PPH Program Between the Romanian State Office of Inventions and Trademarks (OSIM) and the USPTO (PTO/SB/20RO). Request for Participation in the PPH Program between the Saudi Authority for Intellectual Property of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (SAIP) and the USPTO (PTO/SB/20SA). Request for Participation in the PPH Program Between the Taiwan Intellectual Property Office (TIPO) and the USPTO (PTO/SB/20TW). 245 490 *2 980 $400 $392,000 1 1 *2 2 400 800 1 1 *2 2 400 800 1 1 *2 2 400 800 1 1 *2 2 400 800 1 1 *2 2 400 800 1 1 *2 2 400 800 1 1 *2 2 400 800 4 4 *2 8 400 3,200 Total ................................................................................... 256 501 .................... 1,002 .................... 400,800 * (120 minutes). 2 2019 Report of the Economic Survey from the Law Practice Management Committee of the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA). https:// www.aipla.org/detail/journal-issue/2019-report-of-the-economic-survey VerDate Sep<11>2014 19:57 Apr 15, 2021 Jkt 253001 PO 00000 Frm 00012 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\16APN1.SGM 16APN1 20126 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 72 / Friday, April 16, 2021 / Notices Estimated Total Annual (Non-hour) Respondent Cost Burden: $0.00. There are no filing fees or start-up, maintenance, recordkeeping, or postage costs associated with this information collection. Respondent’s Obligation: Required to obtain or retain benefits. IV. Request for Comments The USPTO is soliciting public comments to: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency’s estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; and (d) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses. All comments submitted in response to this notice are a matter of public record. USPTO will include or summarize each comment in the request to OMB to approve this information collection. Before including an address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in a comment, be aware that the entire comment— including personal identifying information—may be made publicly available at any time. While you may ask in your comment to withhold personal identifying information from public view, USPTO cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so. Kimberly Hardy, Information Collections Officer, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, United States Patent and Trademark Office. jbell on DSKJLSW7X2PROD with NOTICES [FR Doc. 2021–07857 Filed 4–15–21; 8:45 am] 19:57 Apr 15, 2021 Patent and Trademark Office Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Public Search Facility User ID and Badging United States Patent and Trademark Office, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment. AGENCY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on the extension and revision of an existing information collection: 0651–0041 (Public Search Facility User ID and Badging). The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment preceding submission of the information collection to OMB. DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this information collection must be received on or before June 15, 2021. ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments by any of the following methods. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information: • Email: InformationCollection@ uspto.gov. Include ‘‘0651–0041 comment’’ in the subject line of the message. • Federal Rulemaking Portal: https:// www.regulations.gov. • Mail: Kimberly Hardy, Office of the Chief Administrative 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 Terry Howard, Manager, Public Search Facility, United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313– 1450; by telephone at 571–272–3258; or by email to Terry.Howard@uspto.gov. Additional information about this information collection is also available at https://www.reginfo.gov under ‘‘Information Collection Review.’’ SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: I. Abstract The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is required by 35 U.S.C. 41(i)(1) to maintain a Public Search Facility to make publically accessible USPTO patent and BILLING CODE 3510–16–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Jkt 253001 PO 00000 Frm 00013 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 trademark collections for search and retrieval. The Public Search Facility is located in a publicly accessible portion of USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, and offers the public access to the collection’s paper, microfilm, and electronic files and trained staff to assist users with searches. The USPTO also offers training courses to assist users with the advanced electronic search systems available at the facility. This information collection covers information collected in applications required for those members of the public who wish to use the electronic search systems at the Public Search Facility to establish a USPTO online access account, and to obtain, renew, or replace online access accounts. The public may apply for an online access account at the Public Search Facility reference desk by providing the necessary information and proper identification. The access account includes a bar-coded user number and an expiration date. Users may renew their account by validating and updating the required information and may obtain a replacement for a lost account information by providing proper identification. Users who wish to register for the voluntary training courses may do so by completing the appropriate form. This information collection also covers information in applications to establish, renew, or replace security identification badges issued, under the authority provided in 41 CFR part 102– 81, to members of the public who wish to access the Public Search Facility. Users may apply for a security badge inperson at the USPTO Security Office by providing the necessary information and presenting a valid form of identification with photograph. The security badges include a color photograph of the user and must be worn at all times while at the USPTO facilities. II. Methods of Collection Items in this information collection must be submitted in-person; including the security badges and account requests. Requests for training may be submitted in-person, online, or through the mail. III. Data OMB Number: 0651–0041. Form Number(s): • PTO–2030 (Application for Public User ID) • PTO–2224 (Security Identification Badges for Public Users) Type of Review: Extension and revision of a currently approved information collection. E:\FR\FM\16APN1.SGM 16APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 72 (Friday, April 16, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 20123-20126]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-07857]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Patent and Trademark Office


Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the 
Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment 
Request; Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Program

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

[[Page 20124]]


ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.

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

SUMMARY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), in 
accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments 
on the extension and revision of an existing information collection: 
0651-0058 (Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Program). The purpose of 
this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment preceding submission 
of the information collection to OMB.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments regarding this information 
collection must be received on or before June 15, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments by 
any of the following methods. Do not submit Confidential Business 
Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information:
     Email: [email protected]. Include ``0651-
0058 comment'' in the subject line of the message.
     Federal Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
     Mail: Kimberly Hardy, Office of the Chief Administrative 
Officer, United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, 
Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Request for additional information 
should be directed to Parikha Mehta, Patent Examination Policy Advisor, 
Office of Patent Legal Administration, United States Patent and 
Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450; by 
telephone at 571-272-3248; or by email to [email protected]. 
Additional information about this information collection is also 
available at https://www.reginfo.gov under ``Information Collection 
Review.''

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) is a framework in which an 
application whose claims have been determined to be patentable by an 
Office of Earlier Examination (OEE) is eligible to go through an 
accelerated examination in an Office of Later Examination (OLE) with a 
simple procedure upon an applicant's request. By leveraging the search 
and examination work product of the OEE, PPH programs (1) deliver lower 
prosecution costs, (2) support applicants in their efforts to obtain 
stable patent rights efficiently around the world, and (3) reduce the 
search and examination burden, while improving the examination quality, 
of participating patent offices.
    Originally, the PPH programs were limited to the utilization of 
search and examination results of national applications between cross 
filings under the Paris Convention. Later, the potential of the PPH was 
greatly expanded by Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)-PPH programs, which 
permit participating patent offices to draw upon the positive results 
of the PCT work product from another participating office. PCT-PPH 
programs use international written opinions and international 
preliminary examination reports developed within the framework of the 
PCT, thereby making the PPH available to a larger number of applicants. 
Information collected for the PCT is approved under the USPTO 
information collection, 0651-0021 (Patent Cooperation Treaty).
    More recently, the USPTO and several other offices acted to 
consolidate and replace existing PPH programs, with the goal of 
streamlining the PPH process for both offices and applicants. To that 
end, the USPTO and other offices established the Global PPH pilot 
program and the IP5 PPH pilot program. Both the Global PPH and the IP5 
PPH pilot programs are running concurrently and are substantially 
identical, differing only with regard to their respective participating 
offices. The USPTO is participating in both the Global PPH pilot 
program and the IP5 PPH pilot program. For USPTO applications, the 
Global PPH and IP5 PPH pilot programs supersede any prior PPH program 
between the USPTO and each Global PPH and IP5 PPH participating office. 
Any existing PPH programs between the USPTO and offices that are not 
participating in either the Global PPH pilot program or the IP5 PPH 
pilot program remain in effect.
    This information collection covers data gathered through the 
Request for Participation in the Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Pilot 
Program, which the public uses to request an accelerated examination 
within the PPH provisions.

II. Method of Collection

    Items in this information collection must be submitted 
electronically.

III. Data

    OMB Control Number: 0651-0058.

Form Numbers: (SB = Specimen Book)
 PTO/SB/20GLBL (Request for Participation in the Global/IP5 PPH 
Pilot Program in the USPTO)
 PTO/SB/20BR (Request for Participation in the Patent 
Prosecution Highway (PPH) Pilot Program Between the Brazilian National 
Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) and the USPTO)
 PTO/SB/20CA (Request for Participation in the Patent 
Prosecution Highway (PPH) Pilot Program Between the Industrial Property 
Office of the Czech Republic (IPOCZ) and the USPTO)
 PTO/SB/20MX (Request for Participation in the Patent 
Prosecution Highway (PPH) Pilot Program Between the Mexican Institute 
of Industrial Property (TMPI) and the USPTO)
 PTO/SB/20NI (Request for Participation in the Patent 
Prosecution Highway (PPH) Pilot Program Between the Nicaraguan Registry 
of Intellectual Property (NRIP) and the USPTO)
 PTO/SB/20PH (Request for Participation in the Patent 
Prosecution Highway (PPH) Pilot Program Between the Intellectual 
Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPH) and the USPTO)
 PTO/SB/20RO (Request for Participation in the Patent 
Prosecution Highway (PPH) Pilot Program Between the Romanian State 
Office of Inventions and Trademarks (OSIM) and the USPTO)
 PTO/SB/20SA (Request for Participation in the Patent 
Prosecution Highway (PPH) Pilot Program between the Saudi Authority for 
Intellectual Property of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (SAIP) and the 
USPTO)
 PTO/SB/20TW (Request for Participation in the Patent 
Prosecution Highway (PPH) Pilot Program Between the Taiwan Intellectual 
Property Office (TIPO) and the USPTO)

    Type of Review: Extension and revision of a currently approved 
information collection.
    Affected Public: Private sector; individuals or households.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 3,567 respondents per year.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 7,090 responses per year.
    Estimated Time per Response: The USPTO estimates that it will take 
the public approximately 2 hours to complete a response. This includes 
the time to gather the necessary information, create the documents, and 
submit the completed item to the USPTO.
    Estimated Total Annual Respondent Burden Hours: 14,180 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Respondent Hourly Cost Burden: $5,672,000.

[[Page 20125]]



                           Table 1--Total Hourly Burden for Private Sector Respondents
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Estimated    Estimated
                               Estimated      annual      time for      Estimated    Rate \1\ ($/    Estimated
 Item No.         Item           annual     responses     response   annual  burden     hour)     annual  burden
                              respondents     (year)      (hours)      (hour/year)
                                                   (a)          (b)     (a) x (b) =          (d)     (c) x (d) =
                                                                                (c)                          (e)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.........  Request for             3,255        6,510          * 2          13,020         $400      $5,208,000
             Participation
             in the Global/
             IP5 PPH Pilot
             Program in the
             USPTO (PTO/SB/
             20GLBL).
2.........  Request for                 9            9          * 2              18          400           7,200
             Participation
             in the PPH
             Program Between
             the Brazilian
             National
             Institute of
             Industrial
             Property (INPI)
             and the USPTO
             (PTO/SB/20BR).
3.........  Request for                 4            4          * 2               8          400           3,200
             Participation
             in the PPH
             Program Between
             the Industrial
             Property Office
             of the Czech
             Republic
             (IPOCZ) and the
             USPTO (PTO/SB/
             20CZ).
4.........  Request for                 4            4          * 2               8          400           3,200
             Participation
             in the PPH
             Program Between
             the Mexican
             Institute of
             Industrial
             Property (TMPI)
             and the USPTO
             (PTO/SB/20MX).
5.........  Request for                 4            4          * 2               8          400           3,200
             Participation
             in the PPH
             Program Between
             the Nicaraguan
             Registry of
             Intellectual
             Property (NRIP)
             and the USPTO
             (PTO/SB/20NI).
6.........  Request for                 4            4          * 2               8          400           3,200
             Participation
             in the PPH
             Program Between
             the
             Intellectual
             Property Office
             of the
             Philippines
             (IPOPH) and the
             USPTO (PTO/SB/
             20PH).
7.........  Request for                 4            4          * 2               8          400           3,200
             Participation
             in the PPH
             Program Between
             the Romanian
             State Office of
             Inventions and
             Trademarks
             (OSIM) and the
             USPTO (PTO/SB/
             20RO).
8.........  Request for                 4            4          * 2               8          400           3,200
             Participation
             in the PPH
             Program between
             the Saudi
             Authority for
             Intellectual
             Property of the
             Kingdom of
             Saudi Arabia
             (SAIP) and the
             USPTO (PTO/SB/
             20SA).
9.........  Request for                23           46          * 2              92          400          36,800
             Participation
             in the PPH
             Program Between
             the Taiwan
             Intellectual
             Property Office
             (TIPO) and the
             USPTO (PTO/SB/
             20TW).
                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Total........        3,311        6,589  ...........          13,178  ...........       5,271,200
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* (120 minutes).
\1\ 2019 Report of the Economic Survey from the Law Practice Management Committee of the American Intellectual
  Property Law Association (AIPLA). https://www.aipla.org/detail/journal-issue/2019-report-of-the-economic-survey survey.


                     Table 2--Total Hourly Burden for Individuals or Households Respondents
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            Estimated    Estimated
                               Estimated      annual      time for      Estimated    Rate \2\ ($/    Estimated
 Item No.         Item           annual     responses     response   annual  burden     hour)     annual  burden
                              respondents     (year)      (hours)      (hour/year)
                                                   (a)          (b)     (a) x (b) =          (d)     (c) x (d) =
                                                                                (c)                          (e)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.........  Request for               245          490          * 2             980         $400        $392,000
             Participation
             in the Global/
             IP5 PPH Pilot
             Program in the
             USPTO (PTO/SB/
             20GLBL).
2.........  Request for                 1            1          * 2               2          400             800
             Participation
             in the PPH
             Program Between
             the Brazilian
             National
             Institute of
             Industrial
             Property (INPI)
             and the USPTO
             (PTO/SB/20BR).
3.........  Request for                 1            1          * 2               2          400             800
             Participation
             in the PPH
             Program Between
             the Industrial
             Property Office
             of the Czech
             Republic
             (IPOCZ) and the
             USPTO (PTO/SB/
             20CZ).
4.........  Request for                 1            1          * 2               2          400             800
             Participation
             in the PPH
             Program Between
             the Mexican
             Institute of
             Industrial
             Property (TMPI)
             and the USPTO
             (PTO/SB/20MX).
5.........  Request for                 1            1          * 2               2          400             800
             Participation
             in the PPH
             Program Between
             the Nicaraguan
             Registry of
             Intellectual
             Property (NRIP)
             and the USPTO
             (PTO/SB/20NI).
6.........  Request for                 1            1          * 2               2          400             800
             Participation
             in the PPH
             Program Between
             the
             Intellectual
             Property Office
             of the
             Philippines
             (IPOPH) and the
             USPTO (PTO/SB/
             20PH).
7.........  Request for                 1            1          * 2               2          400             800
             Participation
             in the PPH
             Program Between
             the Romanian
             State Office of
             Inventions and
             Trademarks
             (OSIM) and the
             USPTO (PTO/SB/
             20RO).
8.........  Request for                 1            1          * 2               2          400             800
             Participation
             in the PPH
             Program between
             the Saudi
             Authority for
             Intellectual
             Property of the
             Kingdom of
             Saudi Arabia
             (SAIP) and the
             USPTO (PTO/SB/
             20SA).
9.........  Request for                 4            4          * 2               8          400           3,200
             Participation
             in the PPH
             Program Between
             the Taiwan
             Intellectual
             Property Office
             (TIPO) and the
             USPTO (PTO/SB/
             20TW).
                             -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               Total........          256          501  ...........           1,002  ...........         400,800
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* (120 minutes).
\2\ 2019 Report of the Economic Survey from the Law Practice Management Committee of the American Intellectual
  Property Law Association (AIPLA). https://www.aipla.org/detail/journal-issue/2019-report-of-the-economic-survey survey


[[Page 20126]]

    Estimated Total Annual (Non-hour) Respondent Cost Burden: $0.00. 
There are no filing fees or start-up, maintenance, recordkeeping, or 
postage costs associated with this information collection.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain benefits.

IV. Request for Comments

    The USPTO is soliciting public comments to:
    (a) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is 
necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, 
including whether the information will have practical utility;
    (b) Evaluate the accuracy of the Agency's estimate of the burden of 
the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the 
methodology and assumptions used;
    (c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to 
be collected; and
    (d) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those 
who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, 
electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or 
other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic 
submission of responses.
    All comments submitted in response to this notice are a matter of 
public record. USPTO will include or summarize each comment in the 
request to OMB to approve this information collection. Before including 
an address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying 
information in a comment, be aware that the entire comment-- including 
personal identifying information--may be made publicly available at any 
time. While you may ask in your comment to withhold personal 
identifying information from public view, USPTO cannot guarantee that 
it will be able to do so.

Kimberly Hardy,
Information Collections Officer, Office of the Chief Administrative 
Officer, United States Patent and Trademark Office.
[FR Doc. 2021-07857 Filed 4-15-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-16-P


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