Trademarks for Humanity Awards Competition Program, 21650-21652 [2023-07125]

Download as PDF lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 21650 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 69 / Tuesday, April 11, 2023 / Notices renewal of this proposed IHA as described in the paragraph below. Please include with your comments any supporting data or literature citations to help inform decisions on the request for this IHA or a subsequent renewal IHA. On a case-by-case basis, NMFS may issue a one-time, 1-year renewal IHA following notice to the public providing an additional 15 days for public comments when (1) up to another year of identical or nearly identical activities as described in the Description of Proposed Activity section of this notice is planned or (2) the activities as described in the Description of Proposed Activity section of this notice would not be completed by the time the IHA expires and a renewal would allow for completion of the activities beyond that described in the Dates and Duration section of this notice, provided all of the following conditions are met: • A request for renewal is received no later than 60 days prior to the needed renewal IHA effective date (recognizing that the renewal IHA expiration date cannot extend beyond 1 year from expiration of the initial IHA). • The request for renewal must include the following: (1) An explanation that the activities to be conducted under the requested renewal IHA are identical to the activities analyzed under the initial IHA, are a subset of the activities, or include changes so minor (e.g., reduction in pile size) that the changes do not affect the previous analyses, mitigation and monitoring requirements, or take estimates (with the exception of reducing the type or amount of take). (2) A preliminary monitoring report showing the results of the required monitoring to date and an explanation showing that the monitoring results do not indicate impacts of a scale or nature not previously analyzed or authorized. Upon review of the request for renewal, the status of the affected species or stocks, and any other pertinent information, NMFS determines that there are no more than minor changes in the activities, the mitigation and monitoring measures will remain the same and appropriate, and the findings in the initial IHA remain valid. Dated: April 6, 2023. Kimberly Damon-Randall, Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2023–07561 Filed 4–10–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:45 Apr 10, 2023 Jkt 259001 DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XC898] Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: The Pacific Fishery Management Council’s (Pacific Council) Highly Migratory Species Management Team (HMSMT) will hold an online meeting, which is open to the public. DATES: The online meeting will be held Monday, May 1, 2023, from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Tuesday, May 2, 2023, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ADDRESSES: This meeting will be held online. Specific meeting information, including directions on how to join the meeting and system requirements will be provided in the meeting announcement on the Pacific Council’s website (see www.pcouncil.org). You may send an email to Mr. Kris Kleinschmidt (kris.kleinschmidt@ noaa.gov) or contact him at (503) 820– 2412 for technical assistance. Council address: Pacific Fishery Management Council, 7700 NE Ambassador Place, Suite 101, Portland, OR 97220–1384. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kit Dahl, Staff Officer, Pacific Council; telephone: (503) 820–2422. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The two main topics the HMSMT will discuss in this meeting are the development of a proposed agenda for a workshop the Pacific Council is considering to address issues related to the management of West Coast swordfish fisheries and to review material related to HMS essential fish habitat (EFH). The Pacific Council will discuss the workshop at its June 2023 meeting and will begin a review of the current EFH definitions in the HMS Fishery Management Plan at its September 2023 meeting. The HMSMT also may discuss other topics related to Pacific Council agenda items and related workload. Although non-emergency issues not contained in the meeting agenda may be discussed, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Action will be restricted to those issues specifically listed in this document and any issues arising after publication of this document that require emergency action under section SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00049 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, provided the public has been notified of the intent to take final action to address the emergency. Special Accommodations Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Mr. Kris Kleinschmidt (kris.kleinschmidt@ noaa.gov; (503) 820–2412) at least 10 days prior to the meeting date. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: April 6, 2023. Rey Israel Marquez, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2023–07565 Filed 4–10–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Patent and Trademark Office [Docket No.: PTO–C–2022–0039] Trademarks for Humanity Awards Competition Program United States Patent and Trademark Office, Department of Commerce. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: Pursuant to its statutory authority to conduct intellectual property programs, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office) is launching a pilot program to promote and incentivize brand owners who offer products and services that help address humanitarian issues utilizing a federally registered trademark. The pilot program will be conducted as an awards competition. For the inaugural program, the humanitarian theme will be the environment. Participating trademark owners will submit program applications describing how the provision of their goods or services, in connection with a trademark registered by the USPTO, has addressed a humanitarian environmental problem impacting people or the planet. DATES: Applications will be accepted from April 11, 2023 through July 14, 2023, or until 200 applications are received, whichever occurs first. ADDRESSES: Applications must be submitted electronically via an online application portal, which can be accessed from the USPTO’s Trademarks for Humanity web page at https:// www.uspto.gov/ip-policy/trademarkshumanity-awards-program. SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\11APN1.SGM 11APN1 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 69 / Tuesday, April 11, 2023 / Notices FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anna Manville, Attorney-Advisor, USPTO, anna.manville@uspto.gov, 571– 272–9300; or Branden Ritchie, Senior Level Attorney, USPTO, branden.ritchie@uspto.gov, 571–272– 9300. In 2012, the USPTO announced a pilot program to recognize humanitarian uses of patented and patent-pending technology. See Humanitarian Awards Pilot Program, 77 FR 6544 (February 8, 2012). Based on the success of that program, the USPTO is announcing a pilot awards program to promote and incentivize the use of trademarks in connection with the provision of goods and services that address humanitarian issues. The USPTO will review the results of this pilot program to determine whether to continue or modify the program. Eligibility: The competition is open to any entity or person who: • owns a mark that is the subject of a live federal trademark registration issued by the USPTO; and • is using the mark in U.S. commerce on or in connection with the goods and/ or services specified in the federal registration. Eligible U.S. registrations may be for trademarks, service marks, certification marks, collective marks, or collective membership marks. Competition Criteria: Applications must describe how applicants have addressed a ‘‘humanitarian, environmental problem,’’ which is an environmental challenge that impacts the welfare of people or the planet. Examples of humanitarian, environmental problems include: air, land, and water pollution; greenhouse gas emissions; climate change; deforestation; water shortages; industrial and household waste; and the need for renewable energy solutions, among others. Applicants must describe how the provision of their goods and/or services in connection with their registered trademark(s) helps to address a humanitarian, environmental problem or problems. For example, an applicant may be providing products and/or services that use environmentallyfriendly materials/practices or that relate to renewable energy, green technology, water purification, reforestation, capturing carbon emissions, or pollution reduction solutions. Applicants are encouraged to think broadly regarding the connection between the environment and their efforts. For example, an applicant may: lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:45 Apr 10, 2023 Jkt 259001 utilize repurposed or recycled materials to produce or package their products; license renewable energy solutions to others; or donate its profits toward efforts to address humanitarian, environmental problems. Other examples could include a certification mark owner’s efforts to promote the authorized use of its mark by businesses that contribute toward resolving a humanitarian, environmental problem, or a non-profit organization’s educational and training services to encourage best practices surrounding a humanitarian, environmental problem. The focus of the applicant’s description should be on demonstrable, real-world contributions toward a cleaner and healthier environment. Judges will evaluate submitted applications based on whether and to what extent they meet the following four criteria: (i) Subject Matter—the provision of the applicant’s goods and/or services in connection with a mark registered by the USPTO addresses a humanitarian, environmental problem; (ii) Impact—the provision of the applicant’s goods and/or services in connection with a mark registered by the USPTO has made a meaningful impact in addressing a humanitarian, environmental problem; (iii) Creative Solution—the manner by which the applicant addresses a humanitarian, environmental problem through the provision of its goods and/ or services in connection with a mark registered by the USPTO represents a creative, new, or improved approach or solution; and (iv) Character of the Mark—the applicant’s registered mark used on or in connection with its goods and/or services: • Creatively conveys the importance of the environment; the need to address a humanitarian, environmental problem, or the manner in which the applicant’s particular goods and/or services, or the provision thereof, address a humanitarian, environmental problem; or • Has become recognized through its use as being associated with addressing a humanitarian, environmental problem. Selection Factors: In addition to the competition criteria, a number of selection factors will be considered in choosing award recipients. Unlike judging criteria, selection factors are not items that applicants address in their applications. Rather, they are guiding principles for administering the competition. While a live U.S. trademark registration is required to be eligible for the program, the program will be PO 00000 Frm 00050 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 21651 geographically neutral, meaning the impact resulting from applicant’s efforts can be anywhere in the world. Diversity with respect to contribution toward addressing humanitarian environmental problems will also factor into selections. Part of the program’s mission is to showcase the numerous ways in which trademark owners contribute to humanitarian efforts. No single contribution model can address every humanitarian, environmental problem. Selected awardees should reflect a diverse range of: products and services; organizational structures; sizes (small, medium, and large entities); methods of contribution; and specific areas of focus within the broad humanitarian, environmental theme. Application Process: Applications for the 2023 Trademarks for Humanity awards competition will be accepted from April 11, 2023 to July 14, 2023, or until 200 applications are received, whichever occurs first. Applications must be submitted electronically via an online application portal, which can be accessed from the USPTO’s Trademarks for Humanity web page at https:// www.uspto.gov/ip-policy/trademarkshumanity-awards-program. The application portal will feature an interactive electronic application form that applicants will use to enter application information and upload any supporting materials they wish to submit. Submitted applications will be publicly available on the application portal after being screened for inappropriate material. Submissions containing incomplete or inappropriate material will not be considered. Applications will contain a required core section and an optional supplementary section. In the core section, applicants must describe how their efforts meet the defined competition criteria, within a strict seven thousand-character limit. In the optional supplementary section, applicants may provide additional supporting materials (e.g., product/service brochures, advertising materials, published articles, third-party testimonials). Judges will review the core section of every application, and, time permitting, will also review materials submitted in the supplementary section. This program 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 et seq.). The collection of information involved in this program has been reviewed and approved by OMB under control number 0651–0066. E:\FR\FM\11APN1.SGM 11APN1 lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with NOTICES1 21652 Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 69 / Tuesday, April 11, 2023 / Notices Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information has a currently valid OMB control number. Judging Process: After the application period ends, independent judges from outside the USPTO will review, score, and return the applications and their evaluations to the USPTO. Judges will evaluate applications based on the judging criteria and selection factors described above. Each application will be reviewed by multiple judges separately, and each judge will review multiple applications. To encourage fair, open, and impartial evaluations, judges will perform their reviews independently, and the reviews will not be released to the public unless release is required by law. After awards have been made, however, applicants may request from the USPTO a copy of the judges’ evaluations for their application with the judges’ names redacted. Such copies will be sent to either the address on file with the application or another address verified as belonging to the applicant. After the USPTO receives the scored applications from the judges, the USPTO will then forward top-scoring applications to separate judges from participating federal agencies to recommend award recipients. The goal is to complete this recommendation process within 90 days of the close of the application period. After receiving recommendations from these judges, final decisions regarding award recipients will be made at the discretion of the Director of the USPTO. Final results may not be challenged for relief before the USPTO. The actual number of selected award recipients will depend on the number and quality of submissions. Once final decisions regarding award recipients have been made, the USPTO will notify the awardees and schedule a public awards ceremony. The USPTO will attempt to notify awardees four weeks before the ceremony date if circumstances permit. Selection of Judges: Judges will be selected by the USPTO. Candidates with the following qualifications will be preferred: • Recognized subject matter expertise in trademarks, economics, business, law, public policy, or a related field; • Demonstrated understanding of trademark commercialization, branding, and/or marketing; VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:45 Apr 10, 2023 Jkt 259001 • Demonstrated knowledge of humanitarian issues (specifically of humanitarian, environmental issues for the 2023 cycle), including the challenges presented by such issues; and • Experience analyzing the effectiveness of efforts to address humanitarian issues. Judges will be chosen to minimize conflicts of interest. A conflict of interest occurs when a judge: (a) has significant personal or financial interests in, or is an employee, officer, director, or agent of, any applicant participating in the competition; or (b) has a significant familial or financial relationship with an applicant who is participating. When conflicts of interest arise, conflicted judges must recuse themselves from evaluating the affected applications. Awards: Winners of the 2023 competition will receive recognition for their humanitarian efforts at a public awards ceremony with the Director of the USPTO and/or other executive branch official(s) and will be featured on the USPTO’s website. Katherine K. Vidal, Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. [FR Doc. 2023–07125 Filed 4–10–23; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–16–P COMMODITY FUTURES TRADING COMMISSION Sunshine Act Meetings 11:00 a.m. EDT, Wednesday, April 19, 2023. TIME AND DATE: PLACE: Virtual meeting. STATUS: Closed. MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED: Enforcement matters. In the event that the time, date, or location of this meeting changes, an announcement of the change, along with the new time, date, and/or place of the meeting will be posted on the Commission’s website at https://www.cftc.gov/. CONTACT PERSON FOR MORE INFORMATION: Christopher Kirkpatrick, 202–418–5964. Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552b. Dated: April 7, 2023. Christopher Kirkpatrick, Secretary of the Commission. [FR Doc. 2023–07655 Filed 4–7–23; 11:15 am] BILLING CODE 6351–01–P PO 00000 Frm 00051 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION [CPSC Docket No. 2023–0004] Agency Information Collection Activities; Proposed Collection; Comment Request; Testing and Labeling of Non-Children’s Products Containing or Designed To Use Button Cell or Coin Batteries and Labeling of Button Cell or Coin Battery Packaging Consumer Product Safety Commission. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: On February 9, 2023, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC or Commission) published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPR) to establish testing and labeling requirements for consumer products that contain or are designed to use button cell or coin batteries, and for the labeling of button cell or coin battery packaging. The NPR estimated the burden associated with these requirements for children’s products, but did not include an estimated burden for testing and labeling of nonchildren’s products or for labeling button cell or coin battery packaging. As required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the CPSC requests comments on a proposed collection of information for Testing and Labeling of Non-Children’s Products Containing or Designed to Use Button Cell or Coin Batteries and Labeling of Button Cell or Battery Packaging. CPSC will consider all comments received in response to this notice before requesting a control number for this collection of information from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). DATES: Submit written or electronic comments on the collection of information by June 12, 2023. ADDRESSES: You can submit comments, identified by Docket No. CPSC–2023– 0004, by any of the following methods: Electronic Submissions: CPSC encourages you to submit electronic comments to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at: https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the instructions for submitting comments. CPSC typically does not accept comments submitted by electronic mail (email), except as described below. Mail/Hand Delivery/Courier/ Confidential Written Submissions: Submit comments by mail, hand delivery, or courier to: Office of the Secretary, Consumer Product Safety Commission, 4330 East West Highway, Bethesda, MD 20814; telephone: (301) 504–7479. If you wish to submit SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\11APN1.SGM 11APN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 69 (Tuesday, April 11, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21650-21652]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-07125]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Patent and Trademark Office

[Docket No.: PTO-C-2022-0039]


Trademarks for Humanity Awards Competition Program

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

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: Pursuant to its statutory authority to conduct intellectual 
property programs, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO 
or Office) is launching a pilot program to promote and incentivize 
brand owners who offer products and services that help address 
humanitarian issues utilizing a federally registered trademark. The 
pilot program will be conducted as an awards competition. For the 
inaugural program, the humanitarian theme will be the environment. 
Participating trademark owners will submit program applications 
describing how the provision of their goods or services, in connection 
with a trademark registered by the USPTO, has addressed a humanitarian 
environmental problem impacting people or the planet.

DATES: Applications will be accepted from April 11, 2023 through July 
14, 2023, or until 200 applications are received, whichever occurs 
first.

ADDRESSES: Applications must be submitted electronically via an online 
application portal, which can be accessed from the USPTO's Trademarks 
for Humanity web page at https://www.uspto.gov/ip-policy/trademarks-humanity-awards-program.

[[Page 21651]]


FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Anna Manville, Attorney-Advisor, 
USPTO, [email protected], 571-272-9300; or Branden Ritchie, 
Senior Level Attorney, USPTO, [email protected], 571-272-9300.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 2012, the USPTO announced a pilot program 
to recognize humanitarian uses of patented and patent-pending 
technology. See Humanitarian Awards Pilot Program, 77 FR 6544 (February 
8, 2012). Based on the success of that program, the USPTO is announcing 
a pilot awards program to promote and incentivize the use of trademarks 
in connection with the provision of goods and services that address 
humanitarian issues. The USPTO will review the results of this pilot 
program to determine whether to continue or modify the program.
    Eligibility: The competition is open to any entity or person who:
     owns a mark that is the subject of a live federal 
trademark registration issued by the USPTO; and
     is using the mark in U.S. commerce on or in connection 
with the goods and/or services specified in the federal registration.
    Eligible U.S. registrations may be for trademarks, service marks, 
certification marks, collective marks, or collective membership marks.
    Competition Criteria: Applications must describe how applicants 
have addressed a ``humanitarian, environmental problem,'' which is an 
environmental challenge that impacts the welfare of people or the 
planet. Examples of humanitarian, environmental problems include: air, 
land, and water pollution; greenhouse gas emissions; climate change; 
deforestation; water shortages; industrial and household waste; and the 
need for renewable energy solutions, among others.
    Applicants must describe how the provision of their goods and/or 
services in connection with their registered trademark(s) helps to 
address a humanitarian, environmental problem or problems. For example, 
an applicant may be providing products and/or services that use 
environmentally-friendly materials/practices or that relate to 
renewable energy, green technology, water purification, reforestation, 
capturing carbon emissions, or pollution reduction solutions.
    Applicants are encouraged to think broadly regarding the connection 
between the environment and their efforts. For example, an applicant 
may: utilize repurposed or recycled materials to produce or package 
their products; license renewable energy solutions to others; or donate 
its profits toward efforts to address humanitarian, environmental 
problems. Other examples could include a certification mark owner's 
efforts to promote the authorized use of its mark by businesses that 
contribute toward resolving a humanitarian, environmental problem, or a 
non-profit organization's educational and training services to 
encourage best practices surrounding a humanitarian, environmental 
problem. The focus of the applicant's description should be on 
demonstrable, real-world contributions toward a cleaner and healthier 
environment.
    Judges will evaluate submitted applications based on whether and to 
what extent they meet the following four criteria:
    (i) Subject Matter--the provision of the applicant's goods and/or 
services in connection with a mark registered by the USPTO addresses a 
humanitarian, environmental problem;
    (ii) Impact--the provision of the applicant's goods and/or services 
in connection with a mark registered by the USPTO has made a meaningful 
impact in addressing a humanitarian, environmental problem;
    (iii) Creative Solution--the manner by which the applicant 
addresses a humanitarian, environmental problem through the provision 
of its goods and/or services in connection with a mark registered by 
the USPTO represents a creative, new, or improved approach or solution; 
and
    (iv) Character of the Mark--the applicant's registered mark used on 
or in connection with its goods and/or services:
     Creatively conveys the importance of the environment; the 
need to address a humanitarian, environmental problem, or the manner in 
which the applicant's particular goods and/or services, or the 
provision thereof, address a humanitarian, environmental problem; or
     Has become recognized through its use as being associated 
with addressing a humanitarian, environmental problem.
    Selection Factors: In addition to the competition criteria, a 
number of selection factors will be considered in choosing award 
recipients. Unlike judging criteria, selection factors are not items 
that applicants address in their applications. Rather, they are guiding 
principles for administering the competition.
    While a live U.S. trademark registration is required to be eligible 
for the program, the program will be geographically neutral, meaning 
the impact resulting from applicant's efforts can be anywhere in the 
world.
    Diversity with respect to contribution toward addressing 
humanitarian environmental problems will also factor into selections. 
Part of the program's mission is to showcase the numerous ways in which 
trademark owners contribute to humanitarian efforts. No single 
contribution model can address every humanitarian, environmental 
problem. Selected awardees should reflect a diverse range of: products 
and services; organizational structures; sizes (small, medium, and 
large entities); methods of contribution; and specific areas of focus 
within the broad humanitarian, environmental theme.
    Application Process: Applications for the 2023 Trademarks for 
Humanity awards competition will be accepted from April 11, 2023 to 
July 14, 2023, or until 200 applications are received, whichever occurs 
first. Applications must be submitted electronically via an online 
application portal, which can be accessed from the USPTO's Trademarks 
for Humanity web page at https://www.uspto.gov/ip-policy/trademarks-humanity-awards-program. The application portal will feature an 
interactive electronic application form that applicants will use to 
enter application information and upload any supporting materials they 
wish to submit. Submitted applications will be publicly available on 
the application portal after being screened for inappropriate material. 
Submissions containing incomplete or inappropriate material will not be 
considered.
    Applications will contain a required core section and an optional 
supplementary section. In the core section, applicants must describe 
how their efforts meet the defined competition criteria, within a 
strict seven thousand-character limit.
    In the optional supplementary section, applicants may provide 
additional supporting materials (e.g., product/service brochures, 
advertising materials, published articles, third-party testimonials). 
Judges will review the core section of every application, and, time 
permitting, will also review materials submitted in the supplementary 
section.
    This program 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 et seq.). The 
collection of information involved in this program has been reviewed 
and approved by OMB under control number 0651-0066.

[[Page 21652]]

    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required 
to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure 
to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements 
of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of information 
has a currently valid OMB control number.
    Judging Process: After the application period ends, independent 
judges from outside the USPTO will review, score, and return the 
applications and their evaluations to the USPTO. Judges will evaluate 
applications based on the judging criteria and selection factors 
described above. Each application will be reviewed by multiple judges 
separately, and each judge will review multiple applications. To 
encourage fair, open, and impartial evaluations, judges will perform 
their reviews independently, and the reviews will not be released to 
the public unless release is required by law. After awards have been 
made, however, applicants may request from the USPTO a copy of the 
judges' evaluations for their application with the judges' names 
redacted. Such copies will be sent to either the address on file with 
the application or another address verified as belonging to the 
applicant.
    After the USPTO receives the scored applications from the judges, 
the USPTO will then forward top-scoring applications to separate judges 
from participating federal agencies to recommend award recipients. The 
goal is to complete this recommendation process within 90 days of the 
close of the application period.
    After receiving recommendations from these judges, final decisions 
regarding award recipients will be made at the discretion of the 
Director of the USPTO. Final results may not be challenged for relief 
before the USPTO.
    The actual number of selected award recipients will depend on the 
number and quality of submissions. Once final decisions regarding award 
recipients have been made, the USPTO will notify the awardees and 
schedule a public awards ceremony. The USPTO will attempt to notify 
awardees four weeks before the ceremony date if circumstances permit.
    Selection of Judges: Judges will be selected by the USPTO. 
Candidates with the following qualifications will be preferred:
     Recognized subject matter expertise in trademarks, 
economics, business, law, public policy, or a related field;
     Demonstrated understanding of trademark commercialization, 
branding, and/or marketing;
     Demonstrated knowledge of humanitarian issues 
(specifically of humanitarian, environmental issues for the 2023 
cycle), including the challenges presented by such issues; and
     Experience analyzing the effectiveness of efforts to 
address humanitarian issues.
    Judges will be chosen to minimize conflicts of interest. A conflict 
of interest occurs when a judge: (a) has significant personal or 
financial interests in, or is an employee, officer, director, or agent 
of, any applicant participating in the competition; or (b) has a 
significant familial or financial relationship with an applicant who is 
participating. When conflicts of interest arise, conflicted judges must 
recuse themselves from evaluating the affected applications.
    Awards: Winners of the 2023 competition will receive recognition 
for their humanitarian efforts at a public awards ceremony with the 
Director of the USPTO and/or other executive branch official(s) and 
will be featured on the USPTO's website.

Katherine K. Vidal,
Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the 
United States Patent and Trademark Office.
[FR Doc. 2023-07125 Filed 4-10-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-16-P


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