Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; DOCX Submission Requirements, 37039-37041 [2023-11913]
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 108 / Tuesday, June 6, 2023 / Notices
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Regional offices:
1. Considering the envisioned mission
above, what essential services—
including outreach, education, customer
service, convening space, and employee
support—should a RO provide to
achieve the statutory purposes?
a. Do you prefer to have the services
you identified delivered virtually? Why
or why not?
b. Do you prefer to have the services
you identified delivered in person? Why
or why not?
2. What types of organizations should
the RO pursue relationships and
collaborations with to better leverage
and scale its services?
Community outreach offices:
3. Considering the envisioned mission
above, what essential services—
including outreach, education, and
customer service—should a COO
provide to achieve the statutory
purposes?
a. Do you prefer to have the services
you identified delivered virtually? Why
or why not?
b. Do you prefer to have the services
you identified delivered in person? Why
or why not?
4. What types of organizations should
the COO pursue relationships and
collaborations with to better leverage
and scale its services?
5. Would you support a COO being
co-located with other public sector
entities/services?
a. If so, please describe the added
value of having a shared location.
b. Which public sector entities/
services would you suggest for the
shared location(s)?
c. If not, please describe the benefit of
having a unique location for a COO.
General comments regarding regional
and community outreach offices:
6. What unique services should the
ROs and COOs individually provide,
and how should the full range of
services complement each other?
7. Considering the potential classes of
data listed in part I above, what
additional key indicators or data would
support future RO and COO site
selection?
8. What else should the USPTO
consider when planning for the ROs and
COOs?
III. Specific Request for Comments:
Location of the Southeast Regional
Office
Given the statutory purposes and
considerations of ROs, including those
specific to the SERO, as discussed in
part I, and the planning and design
considerations identified in part II:
9. What data would assist in assessing
potential locations for the SERO site?
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10. What is an ideal location for the
SERO? Describe how this location meets
the statutory purposes and
considerations.
11. What State or local government,
legal, and business frameworks that
support intellectual property-intensive
industries are located near the
recommended site?
12. What else should the USPTO
consider when determining the ideal
location for the SERO?
IV. Specific Request for Comments:
Location of the Northern New England
Community Outreach Office
Given the statutory purposes and
considerations of COOs, including those
specific to the NNECOO, as discussed in
part I, and the planning and design
considerations identified in part II:
13. What data would assist in
assessing potential locations for the
NNECOO site?
14. What is an ideal location for the
NNECOO? Describe how this location
meets the statutory purposes and
considerations.
15. What community organizations/
businesses near the recommended office
location could the USPTO collaborate
with to help provide intellectual
property education and promote the
career benefits of innovation and
entrepreneurship?
16. What else should the USPTO
consider when determining the ideal
NNECOO?
While the Office welcomes and values
all comments from the public in
response to this request, the comments
submitted do not bind the Office to any
further actions related to the comments,
and the Office may not respond to any
or every comment that is submitted. The
Office will, however, consider all
written submissions.
Any and all decisions made with
regard to the future locations of the RO
and COOs will be made consistent with
the criteria outlined in the UAIA and
the goals and mission of the USPTO.
Katherine K. Vidal,
Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual
Property and Director of the United States
Patent and Trademark Office.
[FR Doc. 2023–11987 Filed 6–5–23; 8:45 am]
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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; DOCX Submission
Requirements
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 proposed
information collection: DOCX
Submission Requirements. 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
August 7, 2023.
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.
• Federal Rulemaking Portal: https://
www.regulations.gov.
• Mail: Justin Isaac, 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 Raul Tamayo,
Senior Legal Advisor, United States
Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box
1450, Alexandria, VA 22313–1450; by
telephone at 571–272–7728; or by email
at raul.tamayo@uspto.gov with ‘‘DOCX
ICR comment’’ in the subject line.
Additional information about this
information collection is also available
at https://www.reginfo.gov under
‘‘Information Collection Review.’’
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
SUMMARY:
I. Abstract
On August 3, 2020, the USPTO
published a final rule in the Federal
Register that included a new fee set
forth in 37 CFR 1.16(u). See Setting and
Adjusting Patent Fees in Fiscal Year
2020, 85 FR 46932. Although that final
rule indicated the new fee at § 1.16(u)
would go into effect on January 1, 2022,
the effective date of the new fee was
delayed to give applicants more time to
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 108 / Tuesday, June 6, 2023 / Notices
DOCX file(s) when filing an application
in Patent Center. See Extension of
Period To Allow Submission of a PDF
With a Patent Application Filed in
DOCX Format, 87 FR 77812 (Dec. 20,
2022).
The items in this proposed new
information collection relate solely to
the impacts of the § 1.16(u) non-DOCX
filing surcharge fee on the filing of
nonprovisional utility applications
under 35 U.S.C. 111, including
continuing applications. In particular,
this proposed new information
collection accounts for the § 1.16(u)
non-DOCX filing surcharge fee itself, as
well as an additional 30 minutes of time
to accommodate the (i) extra review that
some respondents may undertake as
they start to become more familiar with
the DOCX format and (ii) submission of
the back-up applicant-generated PDF
that some respondents will opt to
submit.
The estimated volumes for the items
in this proposed new information
collection are based from the estimates
for the corresponding nonprovisional
utility applications filed under 35
U.S.C. 111, including continuing
applications, that are covered under an
existing OMB clearance (0651–0032;
Initial Patent Applications).
Respondents for the items in the
proposed new information collection
will either take an extra 0.5 hours to file
their applications in DOCX format or
they will pay the non-DOCX surcharge,
they will not do both.
adjust to filing patent applications in
the DOCX format.
As specified in § 1.16(u), the fee is
due for any application filed under 35
U.S.C. 111 for an original patent—
except design, plant, or provisional
applications—where the specification,
claims, and/or abstract do not conform
to the USPTO requirements for
submission in the DOCX format.
Therefore, the fee is due for
nonprovisional utility applications filed
under 35 U.S.C. 111, including
continuing applications, that are not
filed in the DOCX format.
The USPTO conducted two pilot
programs for filing applications in the
DOCX format. The eMod Text Pilot
Program was conducted between August
2016 and September 2017. The USPTO
then expanded the ability to file patent
applications in the DOCX format in
EFS-Web to all users in September 2017.
In 2018, the USPTO launched the Patent
Center and conducted the Patent Center
Text Pilot Program from June 2018
through April 2020. All applicants have
been able to file applications in the
DOCX format in the Patent Center since
April 2020. Information about the Patent
Center is available at www.uspto.gov/
PatentCenter. The USPTO continues to
hold many discussions and training
sessions with stakeholders to ensure a
fair and reasonable transition to the
DOCX format. In addition, to further
ensure a fair and reasonable transition
to the DOCX format, the USPTO has,
since April 2022, provided patent
applicants with the option to submit a
back-up applicant-generated PDF
version of the application along with the
II. Method of Collection
Patent Applications can be submitted
electronically via the USPTO’s patent
electronic filing system, by mail, or by
hand delivery to the USPTO. Patent
applications submitted in the DOCX
format will be submitted electronically.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0651–New.
Forms: None.
Type of Review: New.
Affected Public: Private sector,
individuals and households.
Respondent’s Obligation: Required to
obtain or retain benefits.
Estimated Number of Annual
Respondents: 411,817 (including
164,066 respondents from filing fees).
Estimated Number of Annual
Responses: 411,817 (including 164,066
responses from filing fees).
Estimated Time per Response: The
USPTO estimates that the responses in
this information collection will take the
public approximately 30 minutes (0.5
hours) to complete. This includes the
time to create the document and submit
the completed item to the USPTO. The
USPTO provides the 30-minute estimate
out of an abundance of caution for the
initial period after the effective date of
the non-DOCX filing surcharge fee. The
USPTO expects to decrease the 30minute estimate by the first renewal of
this collection as the public more fully
comprehends the nature of, and how to
comply with, the DOCX format.
Estimated Number of Annual
Respondent Burden Hours: 123,877
hours.
Estimated Number of Annual
Respondent Hourly Cost Burden:
$53,886,495.
TABLE 1—TOTAL BURDEN HOURS AND HOURLY COSTS TO PRIVATE SECTOR RESPONDENTS
Item No.
1 .................
2 .................
3 .................
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
4 .................
Item
Estimated
annual
respondents
Responses
per respondent
Estimated
annual
responses
Estimated time
for response
(hours)
Estimated
burden
(hour/year)
Rate 1
($/hour)
Estimated
annual
respondent
cost burden
(a)
(b)
(a) × (b) = (c)
(d)
(c) × (d) = (e)
(f)
(e) × (f) = (g)
DOCX submission of Original New Utility Applications.
DOCX submission of Utility
Continuation/Divisional of
an International Application.
DOCX submission of Utility
Continuation/Divisional
Applications.
DOCX submission of Utility
Continuation-in-Part Applications.
Totals ...........................
170,510
1
170,510
0.5
85,255
$435
$37,085,925
6,049
1
6,049
0.5
3,025
435
1,315,875
57,044
1
57,044
0.5
28,522
435
12,407,070
6,516
1
6,516
0.5
3,258
435
1,417,230
240,119
..........................
240,119
........................
120,060
........................
52,226,100
1 2021
Report of the Economic Survey published by the Committee on Economics of Legal Practice of the American Intellectual Property Law Association (AIPLA);
the USPTO uses the mean IP billing rate for attorneys in private firms which is $435 per hour. (https://www.aipla.org/home/news-publications/economic-survey; pg F–
27).
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Federal Register / Vol. 88, No. 108 / Tuesday, June 6, 2023 / Notices
TABLE 2—TOTAL HOURLY BURDEN FOR INDIVIDUAL AND HOUSEHOLD RESPONDENTS
Item No.
1 .................
2 .................
3 .................
4 .................
Item
Estimated
annual
respondents
Responses
per respondent
Estimated
annual
responses
Estimated time
for response
(hours)
Estimated
burden
(hour/year)
Rate 2
($/hour)
Estimated
annual
respondent
cost burden
(a)
(b)
(a) × (b) = (c)
(d)
(c) × (d) = (e)
(f)
(e) × (f) = (g)
DOCX submission of Original New Utility Applications.
DOCX submission of Utility
Continuation/Divisional of
an International Application.
DOCX submission of Utility
Continuation/Divisional
Applications.
DOCX submission of Utility
Continuation-in-Part Applications.
Totals ...........................
5,420
1
5,420
0.5
2,710
$435
$1,178,850
192
1
192
0.5
96
435
41,760
1,813
1
1,813
0.5
907
435
394,545
207
1
207
0.5
104
435
45,240
7,632
..........................
7,632
........................
3,817
........................
1,660,395
2 Ibid.
Estimated Total Annual Respondent
Non-hourly Cost Burden: $49,588,160.
There are no maintenance costs,
capital start-up costs, recordkeeping
costs, or postage associated with this
information collection. However, the
USPTO estimates that the total annual
(non-hour) cost burden for this
information collection, in the form of
filing fees) is $49,588,160. The USPTO
expects the DOCX format adoption rate
to steadily increase as the public more
fully comprehends the nature of, and
how to comply with, the format. Thus,
the USPTO expects the number of
respondents that will pay the nonDOCX filing surcharge fee to decrease
by the first renewal of this collection.
Additionally, the USPTO expects the
frequency and amount of any extra
review time to decrease as respondents
become more comfortable with the
DOCX filing process.
Filing Fees
The items with filing fees are listed in
the table below.
TABLE 3—FILING FEE COSTS TO RESPONDENTS
Item No.
1–4 ...........
1–4 ...........
1–4 ...........
Fee code
1054
2054
3054
Item
(a)
(b)
(a) × (b) = (c)
$400
160
80
$40,838,000
7,584,960
1,165,200
Totals .................................................................................
164,066
........................
49,588,160
IV. Request for Comments
ddrumheller on DSK120RN23PROD with NOTICES1
Totals
102,095
47,406
14,565
There are no postage costs associated
with items in this information
collection. The actual submission of
patent applications, and any postage
cost burden, is covered by OMB control
number 0651–0032 (Initial Patent
Applications).
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,
19:24 Jun 05, 2023
Amount
Non-DOCX Filing Surcharge Fee (undiscounted entity) ..........
Non-DOCX Filing Surcharge Fee (small entity) .......................
Non-DOCX Filing Surcharge Fee (micro entity) .......................
Postage
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Estimated
annual
responses
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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
personally identifiable information (PII)
in a comment, be aware that the entire
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comment—including PII—may be made
publicly available at any time. While
you may ask in your comment to
withhold PII from public view, USPTO
cannot guarantee that it will be able to
do so.
Justin Isaac,
Information Collections Officer, Office of the
Chief Administrative Officer, United States
Patent and Trademark Office.
[FR Doc. 2023–11913 Filed 6–5–23; 8:45 am]
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Per 45 CFR chapter XXI 2102.3, the
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 108 (Tuesday, June 6, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37039-37041]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-11913]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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; DOCX Submission Requirements
AGENCY: United States Patent and Trademark Office, Department of
Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of information collection; request for comment.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as
required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, invites comments on
the proposed information collection: DOCX Submission Requirements. 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 August 7, 2023.
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.
Federal Rulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
Mail: Justin Isaac, 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 Raul Tamayo, Senior Legal Advisor, United States
Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450;
by telephone at 571-272-7728; or by email at [email protected] with
``DOCX ICR comment'' in the subject line. Additional information about
this information collection is also available at https://www.reginfo.gov
under ``Information Collection Review.''
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
On August 3, 2020, the USPTO published a final rule in the Federal
Register that included a new fee set forth in 37 CFR 1.16(u). See
Setting and Adjusting Patent Fees in Fiscal Year 2020, 85 FR 46932.
Although that final rule indicated the new fee at Sec. 1.16(u) would
go into effect on January 1, 2022, the effective date of the new fee
was delayed to give applicants more time to
[[Page 37040]]
adjust to filing patent applications in the DOCX format.
As specified in Sec. 1.16(u), the fee is due for any application
filed under 35 U.S.C. 111 for an original patent--except design, plant,
or provisional applications--where the specification, claims, and/or
abstract do not conform to the USPTO requirements for submission in the
DOCX format. Therefore, the fee is due for nonprovisional utility
applications filed under 35 U.S.C. 111, including continuing
applications, that are not filed in the DOCX format.
The USPTO conducted two pilot programs for filing applications in
the DOCX format. The eMod Text Pilot Program was conducted between
August 2016 and September 2017. The USPTO then expanded the ability to
file patent applications in the DOCX format in EFS-Web to all users in
September 2017. In 2018, the USPTO launched the Patent Center and
conducted the Patent Center Text Pilot Program from June 2018 through
April 2020. All applicants have been able to file applications in the
DOCX format in the Patent Center since April 2020. Information about
the Patent Center is available at www.uspto.gov/PatentCenter. The USPTO
continues to hold many discussions and training sessions with
stakeholders to ensure a fair and reasonable transition to the DOCX
format. In addition, to further ensure a fair and reasonable transition
to the DOCX format, the USPTO has, since April 2022, provided patent
applicants with the option to submit a back-up applicant-generated PDF
version of the application along with the DOCX file(s) when filing an
application in Patent Center. See Extension of Period To Allow
Submission of a PDF With a Patent Application Filed in DOCX Format, 87
FR 77812 (Dec. 20, 2022).
The items in this proposed new information collection relate solely
to the impacts of the Sec. 1.16(u) non-DOCX filing surcharge fee on
the filing of nonprovisional utility applications under 35 U.S.C. 111,
including continuing applications. In particular, this proposed new
information collection accounts for the Sec. 1.16(u) non-DOCX filing
surcharge fee itself, as well as an additional 30 minutes of time to
accommodate the (i) extra review that some respondents may undertake as
they start to become more familiar with the DOCX format and (ii)
submission of the back-up applicant-generated PDF that some respondents
will opt to submit.
The estimated volumes for the items in this proposed new
information collection are based from the estimates for the
corresponding nonprovisional utility applications filed under 35 U.S.C.
111, including continuing applications, that are covered under an
existing OMB clearance (0651-0032; Initial Patent Applications).
Respondents for the items in the proposed new information collection
will either take an extra 0.5 hours to file their applications in DOCX
format or they will pay the non-DOCX surcharge, they will not do both.
II. Method of Collection
Patent Applications can be submitted electronically via the USPTO's
patent electronic filing system, by mail, or by hand delivery to the
USPTO. Patent applications submitted in the DOCX format will be
submitted electronically.
III. Data
OMB Control Number: 0651-New.
Forms: None.
Type of Review: New.
Affected Public: Private sector, individuals and households.
Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain benefits.
Estimated Number of Annual Respondents: 411,817 (including 164,066
respondents from filing fees).
Estimated Number of Annual Responses: 411,817 (including 164,066
responses from filing fees).
Estimated Time per Response: The USPTO estimates that the responses
in this information collection will take the public approximately 30
minutes (0.5 hours) to complete. This includes the time to create the
document and submit the completed item to the USPTO. The USPTO provides
the 30-minute estimate out of an abundance of caution for the initial
period after the effective date of the non-DOCX filing surcharge fee.
The USPTO expects to decrease the 30-minute estimate by the first
renewal of this collection as the public more fully comprehends the
nature of, and how to comply with, the DOCX format.
Estimated Number of Annual Respondent Burden Hours: 123,877 hours.
Estimated Number of Annual Respondent Hourly Cost Burden:
$53,886,495.
Table 1--Total Burden Hours and Hourly Costs to Private Sector Respondents
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated
Estimated Responses per Estimated Estimated time Estimated Rate \1\ ($/ annual
Item No. Item annual respondent annual for response burden (hour/ hour) respondent
respondents responses (hours) year) cost burden
(a) (b) (a) x (b) = (d) (c) x (d) = (f) (e) x (f) =
(c) (e) (g)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1................. DOCX submission of 170,510 1 170,510 0.5 85,255 $435 $37,085,925
Original New
Utility
Applications.
2................. DOCX submission of 6,049 1 6,049 0.5 3,025 435 1,315,875
Utility
Continuation/
Divisional of an
International
Application.
3................. DOCX submission of 57,044 1 57,044 0.5 28,522 435 12,407,070
Utility
Continuation/
Divisional
Applications.
4................. DOCX submission of 6,516 1 6,516 0.5 3,258 435 1,417,230
Utility
Continuation-in-
Part Applications.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals.......... 240,119 ............... 240,119 .............. 120,060 .............. 52,226,100
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ 2021 Report of the Economic Survey published by the Committee on Economics of Legal Practice of the American Intellectual Property Law Association
(AIPLA); the USPTO uses the mean IP billing rate for attorneys in private firms which is $435 per hour. (https://www.aipla.org/home/news-publications/economic-survey; pg F-27).
[[Page 37041]]
Table 2--Total Hourly Burden for Individual and Household Respondents
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated
Estimated Responses per Estimated Estimated time Estimated Rate \2\ ($/ annual
Item No. Item annual respondent annual for response burden (hour/ hour) respondent
respondents responses (hours) year) cost burden
(a) (b) (a) x (b) = (d) (c) x (d) = (f) (e) x (f) =
(c) (e) (g)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1................. DOCX submission of 5,420 1 5,420 0.5 2,710 $435 $1,178,850
Original New
Utility
Applications.
2................. DOCX submission of 192 1 192 0.5 96 435 41,760
Utility
Continuation/
Divisional of an
International
Application.
3................. DOCX submission of 1,813 1 1,813 0.5 907 435 394,545
Utility
Continuation/
Divisional
Applications.
4................. DOCX submission of 207 1 207 0.5 104 435 45,240
Utility
Continuation-in-
Part Applications.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Totals.......... 7,632 ............... 7,632 .............. 3,817 .............. 1,660,395
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Ibid.
Estimated Total Annual Respondent Non-hourly Cost Burden:
$49,588,160.
There are no maintenance costs, capital start-up costs,
recordkeeping costs, or postage associated with this information
collection. However, the USPTO estimates that the total annual (non-
hour) cost burden for this information collection, in the form of
filing fees) is $49,588,160. The USPTO expects the DOCX format adoption
rate to steadily increase as the public more fully comprehends the
nature of, and how to comply with, the format. Thus, the USPTO expects
the number of respondents that will pay the non-DOCX filing surcharge
fee to decrease by the first renewal of this collection. Additionally,
the USPTO expects the frequency and amount of any extra review time to
decrease as respondents become more comfortable with the DOCX filing
process.
Filing Fees
The items with filing fees are listed in the table below.
Table 3--Filing Fee Costs to Respondents
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Estimated
Item No. Fee code Item annual Amount Totals
responses
(a) (b) (a) x (b) =
(c)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1-4................. 1054 Non-DOCX Filing Surcharge 102,095 $400 $40,838,000
Fee (undiscounted entity).
1-4................. 2054 Non-DOCX Filing Surcharge 47,406 160 7,584,960
Fee (small entity).
1-4................. 3054 Non-DOCX Filing Surcharge 14,565 80 1,165,200
Fee (micro entity).
-----------------------------------------------
Totals................. 164,066 .............. 49,588,160
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Postage
There are no postage costs associated with items in this
information collection. The actual submission of patent applications,
and any postage cost burden, is covered by OMB control number 0651-0032
(Initial Patent Applications).
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 personally
identifiable information (PII) in a comment, be aware that the entire
comment--including PII--may be made publicly available at any time.
While you may ask in your comment to withhold PII from public view,
USPTO cannot guarantee that it will be able to do so.
Justin Isaac,
Information Collections Officer, Office of the Chief Administrative
Officer, United States Patent and Trademark Office.
[FR Doc. 2023-11913 Filed 6-5-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-16-P
