Department of Commerce February 21, 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

As part of its initiatives to expand access to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO or Office), the USPTO proposes to amend the rules regarding admission to practice before the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB or Board) in proceedings under the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (AIA proceedings) to give parties the option to designate non-registered practitioners who are recognized pro hac vice (i.e., granted recognition in a specific PTAB proceeding) as lead counsel; excuse parties from the requirement to designate back-up counsel upon a showing of good cause such as a lack of resources to hire two counsel; establish a streamlined alternative procedure for recognizing counsel pro hac vice that is available when counsel has previously been recognized pro hac vice in a different PTAB proceeding; and clarify that those recognized pro hac vice have a duty to inform the Board of subsequent events that render inaccurate or incomplete representations they made to obtain pro hac vice recognition.

We, NMFS, are issuing a final rule to list the Atlantic humpback dolphin (Sousa teuszii) as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), in response to a petition from the Animal Welfare Institute, the Center for Biological Diversity, and VIVA Vaquita. We have reviewed the status of the Atlantic humpback dolphin, including efforts being made to protect the species, and considered public comments submitted on the proposed listing rule as well as new information received since publication of the proposed rule. Based on all of this information, we have determined that the Atlantic humpback dolphin warrants listing as an endangered species. We will not designate critical habitat for this species, because the geographical areas occupied by this species are entirely outside U.S. jurisdiction.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announces that the National Artificial Intelligence Advisory Committee (NAIAC or Committee) will hold a public briefing session virtually via web conference on March 5, 2024, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. eastern time. The primary purpose of this meeting is for the Committee to examine the concept of ``AI safety'' through the testimony of a group of experts, followed by questions and discussion.