[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 5 (Monday, January 8, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Page 573]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-204]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Customs Service


Paperless Notification Concerning the Recordation of Intellectual 
Property Rights Information

AGENCY: Customs Service, Treasury.

ACTION: General notice.

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SUMMARY: This notice advises the public that the Intellectual Property 
Rights (IPR) Branch of Customs will no longer notify Customs officers 
and the public of trademark and copyright recordations through the 
issuance of paper circulars or directives, but rather that all such 
future notifications will be accomplished by means of the IPR module 
developed for the Automated Commercial System (ACS). Customs will 
furnish a print screen of the first page of IPR module text and a video 
image to interested members of the public upon request.

EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John F. Atwood, Chief, Intellectual 
Property Rights Branch, Office of Regulations and Rulings, (202) 482-
6960.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Prior to creating the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Task Force 
and IPR Branch, the principal vehicle for notifying Customs officers 
and the public of trademark and copyright recordations was through the 
issuance of paper ``circulars'' or ``directives''. During 1989-1990, an 
IPR module was developed for the Automated Commercial System (ACS) and 
the basic information and images on all outstanding recordations 
transferred to that program, along with the addition of all new 
recordations. Currently, that database is approaching 20,000 and more 
than 1,500 new recordations are added each year.
    A comparative analysis of the existing paper recordation 
notification system with the paperless ACS/IPR module indicates that 
substantial monetary savings and increased efficiency will result by 
eliminating the paper system. Because of the ongoing conversion to 
Local Area Networks (LANs), Customs officers now have the ability to 
call up both the text and images (in the case of word trademarks, an 
image may not be entered into the system). Accordingly, as of January 
1, 1996, the IPR Branch in the Office of Regulations & Rulings will no 
longer issue paper circulars and directives concerning trademark and 
copyright recordations; the ACS/IPR module will become the sole tool 
for basic consultation on those matters.
    As to the public availability of recordations, use of the Customs 
Electronic Bulletin Board (CEBB)(``Help'' number (703) 440-6236) is 
encouraged. Text on the CEBB identifies the recorded trademark or 
copyright, its owner, a contact person, and whether the trademark or 
copyright receives so-called ``gray market'' import restriction. On a 
monthly basis, beginning with the July 17, 1991, edition, the Customs 
Bulletin has published a brief reference of all trademark and copyright 
recordations (including all those recorded prior to July 17, 1991 ). 
Upon request, Customs officers will furnish a print screen of the first 
page of IPR module text for a trademark or copyright with any 
references to licensees in recordations prior to January 1, 1996, 
deleted. Beginning on January 1, 1996, recordation texts will not 
include licensee information on the first page (not all recordations 
show licensees).
    Since video images are not currently available through the CEBB, 
Customs officers will provide a relevant image upon request from the 
public.
    In addition to financial savings, by narrowing the administration 
of trademark and copyright recordations to the one automated system, 
this will permit the IPR Branch to concentrate on improving and 
refining the ACS/IPR module. Substantive questions about disclosure and 
IPR recordations should be directed to the IPR Branch at (202) 482-
6960.

    Dated: January 2, 1996.
Michael H. Lane,
Acting Commissioner of Customs.
[FR Doc. 96-204 Filed 1-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4820-02-P