[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 1, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19261-19262]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10699]



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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Patent and Trademark Office


Fastener Insignia Processing

ACTION: Proposed Collection; Comment Request.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, as part of its continuing effort 
to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public 
and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on the 
proposed information collection as required by the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). The 
collection of this information is required in the performance of the 
Patent and Trademark Office's (Office) statutory and regulatory 
functions under section

[[Page 19262]]

8 of the Fastener Quality Act, Public Law 101-502.

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before July 1, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Acting 
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 
5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington D.C. 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to the attention of Lynne G. Beresford, Trademark 
Legal Administrator, at the Office of the Assistant Commissioner for 
Trademarks, 2900 Crystal Drive, Arlington, Va. 22202-3513 or by 
facsimile transmission to (703) 308-7220.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The Patent and Trademark Office (Office) is to administer the 
record-keeping function required by Section 8 of the Fastener Quality 
Act, Public Law 101-502 which provides in section 8(b) that: ``The 
Secretary shall establish, by regulation, a program to provide for the 
recordation of the insignias of the manufacturers and private label 
distributors described in subsection (a) to ensure the traceability of 
a fastener to its manufacturer or private label distributor.'' In order 
to perform this function, the Office plans to accept applications for 
recordal of fastener insignia and to maintain a listing of such 
insignia. This listing will be open to public inspection and copies 
will be available for sale to the public.
    In addition, upon request, the Office will provide manufacturers 
and private label distributors, who do not wish to record an insignia, 
with a unique alpha-numeric designation which can be used as a recorded 
insignia.
    Manufacturers and private label distributors who record insignia or 
alpha-numeric designations will be required to renew those recordals 
every five years and to notify the Office of any changes of address.

II. Method of Collection

    Mail.

III. Data

    OMB Collection Number: Unassigned.
    Form Numbers: 1652 and 1653.
    Type of Review: Regular.
    Affected Public: The forms will be used by the manufacturers and 
private label distributors of certain types of industrial fasteners. 
Use of the forms will not be mandatory and some filers will probably 
develop their own forms. The information collected will be a matter of 
public record. The purpose of collecting the information is to ensure 
that a fastener can be traced to its manufacturer or private label 
distributor.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: The Office estimates that there 
will be between 300 and 900 respondents.
    Estimated Time Per Response: The Office estimates that applicants 
will need 10 minutes to complete the application or the renewal form.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 100 (600 applications @ 10 
minutes each).
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $1,100.

IV. Requests for Comments

    Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of 
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of 
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical 
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden 
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information; 
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the 
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of 
collection of information on respondents, including through the use of 
automated collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology.
    Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized or 
included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: April 25, 1996.
Linda Engelmeier,
Acting Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 96-10699 Filed 4-30-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-16-P