[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 109 (Friday, June 6, 1997)]
[Notices]
[Page 31068]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-14753]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Bureau of Economic Analysis


Proposal To Collect Information on the Annual Survey of 
Royalties, License Fees, and Other Receipts and Payments for Intangible 
Rights Between U.S. and Unaffiliated Foreign Persons

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 comment on proposed and/or continuing 
information collections, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506 (c)(2)(A)).

DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before August 5, 1997.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument and instructions should 
be directed to: R. David Belli, U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of 
Economic Analysis, BE-50(OC), Washington, DC 20230 (Telephone: 202-606-
9800)

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    The BE-93 Annual Survey of Royalties, License Fees, and Other 
Receipts and Payments for Intangible Rights Between U.S. and 
Unaffiliated Foreign Persons will obtain data on transactions in 
intangible property rights between U.S. and unaffiliated foreign 
persons in 1997 and subsequent years. The data are necessary for 
compiling monthly estimates of U.S. international transactions in goods 
and services, the U.S. balance of payments, and the national income and 
product accounts. The data also will support U.S. trade policy 
initiatives, including trade negotiations.
    To bring the annual BE-93 survey into conformity with current 
international standards, coverage of general use computer software 
royalties and license fees is being moved to the BE-93 from the BE-22 
Annual Survey of Selected Services Transactions With Unaffiliated 
Foreign Persons.

II. Method of Collection

    The survey will be sent to potential respondents in January and 
responses are due on March 31, each year following the year covered by 
the survey. All U.S. persons whose total receipts from, or total 
payments to, unaffiliated foreign persons for intangible rights equaled 
or exceeded $500,000 during the covered year are required to report. A 
U.S. person that receives a form but is not required to report data 
must file an exemption claim.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0608-0016.
    Form Number: BE-93.
    Type of Review: Regular submission.
    Affected Public: U.S. businesses and other persons receiving 
royalties and license fees from, or paying royalties and license fees 
to, unaffiliated foreign persons.
    Estimated Number of Responses: 550.
    Estimated Time Per Response: 4 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 2,200.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $66,000 (based on an estimated 
reporting burden of 2,200 hours and an estimated hourly cost of $30).

IV. Request 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 has 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 the 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 
and/or included in the request for OMB approval of this information 
collection; they also will become a matter of public record.

    Dated: June 2, 1997.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc. 97-14753 Filed 6-5-97; 8:45 a.m.]
BILLING CODE 3510-06-P