[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 249 (Tuesday, December 29, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 71619-71620]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-34349]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Patent and Trademark Office
[Docket No. 981214305-8305-01]
RIN 0651-AB02


Official Insignia of Native American Tribes; Statutorily Required 
Study

AGENCY: Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce.

ACTION: Request for comments.

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SUMMARY: On October 30, 1998, President Clinton signed Public Law 105-
330. This law requires that the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) study 
a variety of issues surrounding trademark protection for the official 
insignia of federally and/or state recognized Native American tribes. 
The new law requires that the Commissioner of Patents and Trademarks 
(Commissioner) complete the study and submit a report, including the 
findings and conclusions, to the chairmen of the Committee on the 
judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House 
of Representatives, not later than September 30, 1999. This notice 
requests input that will help the PTO make an initial determination of 
how best to conduct the study, where public hearings should be held, 
and who should be consulted during the study process.

DATES: To ensure consideration, comments must be received no later than 
February 12, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments must be submitted to: Eleanor K. Meltzer, Attorney-
Advisor, Office of Legislative and International Affairs; U.S. Patent 
and Trademark Office; 2121 Crystal Drive, Suite 902; Arlington, VA 
22202. Comments may also be submitted by e-mail to: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Eleanor K. Meltzer; Telephone: 703-306-2960; E-mail: 
eleanor.meltzeruspto.gov; facsimile transmission: 703-305-8885. P.L. 
105-330 may be viewed via the Library of Congress website at: 
thomas.loc.gov

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Members of Congress have received complaints 
regarding the lack of adequate protection for the official insignia of 
Native American tribes. Title III of P.L. 105-330 requires the PTO to 
study how such official insignia may better be protected under 
trademark law. As an initial step to completing the mandated study, 
through this Notice the PTO would like comments on: (1) how best to 
conduct the study; (2) where public hearings should be held; and (3) 
who should be consulted during the study process.

Issues to be Addressed by the Study

    The final study must address a variety of issues, including the 
impact of any changes on the international legal obligations of the 
United States, the definition of ``official insignia'' of a federally 
and/or state recognized Native American tribe, and the administrative 
feasibility, including the cost, of changing current law or policy in 
light of any recommendations. to help in answering items 1-3 above, the 
following issues are raised. They are provided for informational 
purposes only. Another Federal Register notice will be published in 
1999 specifically requesting answers to the following questions.
     Defnition of ``Official Insignia''--How should the PTO 
define ``official insignia'' of a federally or state recognized Native 
American tribe?
     Establishing and Maintaining a List of Official Insignia--
How should the PTO establish a list of the official insignia of 
federally and/or state recognized Native American tribes? How should 
the PTO maintain such a list?
     Impact of Changes in Current Law or Policy--How would any 
change in law or policy with respect to prohibiting the Federal 
registration of trademarks identical to the official insignia of native 
American tribes, or of prohibiting any new use of the official insignia 
of native American tribes, affect Native American tribes? How would 
such changes affect trademark owners? How would such changes affect the 
Patent and Trademark Office? How would such changes affect any other 
interested party? What impact would any such changes have on the 
international legal obligations of the United States?
     Impact of Prohibition on Federal Registration & New Uses 
of Official Insignia--How would prohibiting Federal registration of 
trademarks identical to the official insignia of Native American tribes 
affect any/all of the above-mentioned entities? How would prohibiting 
any new use of the official insignia of Native American tribes affect 
any/all of the above-mentioned entities? What effect would such 
prohibitions have on the international legal obligations of the United 
States? What defenses, including fair use, might be raised against any 
claims of infringement?
     Administrative Feasibility--What is the administrative 
feasibility, including the cost, of changing the current law or policy, 
to prohibit the registration? What is the administrative feasibility, 
including the cost, of prohibiting any new uses of the official 
insignia of state or federally recognized Native American tribes? What 
is the administrative feasibility, including the cost, of otherwise 
providing additional protection to the official insignia of federally 
and state recognized Native American tribes?
     Timing of Changes in Protection--Should changes in the 
scope of protection for official tribal insignia be offered 
prospectively? Retrospectively? What is the impact of such protection?
     Statutory Requirements--What statutory changes would be 
necessary in order to provide such protection?
     Other Relevant Factors--What other factors, not mentioned 
above, are relevant to this issue?

[[Page 71620]]

Request for Public Comment

    The Commissioner has identified the following topics for which 
public comment is currently requested:

1. Best Method of Obtaining Public Comments

    What is the best way to obtain public comments? Should the PTO 
conduct public hearings in order to obtain comments?

2. Site of Public Hearings

    If public hearing are desirable, where should these hearings be 
conducted? If suggesting sites for public hearings, please explain the 
benefits, particularly in terms of reaching a relevant audience.

3. Persons/Organizations to Consult

    Who should be consulted in order to effectively study the impact of 
changes in trademark protection for the official insignia of Native 
American tribes? Why?
    Persons interested in commenting on the issues outlined above, or 
any other topics related to the official insignia of native American 
tribes, should submit their comments in writing to the above address. 
It is emphasized that, right now, the PTO is only requesting comments 
on Questions 1, 2, and 3 above. All comments received in response to 
this notice will become part of the public record and will be available 
for inspection and copying at Suite 902Q, Crystal Park 2, 2121 Crystal 
Drive, Arlington, Virginia.

    Dated: December 22, 1998.
Q. Todd Dickinson,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Deputy Commissioner of 
Patents and Trademarks.
[FR Doc. 98-34349 Filed 12-28-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-16-M