[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 199 (Friday, October 15, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 55898]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-26928]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE


Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request

    The Department of Commerce (DOC) has submitted to the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) for clearance the following proposal for 
collection of information under the provisions of the Paperwork 
Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. Chapter 35).
    Agency: Patent and Trademark Office (PTO).
    Title: Admittance to Practice and Roster of Registered Patent 
Attorneys and Agents Admitted to Practice Before the Patent and 
Trademark Office.
    Form Numbers: Form PTO-158/158A/275/107A.
    Agency Approval Number: 0651-0012.
    Type of Request: Reinstatement, with change, of an information 
collection.
    Burden: 3,557 hours per year.
    Number of Respondents: 8,100 responses per year.
    Avg. Hours Per Response: The PTO estimates that it takes the public 
30 minutes to gather the information, prepare the forms and additional 
materials (if applicable), and submit the two applications for 
registration to practice before the PTO. Although some applicants may 
be able to complete the application for registration by a foreign 
resident in less time, the PTO has found that it takes the majority of 
applicants 30 minutes to complete this application. For the undertaking 
and data sheet, the PTO estimates that it will take the public 20 
minutes to gather the information, prepare the forms and additional 
materials (if applicable) and submit them to the PTO.
    Needs and Uses: This collection of information is required by 35 
U.S.C. Secs. 31 and 37 CFR 10.5 through 10.19. The public uses the 
forms in this information collection to apply for the examination for 
registration, to ensure that all of the necessary information is 
provided to the PTO, and to request inclusion on the Register of Patent 
Attorneys and Agents. The PTO has created a separate application form 
for foreign applicants to use to apply for registration and to ensure 
that all of the necessary information is provided to the PTO. This form 
makes the application process easier and more efficient because the PTO 
does not require foreign applicants to supply the same amount of 
information as domestic applicants. This information collection also 
provides a form for former employees of the PTO who are applying for 
the examination for registration to use to certify in writing that they 
will not aid in the prosecution or preparation of any papers or 
applications associated with applications reviewed while in the employ 
of the PTO. The PTO uses this information (through the Office of 
Enrollment and Discipline) to determine if the applicant for 
registration is of good moral character and repute; has the necessary 
legal, scientific, and technical qualifications; and is otherwise 
competent to advise and assist applicants in the presentation and 
prosecution of applications for patent grants.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households, businesses or other 
for-profit, Federal government, and state, local or tribal government.
    Frequency: On occasion.
    Respondent's Obligation: Required to obtain or retain benefits.
    OMB Desk Officer: Peter Weiss, (202) 395-3630.
    Copies of the above information collection proposal can be obtained 
by calling or writing Linda Engelmeier, Departmental Forms Clearance 
Officer, (202) 482-3272, Office of the Chief Information Officer, 
Department of Commerce, Room 5033, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, 
Washington, DC 20230.
    Written comments and recommendations for the proposed information 
collection should be sent within 30 days of publication to Peter Weiss, 
OMB Desk Officer, Room 10236, New Executive Office Building, 725 17th 
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20503.

    Dated: October 6, 1999.
Linda Engelmeier,
Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information 
Officer.
[FR Doc. 99-26928 Filed 10-14-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-16-P