[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 27, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36520-36523]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-10085]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Patent and Trademark Office
Admittance To Practice and Roster of Registered Patent Attorneys
and Agents Admitted To Practice Before the United States Patent and
Trademark Office (USPTO)
ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.
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SUMMARY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), 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 continuing information collection, 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 28, 2006.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
E-mail: [email protected]. Include ``0651-0012 comment'' in the
subject line of the message.
Fax: 571-273-0112, marked to the attention of Susan Brown.
[[Page 36521]]
Mail: Susan K. Brown, Records Officer, Office of the Chief
Information Officer, Architecture, Engineering and Technical Services,
Data Architecture and Services Division, U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information
should be directed to the attention of Christine Nucker, U.S. Patent
and Trademark Office, Mail Stop OED, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA
22313-1450; by telephone at 571-272-6071; or by e-mail at http://[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Abstract
This collection of information is required by 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(2)(D),
which permits the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to
establish regulations governing the recognition and conduct of agents,
attorneys or other persons representing applicants or other parties
before the USPTO. This statute also permits the USPTO to require
information from applicants that shows that they are of good moral
character and reputation and have the necessary qualifications to
assist applicants with the patent process and to represent them before
the USPTO.
The USPTO administers the statute through 37 CFR 1.21, 10.14 and
11.5 to 11.11. These rules address the requirements to apply for the
examination for registration and to demonstrate eligibility to be a
registered attorney or agent before the USPTO, including the fee
requirements. The Office of Enrollment and Discipline (OED) collects
information to determine the qualifications of individuals entitled to
represent applicants before the USPTO in the preparation and
prosecution of applications for a patent. The OED also collects
information to administer and maintain the roster of attorneys and
agents registered to practice before the USPTO. Information concerning
registered attorneys and agents is published by the OED in a public
roster that can be accessed through the USPTO Web site.
The information in this collection is used by the USPTO to review
applications for the examination for registration and to determine
whether an applicant may be added to, or an existing practitioner may
remain on, the Register of Patent Attorneys and Agents.
There are five forms associated with this information collection.
Fourteen new requirements and three new forms are being introduced into
this collection. The three new forms are Annual Practitioner
Registration Fee (Form PTO-2126), Sponsor Application for USPTO CLE
Course Approval (PTO-2149), and Certification of Attendance at USPTO
Approved CLE Training (PTO-2150).
II. Method of Collection
By mail to the USPTO when the individual desires to participate in
the information collection.
III. Data
OMB Number: 0651-0012.
Form Number(s): PTO-158, PTO-158A, PTO/275, PTO-107A and PTO-1209.
New forms being introduced into the collection are PTO-2126, PTO-2149
and PTO-2150.
Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection.
Affected Public: Individuals or households; business or other for-
profit; the Federal Government; and state, local or tribal governments.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 72,122 responses per year.
Estimated Time per Response: The USPTO estimates that it will take
the public approximately 5 minutes to 40 hours, depending upon the
complexity of the situation, to gather, prepare, and submit the various
documents in this information collection.
Estimated Total Annual Respondent Burden Hours: 89,475 hours per
year.
Estimated Total Annual Respondent Cost Burden: 20,707,900. The cost
to respondents for taking the registration examination is estimated to
be at the rate of 39 per hour, for a cost burden of 955,500. The USPTO
estimates that the remaining items in this collection will be prepared
by associate attorneys in private firms. Using the professional hourly
rate of 304 per hour for associate attorneys in private firms, the
USPTO estimates 19,752,400 per year in respondent cost burden
associated with the remaining items in this information collection.
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Estimated Estimated
Item Estimated time for response annual annual burden
responses hours
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application for Registration to Practice 30 minutes...................... 3,500 1,750
Before the United States Patent and Trademark
Office (includes both the computerized exam
and the USPTO-administered exam): Form PTO-
158.
Application for Registration to Practice 30 minutes...................... 100 50
Before the United States Patent and Trademark
Office (former examiners; examination
waived): Form PTO-158.
Application for Registration to Practice 30 minutes...................... 100 50
Before the United States Patent and Trademark
Office Under 37 CFR 11.6(c) by a Foreign
Resident (applicant does not take the exam):
Form PTO-158A.
Registration Examination to Become a 7 hours......................... 3,500 24,500
Registered Practitioner.
Undertaking under 37 CFR 11.10(b): PTO/275.... 20 minutes...................... 520 172
Data Sheet--Register of Patent Attorneys and 10 minutes...................... 1,995 339
Agents (individuals passing the registration
exam): PTO-107A.
Data Sheet--Register of Patent Attorneys and 10 minutes...................... 100 17
Agents (Foreign applicants): PTO-107A.
Data Sheet--Register of Patent Attorneys and 10 minutes...................... 100 17
Agents (former examiners seeking
registration): PTO-107A.
Oath or Affirmation: PTO-1209................. 5 minutes....................... 2,195 176
Reinstatement to the Register: PTO-107A....... 10 minutes...................... 60 10
Written Request for Reconsideration and 90 minutes...................... 5 8
Further Review of Disapproval Notice of
Application.
Petitions to the Director of the Office of 45 minutes...................... 2 2
Enrollment and Discipline.
Petition for Reinstatement after Disciplinary 40 hours........................ 4 160
Removal.
Annual Practitioner Registration Fee: Form PTO- 10 minutes...................... 24,920 4,236
2126.
Annual Fee, Limited Recognition: Form PTO-2126 10 minutes...................... 200 34
Voluntary Inactive Status: Form PTO-2126...... 10 minutes...................... 2,000 340
Request for Restoration to Active Status from 10 minutes...................... 700 119
Voluntary Inactive Status: Form PTO-2126.
Balance Due on Restoration to Active Status 10 minutes...................... 700 119
from Voluntary Inactive Status: Form PTO-2126.
Delinquency Fee: Form PTO-2126................ 10 minutes...................... 2,100 357
[[Page 36522]]
Reinstatement Fee: (fee required to be paid 10 minutes...................... 420 71
after the due date of the required annual
fee): Form PTO-2126.
Sponsor Application for USPTO Continuing Legal 1 hour.......................... 350 350
Education (CLE): Form PTO-2149.
Certification of Attendance at USPTO-approved 1 hour.......................... 350 350
CLE Training: Form PTO-2150.
Practitioner Request for Paper Version of CLE. 5 minutes....................... 100 8
On-line Version of the Seminar CLE............ 2 hours......................... 28,000 56,000
Paper Version of the CLE...................... 2 hours......................... 100 200
Practitioner's supporting documentation for a 40 hours........................ 1 40
motion to hold in abeyance a disciplinary
proceeding because of a current disability or
addiction.
-------------------------------
Total..................................... ................................ 72,122 89,475
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Estimated Total Annual (non-hour) Respondent Cost Burden:
3,940,412. There are no capital start-up or maintenance costs
associated with this information collection. There are, however, non-
hour costs due to record keeping requirements, filing fees, and postage
costs.
There are record keeping costs as a result of the Oath which
includes a notary public requirement. The average fee for having a
document notarized is 2. The USPTO estimates that it will receive 2,195
responses to this information collection per year as a result of this
notary requirement, for a total cost of 4,390 per year.
There are also filing fees associated with this collection. The
application fees for registration to practice before the USPTO vary
depending on whether the applicant is a current applicant, a former
examiner, or a foreign resident. The fee for administration of the
computerized examination to become a registered patent practitioner
also varies depending on how the examination is administered. The total
annual non-hour cost burden associated with filing fees is 3,919,900.
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Total non-hour
Item Responses Filing fee ($) cost burden
(a) x (b)
(a) (b) (c)
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Application for Registration to Practice Before the United 3,500 $40.00 $140,000.00
States Patent and Trademark Office.............................
Registration examination fee for administration of computerized 25 450.00 11,250.00
examination to become a registered patent practitioner
administered by the USPTO (USPTO-administered exam)............
Registration examination fee for administration of computerized 3,475 200.00 695,000.00
examination to become a registered patent practitioner
administered by a commercial entity (Computer exam)............
Application for Registration to Practice Before the United 100 40.00 4,000.00
States Patent and Trademark Office, as applicable when used for
registration fees only (former examiners; examination waived)..
Application for Registration to Practice Before the United 100 40.00 4,000.00
States Patent and Trademark Office Under 37 CFR 11.6(c) by a
Foreign Resident (examination waived)..........................
Undertaking under 37 CFR 11.10(b)............................... 520 0 0.00
Data Sheet--Register of Patent Attorneys and Agents (includes 2,195 100.00 219,500.00
applicants that passed the examination, former examiners, and
foreign applicants)............................................
Oath or Affirmation............................................. 2,195 0 0.00
Reinstatement to the Register................................... 60 40.00 2,400.00
Written Request for Reconsideration and further review of 5 130.00 650.00
Disapproval Notice of Application..............................
Petition to the Director of the Office of Enrollment and 2 130.00 260.00
Discipline.....................................................
Petition for Reinstatement after Disciplinary Removal........... 4 1,600.00 6,400.00
Annual Practitioner Registration Fee............................ 24,920 100.00 2,492,000.00
Annual Fee, Limited Recognition................................. 200 100.00 20,000.00
Voluntary Inactive Status....................................... 2,000 25.00 50,000.00
Request for Restoration to Active from Voluntary Inactive Status 700 50.00 35,000.00
Balance Due on Restoration to Active from Voluntary Inactive 700 75.00 52,500.00
Status.........................................................
Delinquency Fee (fee paid after the due date and for CLE)....... 2,100 50.00 105,000.00
Reinstatement Fee (required to be paid after the due date of the 420 100.00 42,000.00
required annual fee or CLE)....................................
Sponsor Application for USPTO CLE............................... 350 60.00 21,000.00
Certification of Attendance at USPTO-approved CLE Training...... 350 0 0.00
Practitioner request for paper version of CLE program and 100 75.00 7,500.00
furnished narrative............................................
Online version of the Seminar CLE............................... 28,000 0 0.00
Paper version of the CLE........................................ 100 0 0.00
Practitioner's supporting documentation for a motion to hold in 1 11,440.00 11,440.00
abeyance a disciplinary proceeding because of a current
disability or addiction........................................
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Total....................................................... 72,122 .............. 3,919,900.00
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The General Requirements Bulletin for Admission to the Examination
for Registration to Practice in Patent Cases before the USPTO states
that all business with the USPTO should be transacted in writing. The
actions of the OED will be based exclusively on the written record in
the USPTO (37 CFR 1.2). Personal attendance is
[[Page 36523]]
unnecessary. All documents may be submitted to the USPTO by first-class
mail through the United States Postal Service. Mailed submissions
should include a certificate of mailing for each piece of
correspondence enclosed, stating the date of deposit or transmission to
the USPTO. The USPTO estimates that the average first-class postage
cost for responses to this collection will vary from 39 cents for one
ounce to $4.05, depending on the individual submission. The total
annual non-hour cost burden associated with postage costs is $16,122.
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Total non-hour
Item Responses Postage cost cost burden
($) (a) x (b)
(a) (b) (c)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Application for Registration to Practice Before the United 3,500 $0.63 $2,205.00
States Patent and Trademark Office (includes both the
computerized exam and the USPTO-administered exam).............
Application for Registration to Practice Before the United 100 0.63 63.00
States Patent and Trademark Office (former examiners;
examination waived)............................................
Application for Registration to Practice Before the United 100 0.39 39.00
States Patent and Trademark Office Under 37 CFR 11.6(c) by a
Foreign Resident (applicant does not take the exam)............
Registration Examination to become a Registered Practitioner.... 3,500 0 0.00
Undertaking under 37 CFR 11.10(b)............................... 520 0 0.00
Data Sheet--Register of Patent Attorneys and Agents (includes 2,195 0.39 856.00
applicants that passed the examination, former examiners, and
foreign applicants)............................................
Oath or Affirmation............................................. 2,195 0 0.00
Reinstatement to the Register................................... 60 0.39 23.00
Written Request for Reconsideration and further review of 5 0.63 3.00
Disapproval Notice of Application..............................
Petition to the Director of the Office of Enrollment and 2 1.59 3.00
Discipline.....................................................
Petition for Reinstatement after Disciplinary Removal........... 4 0.87 3.00
Annual Practitioner Registration Fee............................ 24,920 0.39 9,719.00
Annual Fee, Limited Recognition................................. 200 0.39 78.00
Voluntary Inactive Status....................................... 2,000 0.39 780.00
Request for Restoration to Active from Voluntary Inactive Status 700 0.39 273.00
Balance Due on Restoration to Active from Voluntary Inactive 700 0.39 273.00
Status.........................................................
Delinquency Fee (fee paid after the due date and for CLE)....... 2,100 0.39 819.00
Reinstatement Fee (required to be paid after the due date of the 420 0.39 164.00
required annual fee or CLE)....................................
Sponsor Application for USPTO CLE............................... 350 1.59 557.00
Certification of Attendance at USPTO Approved CLE Training...... 350 0.63 221.00
Practitioner request for paper version of CLE program and 100 0.39 39.00
furnished narrative............................................
On-line version of the Seminar CLE.............................. 28,000 0 0.00
Paper version of the CLE........................................ 100 0 0.00
Practitioner's supporting documentation for a motion to hold in 1 4.05 4.00
abeyance a disciplinary proceeding because of a current
disability or addiction........................................
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Total....................................................... 72,122 .............. 16,122.00
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The USPTO estimates that the total (non-hour) respondent cost
burden for this collection in the form of record keeping costs, filing
fees, and postage costs is $3,940,412.
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 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 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 or
included in the request for OMB approval of this information
collection; they will also become a matter of public record.
Dated: June 20, 2006.
Susan K. Brown,
Records Officer, USPTO, Office of the Chief Information Officer,
Architecture, Engineering and Technical Services, Data Architecture and
Services Division.
[FR Doc. E6-10085 Filed 6-26-06; 8:45 am]
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