96-4907. Rules for Patent Maintenance Fees

[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 43 (Monday, March 4, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8262-8263]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-4907]



-----------------------------------------------------------------------


DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Rules for Patent Maintenance Fees

ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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 
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 May 3, 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, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Request for additional information or 
copies of the information collection instrument(s) and instructions 
should be directed to Robert J. Spar, Patent and Trademark Office, 
Washington, DC 20231, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Abstract

    Maintenance fees are required to maintain a patent in force under 
Title 35 of the U.S. Code. Payment of maintenance fees are required at 
3\1/2\, 7\1/2\ and 11\1/2\ years after the grant of the patent. A 
patent number and serial number of the patent on which maintenance fees 
are paid are required in order to insure proper crediting of such 
payments.

II. Method of collection

    By mail, facsimile or hand-carry when the applicant or agent is to 
pay the maintenance fee required to maintain the benefit patent 
protection.

III. Data

    OMB Number: 0651-0016.
    Form Number: PTO/SB/45.
    Type of Review: Regular.
    Affected Public: Individuals or households, business or other non-
profit institutions, not-for-profit institutions, and Federal 
Government.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 104,569.
    Estimated Time Per Response: .08 hours.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 8,714 hours/year.
    Estimated Total Annual Cost: $43,570/year.

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, 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. 

[[Page 8263]]

    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: February 27, 1996.
Linda Engelmeier,
Acting Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and 
Organization.
[FR Doc 96-4907 Filed 3-1-96; 8:45 a.m.]
BILLING CODE 3510-16-P