[Federal Register: April 3, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 64)] [Notices] [Page 16473-16474] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr03ap98-36] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Patent and Trademark Office Patent Application Bibliographic Data Entry Format (Proposed Addition to Package 0651-0032--Initial Patent Application) ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (DOC) and the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO), as part of their continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invite the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on the proposed addition to a continuing information collection, as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. 104-13 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)). DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before June 2, 1998. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20230. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or instructions should be directed to the attention of Jeff Cochran, Director, Office of Electronic Document Programs, telephone number (703) 306-3449 or by e-mail at jeff.cochran@uspto.gov. All correspondence should be addressed to Patent Application Data Entry Format, c/o Jeff Cochran, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Crystal Park 3, Suite 700, 2231 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract The Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) plans to accept from applicants, on a voluntary basis, papers containing the bibliographic information for a patent application in a specific format termed a ``Patent Application Data Entry Format.'' This format groups the bibliographic information into different information sections composed of headings and labels. Providing the bibliographic information for a patent application to the PTO in the Patent Application Data Entry Format will enable the PTO to automate the data entry process for the application. The purpose of the program is three fold. First, the system will improve the quality of Filing Receipt information mailed by the PTO to applicants. Second, the program will provide the PTO with experience in establishing a simplified system that completely captures the bibliographic information for all patent applications. Third, the system will accurately and directly feed this bibliographic information into the PTO's automated electronic information management systems. II. Method of Collection The initial patent application may be filed by mail or hand- delivery to the PTO, and a continued prosecution application may also be filed by facsimile. Papers submitted subsequently during the prosecution of an application may be filed by mail, facsimile, or hand- delivery. The PTO is preparing a publication entitled Guide for Preparing the Patent Application Data Entry Format which describes the format and provides instructions for completing the information sections. Information concerning the Guide for Preparing the Patent Application Data Entry Format may be obtained by contacting Jeff Cochran (refer to the ``For Further Information'' section of this notice for the necessary details). The Patent Application Data Entry Format is not a PTO form, but a format for entering data. This format may be created either by directly typing the bibliographic information on blank sheets of paper in the specified format (using a typewriter or word processor), or by using electronic templates in a word processor. Applicants will be encouraged, but not required, to provide bibliographic information for applications in the Patent Application Data Entry Format. When this program is implemented, the PTO will provide a copy of the Guide for Preparing the Patent Application Data Entry Format, as well the electronic templates for Microsoft Word'' and WordPerfect'' word processing programs, on its Internet Web site. III. Data OMB Number: 0651-0032. Type of Review: Revision of a currently approved collection. Affected Public: Any individual filing a patent application. Estimated Number of Respondents: 243,100 responses per year. Estimated Time Per Response: 7.88 hours. Please note that this figure is an average based upon the number of each type of application received by the PTO per year times the amount of time that it takes an applicant to complete each type of application. This total is then divided by the total number of applications submitted per year. Estimated Total Annual Respondent Burden Hours: 1,915,500 hours per year. Estimated Total Annual Respondent Cost Burden: $335,212,500 per year. Note: The addition of the ``Patent Application Data Entry Format'' does not change either the burden hours or the number of responses already reported for this collection. This format simply suggests a particular arrangement for the bibliographic data that is already requested in this collection, and as such, does not change or affect the burden hour estimates for this information collection. IV. Request for Comments With respect to the following collections of information, comments are invited on: (a) whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the agency's functions, including whether the information will have practical [[Page 16474]] 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, when appropriate, 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: March 30, 1998. Linda Engelmeier, Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and Organization. [FR Doc. 98-8753 Filed 4-2-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-16-P