[Federal Register: December 7, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 234)] [Notices] [Page 68332-68333] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr07de99-28] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Patent and Trademark Office Request/Petition for Specialized Concurrent Handling Procedure ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (DoC), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on this new 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 February 7, 2000. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 5027, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230 or via the Internet at LEngelme@doc.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information should be directed to the attention of Magdalen Greenlief, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Office of the Deputy Assistant Commissioner for Patent Policy and Projects, Crystal Park 2, Suite 910, Washington, DC 20231, by telephone at (703) 305-8813, by facsimile transmission to (703) 305-8825, or by e-mail to mgreenlief@uspto.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract The Patent and Trademark Office (PTO), in cooperation with the European Patent Office (EPO) and the Japanese Patent Office (JPO) is conducting a pilot program for concurrent searches to be performed on corresponding applications that are filed in the Trilateral Offices (PTO, EPO, and JPO). The emphasis of this pilot program is to promote: (1) Greater mutual understanding and further technical cooperation among the Trilateral Offices; (2) increased sharing of information among the Trilateral Offices; and (3) enhanced knowledge transfer with respect to both working methods and search tools. The Trilateral Offices agreed to limit the number of applications for the pilot program to 200 applications. The Trilateral Offices are evaluating the program to determine whether it should be expanded to include other types of applications. Prior to June of 2000, the pilot program will be evaluated by the Trilateral Offices to determine whether it should be modified or expanded. To assist applicants in requesting participation in the concurrent search pilot program, the PTO has created a form for this purpose. The form may be used in the PTO. The form, ``Request/Petition for Specialized Concurrent Handling Procedure'', permits the applicant to indicate the application numbers and filing dates of the corresponding applications filed in the EPO and the JPO, to indicate when the set of claims for concurrent search will be filed, and to authorize whether the PTO can communicate with the EPO and the JPO concerning any subject matter of the U.S. application and whether the patent examiners may use e-mail to communicate with each other regarding the applications referenced in this form. II. Method of Collection By mail, facsimile, and hand carry when the individual desires to participate in the information collection. III. Data OMB Number: None. Form Number: PTO Form No. (form number not yet assigned). Type of Review: New information collection. Affected Public: Individuals or households, businesses or other for-profit, not-for-profit institutions, farms, Federal state, local or tribal government. Estimated Number of Respondents: 200 responses per year. Estimated Time Per Response: It is estimated to take approximately 12 minutes to complete a request/petition for specialized concurrent handling procedure for a particular application. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 40 hours per year. Estimated Total Annual Cost Burden: $0 (no capital start-up/ maintenance costs expenditures are required). $7,000 per year is estimated for salary costs associated with respondents. [[Page 68333]] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Estimated Estimated Title of form Estimated time annual burden annual for response hours responses ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Request/Petition for Specialized Concurrent Handling Procedure.. 0.20 40 200 Totals...................................................... .............. 40 200 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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, e.g., 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: December 1, 1999. Linda Engelmeier, Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of the Chief Information Officer, Office of Management and Organization. [FR Doc. 99-31644 Filed 12-6-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-16-P