[Federal Register: June 14, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 113)]
[Notices]
[Page 32973-32974]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14jn04-37]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Forest Service
Information Collection; Woodsy Owl Official Licensee Royalty
Statement
AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.
ACTION: Notice; request for comment.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the
Forest Service announces its intention to extend an information
collection. The collected information will enable the Forest Service to
collect royalty fees for the commercial use of the Woodsy Owl symbol
and to assess the effectiveness of licensing the Woodsy Owl symbol for
commercial use. Information will be collected from individuals and from
for-profit businesses and non-profit organizations.
DATES: Comments must be received in writing on or before August 13,
2004.
ADDRESSES: Comments concerning this notice should be addressed to the
Office of Conservation Education, National Symbols Coordinator, Forest
Service, USDA, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW., Mail Stop 1147,
Washington, DC 20250-0033.
Comments also may be submitted via facsimile to (202) 690-5658 or
by e-mail to scummings@fs.fed.us.
The public may inspect comments received at the Office of
Conservation Education, Room 1C, Forest Service, USDA, 201 14th Street,
SW., Washington, DC. Visitors are urged to call ahead to (202) 205-5681
to facilitate entrance into the building.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Iris Velez, Office of Conservation
Education, at (202) 205-5681.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The Woodsy Owl-Smoky Bear Act of 1974 established the Woodsy Owl
symbol and slogan, authorized the Forest Service to manage the use of
the slogan and symbol, authorized the licensing of the symbol for
commercial use, and provided for continued protection of the symbol.
The Woodsy Owl symbol may only be used by permission of the Forest
Service. Part 272 of title 36 of the Code of Federal Regulations
authorizes the Chief of the Forest Service to approve commercial use of
the Woodsy Owl symbol and to collect royalty fees. Commercial use
includes replicating Woodsy Owl as a plush toy and replicating the
Woodsy Owl symbol or logo on items, such as tee shirts, mugs, pins,
figurines, ornaments, storybooks, stickers, and toys.
The message to the public inherent with the Woodsy Owl symbol is
about caring for the environment. Slogans associated with Woodsy Owl
are ``Give a Hoot, Don't Pollute'' and ``Lend a Hand, Care for the
Land.'' The goal of Woodsy Owl is to inspire children to observe the
natural world around them, to teach children ecological principles, and
to motivate children to join in specific actions to help care for the
environment.
Description of Information Collection
The following describes the information collection to be extended:
Title: Woodsy Owl Official Licensee Royalty Statement.
OMB Number: 0596-0087.
Expiration Date of Approval: March 31, 2004.
Type of Request: Extension.
Abstract: The Forest Service National Symbols Coordinator will
evaluate the data to determine if an individual, corporation, or
organization, requesting a license to use the Woodsy Owl symbol
[[Page 32974]]
commercially, should be granted a license or, if currently licensed, to
determine the royalty fee the licensed entity must pay to the agency
based on a percentage of the licensee's total sales and whether the
licensed entity has met its stated objectives.
An individual or corporation may apply for a Woodsy Owl license by
contacting Forest Service personnel by telephone, fax, e-mail, or by
writing to the address listed in the address section of this notice. In
the course of communicating with the potential applicant, the agency
will learn how long the individual, corporation, or organization has
been in business; the products the individual, corporation or
organization sells or plans to sell; the geographical location from
which the products will be sold; the projected sales volume; and how
the individual, corporation, or organization plans to market the
products.
If Forest Service personnel determine that granting a license to
the individual, corporation, or organization for the purpose of using
the Woodsy Owl symbol for commercial use would be in the best interest
of the agency and would promote the Woodsy Owl messages, a license
contract would be mailed to the individual, corporation or
organization. The contract would have to be completed and returned to
the Forest Service. Once the contract has been by signed by an
authorized Forest Service employee and by the individual or the
corporate or organizational representative, the newly licensed entity
will have to submit to the Forest Service the agreed upon advanced
guaranteed royalty payment. The individual, corporation, or
organization also will submit a quarterly report to the agency, using
the Woodsy Owl Licensee Royalty Statement Form, along with any royalty
fees garnered from sales that have exceeded the advanced guaranteed
royalty payment.
When making the quarterly reports, individuals, corporations, or
organizations will be asked to provide information that includes the
following: a list of each item that will be sold with the Woodsy Owl
symbol; the projected sales of each item; the price at which each item
will be sold; the total sales amount subject to the agency royalty fee;
the royalty fee due based on sales quantity and price; a description
and itemization of any deductions, such as fees waived or previously
paid as part of the advance royalty payment which is their sales
quantity guarantee; the new total royalty fee the business or
organization must pay after deductions; the running total amount of
royalties accrued in that fiscal year; and the typed name and signature
of the business or organizational employee certifying the truth of the
report.
Data gathered in this information collection are not available from
other sources.
Estimate of Annual Burden: 30 minutes.
Type of Respondents: For-profit businesses and non-profit
organizations currently holding a Woodsy Owl license or applying for
such license.
Estimated Annual Number of Respondents: 10.
Estimated Annual Number of Responses per Respondent: 4.
Estimated Total Annual Burden on Respondents: 20 hours.
The agency invites comments on the following: (a) Whether the
proposed collection of information is necessary for the stated purposes
and the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including
whether the information will have practical or scientific utility; (b)
the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed
collection of information, including the validity of the methodology
and assumptions used; (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
the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Use of Comments
All comments, including name and address when provided, will become
a matter of public record. Comments will be summarized and included in
the request for Office of Management and Budget approval.
Dated: June 4, 2004.
Robin L. Thompson,
Associate Deputy Chief, State and Private Forestry.
[FR Doc. 04-13318 Filed 6-10-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-P