Patent Processing (Updating)

OMB Control No: 0651-0031	ICR Reference No: 200202-0651-001
Status: Historical Active	Previous ICR Reference No: 200106-0651-002
Agency/Subagency: DOC/PTO	Agency Tracking No:
Title: Patent Processing (Updating)
Type of Information Collection: No material or nonsubstantive change to a currently approved collection	Common Form ICR:  No
Type of Review Request: Regular
OIRA Conclusion Action: Approved without change	Conclusion Date: 02/14/2002
Retrieve Notice of Action (NOA)	Date Received in OIRA: 02/14/2002
Terms of Clearance:

	Inventory as of this Action	Requested	Previously Approved
Expiration Date	10/31/2002	10/31/2002	10/31/2002
Responses	2,247,270	0	2,247,389
Time Burden (Hours)	1,021,822	0	1,021,941
Cost Burden (Dollars)	15,251,000	0	15,251,000

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Abstract: During the pendency of a patent application or the period of enforceability of a patent, situations arise that require collection of information for the USPTO to further process the patented file or the patent application, The American Inventors Protection Act of 1999 amended 35 U.S.C. 132 to provide that the USPTO may prescribe regulations for the continued examination of applications (for a fee) at the request of the applicant (Request for Continued Examination (RCE)). The USPTO plans to publish a proposed rule eliminating continued prosecution applications for utility and plant applicantions, in favor of this new RCE

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Authorizing Statute(s): None

Citations for New Statutory Requirements: None

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Associated Rulemaking Information
RIN:	Stage of Rulemaking:	Federal Register Citation:	Date:

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Federal Register Notices & Comments

Did the Agency receive public comments on this ICR? No

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Number of Information Collection (IC) in this ICR: 1

IC Title Form No. Form Name Patent Processing (Updating) PTO/SB/08A/08B, 21/22/23/24/25, 26/27/30/31/35, 36/42/43/61, 61/PCT/62/63/64, 64PCT/67/68/91, 92/96/97, PTO/SB/32/37, PTO-2053-A/B, PTO-2054-A/B

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ICR Summary of Burden

	Total Approved	Previously Approved	Change Due to New Statute	Change Due to Agency Discretion	Change Due to Adjustment in Estimate	Change Due to Potential Violation of the PRA
Annual Number of Responses	2,247,270	2,247,389	0	-119	0	0
Annual Time Burden (Hours)	1,021,822	1,021,941	0	-119	0	0
Annual Cost Burden (Dollars)	15,251,000	15,251,000	0	0	0	0

Burden increases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: No

Burden Increase Due to:

Burden decreases because of Program Change due to Agency Discretion: Yes

Burden Reduction Due to:

Short Statement:

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Annual Cost to Federal Government: $0

Does this IC contain surveys, censuses, or employ statistical methods? No

Is the Supporting Statement intended to be a Privacy Impact Assessment required by the E-Government Act of 2002? No

Is this ICR related to the Affordable Care Act [Pub. L. 111-148 & 111-152]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, [Pub. L. 111-203]? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)? Uncollected

Is this ICR related to the Pandemic Response? Uncollected

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Common Form ICR:  No

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On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
		(a) It is necessary for the proper performance of agency functions;
		(b) It avoids unnecessary duplication;
		(c) It reduces burden on small entities;
		(d) It uses plain, coherent, and unambiguous language that is understandable to respondents;
		(e) Its implementation will be consistent and compatible with current reporting and recordkeeping practices;
		(f) It indicates the retention periods for recordkeeping requirements;
		(g) It informs respondents of the information called for under 5 CFR 1320.8 (b)(3) about:
			(i) Why the information is being collected;
			(ii) Use of information;
			(iii) Burden estimate;
			(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
			(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
			(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
		(h) It was developed by an office that has planned and allocated resources for the efficient and effective management and use of the information to be collected.
		(i) It uses effective and efficient statistical survey methodology (if applicable); and
		(j) It makes appropriate use of information technology.
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Certification Date: 02/14/2002

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