The Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) pilot program between the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the Japan Patent Office (JPO) allows applicants whose claims are determined to be patentable in the office of first filing to have the corresponding application that is filed in the office of second filing be advanced out of turn for examination. At the same time, this program enables the office of second filing to exploit the search and examination results of the office of first filing, which increases examination efficiency and improves patent quality. The USPTO is revising the existing Form PTO/SB/20 in order to accommodate participation in the PPH Program by the United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO). The revised form does not include any additional information requirements. The USPTO believes that the primary respondents will be businesses or other for-profits, but not-for-profit institutions may also submit information under this collection.
The program change is due to the inclusion of the UKIPO in the PPH Pilot Program, which will result in an estimated burden increase of 250 responses, 500 hours, and $32,500 in annual (non-hour) costs for this information collection.
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:
(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;
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.