The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is required by 35 U.S.C. 41(i)(1) to maintain a Public Search Facility to make
publically accessible USPTO patent and trademark collections for search and retrieval. The Public Search Facility is located in a publicly accessible portion of USPTO headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia, and offers the public access to the collectionâs paper, microfilm, and electronic files and trained staff to assist users with searches. The USPTO also offers training courses to assist users with the advanced electronic search systems available at the facility. This information collection covers information collected in applications required for those members of the public who wish to use the electronic search systems at the Public Search Facility to establish a USPTO online access account, and to obtain, renew, or replace online access accounts. The public may apply for an online access account at the Public Search Facility reference desk by providing the necessary information and proper identification. The access account includes a bar-coded user number and an expiration date. Users may renew their account by validating and updating the required information and may obtain a replacement for a lost account information by providing proper identification. Users who wish to register for the voluntary training courses may do so by completing the appropriate form. This information collection also covers information in applications to establish, renew, or replace security identification badges issued, under the authority provided in 41 CFR part 102â 81, to members of the public who wish to access the Public Search Facility. Users may apply for a security badge in person at the USPTO Security Office by providing the necessary information and presenting a valid form of identification with photograph. The security badges include a color photograph of the user and must be worn at all times while at the USPTO facilities.
The total respondent cost burden for this information collection has decreased by $30,286.25 (from $145,750 to $145,912) from the previous renewal of this information collection in 2018:
⢠Increase in hourly rates. The 2018 renewal used an estimated rate of $213 per hour for respondents to this information collection, which came from the estimated attorney rate of $438 per hour and the paraprofessional rate of $148 per hour. For the current renewal, the USPTO is using updated hourly rates of $400 for attorneys and $145 for paraprofessionals, which yields a revised average of $273 per hour for respondents.
⢠Decreases in estimated burden hours. The total estimated burden hours have decreased from 500 in the 2018 renewal to 474 in the current renewal due to adjustments of the estimated response time.
Changes in Responses and Burden Hours
For this renewal, the USPTO estimates that the annual responses will decrease by 325 (from 6,250 to 5,925) and the total burden hours will decrease by 26 (from 500 to 474) from the currently approved burden for this information collection.
Changes in Annual (Non-hour) Costs
For this renewal, the USPTO estimates that the total annual (non-hour) costs will increase by $3 (from $1,502 to $1,505) due to an increase in postage costs.
$8,700
No
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No
Terry Howard 571 272-3258
No
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.
Replace Security Identification Badge (Individuals or Households)