FR 2021-03847

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has issued a notice regarding an information collection request they plan to submit for review to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This request pertains to collecting data about the usage and public outreach efforts of the Patent and Trademark Resource Centers (PTRCs). The notice invites public comments for a period of 30 additional days.

General Summary of the Document

The document provides details about the USPTO's proposed collection of information from 90 respondents annually, with an estimated response time of 30 minutes per transaction. The data collection is aimed at understanding how patent and trademark services are utilized by the public and helping measure the public outreach initiatives of the PTRCs. Importantly, the notice highlights that there are no expected additional costs to the respondents for providing this information.

Significant Issues or Concerns

A noteworthy concern within the document is the lack of specificity regarding how the USPTO will evaluate the impact of the collected information. This could raise questions about transparency and accountability, as stakeholders might want clarity on how their responses contribute to potential changes or improvements in service.

Additionally, the term "metrics" in the context of the document is not clearly defined. Without a precise explanation, stakeholders may find it challenging to comprehend what specific data is being gathered and how it will be utilized.

Moreover, while the document mentions public comments, it omits details on how such feedback will be integrated into the final information collection process. This absence may lead to skepticism about whether the feedback will result in any meaningful adjustments or implementations.

Impact on the Public

Generally, this information collection could lead to improvements in how the USPTO offers its services through the PTRCs by providing insights into usage patterns and outreach effectiveness. Ideally, a more efficient and targeted service could emerge.

However, the lack of clarity and transparency in the document might create skepticism or wariness among respondents. When the objectives and outcomes of data collection are vague, it can deter participation and active engagement from the public.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For stakeholders directly involved in intellectual property, especially libraries and institutions hosting PTRCs, this collection could offer a strategic advantage by highlighting effective public engagement techniques and areas needing improvement. These stakeholders could benefit from the insights gathered, assuming that data analysis leads to actionable feedback.

Conversely, the absence of clear guidelines on how the collected data will be employed or reported back to contributors might leave these stakeholders without a clear expectation of the value or impact this exercise will have for them directly. Ideally, a more detailed breakdown of the intended use of the data could mitigate this ambiguity and align expectations with outcomes.

In conclusion, while the document aims through data collection to refine public service delivery related to patents and trademarks, greater transparency and detailed information are necessary to ensure that the process is both effective and trusted by all stakeholders involved.

The document in question primarily addresses a submission by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for the purpose of renewing an information collection request. In the context of financial references, the document provides limited information on spending or financial allocations related to this submission.

Estimated Total Annual Non-Hour Cost Burden

A key financial detail highlighted in the document is the Estimated Total Annual Non-Hour Cost Burden, which is noted to be $0. This indicates that the USPTO does not anticipate any direct monetary costs associated with the completion of this information collection process by respondents. The absence of non-hour costs suggests that the completion of the necessary documentation, submission, or any related activities does not impose tangible financial burdens on the participants, apart from their time investment.

Financial References in Context

While the document does mention a zero non-hour cost burden, this detail is not elaborated upon in relation to how it may affect broader issues noted within the document. For example, the document fails to clarify the specific metrics being collected or the detailed process by which the USPTO plans to assess and minimize the reporting burden. The absence of a financial burden could imply an operational efficiency that minimizes additional costs for respondents; however, without further information regarding how these metrics will be collected and utilized, stakeholders may feel uncertain about whether their time investment is justified.

Transparency and Utilization of Data

The lack of detailed financial information beyond the non-hour cost burden raises potential questions about transparency and the utilization of collected data. Specifically, how the potential benefits to "Participating Patent and Trademark Resource Centers" are weighed against the time investment of respondents remains unclear. While zero out-of-pocket expenses may be seen positively, understanding the broader value proposition or return on effort for participants could be beneficial, particularly in addressing any perceived ambiguity about the information collection's impact and utility.

In summary, the document highlights that participating in the information collection incurs no direct financial burden, but it leaves room for improvement in transparency regarding the value of collected data and the strategic purpose behind this initiative.