During the pendency of a patent
application or the period of enforceability of a patent, situations
arise that require collection of information for the PTO to further
process the patented file or the patent application. This
information can be used by the PTO to continue the processing of
the patent or application or to ensure that applicants are
complying with the patent regulations. These situations involve
responses filed by applicants to various PTO actions and may
include information disclosures and citations, requests for
extensions of time, the establishment of small entity status,
abandonment and revival....
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.