Maintenance fees are required under
title 35 of the U.S. Code to maintain a patent, other than a design
or plant patent, in force. Payment of maintenance fees is required
at 3-1/2, 7-1/2, and 11-1/2 years from the date the patent is
granted. The patent number and application number of the patent for
which a maintenance fee is paid are required by the PTO in order to
identify the patent and ensure proper crediting of fee payments.
The affected public includes any individual or institution whose
application for a patent has been allowed and who desires that the
patent remain in force.
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.