Grace Period Study Survey

OMB Control Number 0651-00xx
Approval Expires xx/xx/xxxx
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

Nonresponse Questions
How many years have you worked as a researcher in your field?
a. 0-5
b. 6-10
c. 10-25
d. 25+
Which of the following fields best describes your research?
a. Biology
b. Chemistry
c. Computer Science
d. Electrical Engineering
e. Mechanical Engineering
f. Medicine
g. Physics
h. Other
How many researchers does your department employ?
a. 1-5
b. 6-10
c. 10-25
d. 25+
Rank the following research outcomes in the order that you prioritize them. (Rank from most
important to least important.)
a. Publications
b. Grants
c. Patents
d. Other
How many patent applications have you filed between [YEAR] and [YEAR]?
a. 0
b. 1-5
c. 6-10
d. 10+
Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, persons are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB
Control Number. This survey will collect data from European scientific researchers from select European research institutions, foreign government
officials, and other stakeholders to evaluate the effects of premature disclosure of patentable inventions or ideas on researchers’ failures to apply
for or receive patents. The USPTO will use the data collected from the survey to estimate the value of lost commercial opportunities in Europe due
to the lack of adequate patent grace periods in many European countries. This collection of information is voluntary in accordance with E.O.
12862, Setting Customer Service Standards. All data collected from this survey will be kept private, to the extent of the law. Only the aggregated
data and the frequency of the responses will be reported, not the individual responses or comments about the survey. The USPTO estimates that
it will take respondents approximately 10 minutes (0.17 hours) to complete the survey, including the time to read the instructions, gather the
necessary information, complete the survey, and submit it electronically to the USPTO. The time may vary depending upon the circumstances of
the individual respondent. If you have any comments or recommendations for reducing the length of this survey or on other aspects of this
information collection, please send them to the United States Patent and Trademark Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 1450,
Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.