In February 2014, President Obama
issued an Executive Action calling on the USPTO to expand the
existing patent pro bono programs to all 50 states in the country.
In support of this Executive Action, the USPTO—in collaboration
with various non-profit organizations—has established a series of
autonomous regional hubs that act as matchmakers to help connect
low-income inventors with volunteer patent attorneys across the
United States. The Regional Program Administrator Survey collects
information about the services being provided by each region. This
information will help the USPTO determine which regional hubs are
operating efficiently and which programs need additional
support.
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.