Pre-approval
contingent upon no substantive changes to this collection after
adoption of the final rule. Otherwise this collection should be
re-submitted to OMB for review.
Inventory as of this Action
Requested
Previously Approved
02/29/2020
36 Months From Approved
745
0
0
1,185
0
0
1,058
0
0
This rulemaking is required by Public
Law 113-227 (Dec. 16, 2014). This law requires the United States
Patent and Trademark Office (“Office” or “USPTO”) Director to
establish regulations and procedures for application to, and
participation in, the USPTO Law School Clinic Certification
Program. This law removed the “pilot” status of the USPTO’s
existing law school clinic certification program. The program
allows students enrolled in a participating law school’s clinic to
practice patent or trademark law before the USPTO under the direct
supervision of a faculty clinic supervisor. Each clinic provides
legal services on a pro bono basis for clients who qualify for
assistance from the law school’s clinic. These students gain
valuable experience drafting, filing, and prosecuting patent and
trademark applications that would otherwise be unavailable to
students while in law school. The program also facilitates the
provision of pro bono services to trademark and patent applicants
who lack the financial resources necessary for traditional legal
representation. The proposed rules incorporate the requirements and
procedures developed and implemented during the pilot phase of the
program.
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.