[Federal Register: September 3, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 171)]
[Notices]
[Page 54086-54087]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr03se10-36]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Patent and Trademark Office
Global Intellectual Property Academy Program Survey
ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request.
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SUMMARY: The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), as part
of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden,
invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this
opportunity to comment on this new information collection, as required
by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Public Law 104-13 (44 U.S.C.
3506(c)(2)(A)).
DATES: Written comments must be submitted on or before November 2,
2010.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods:
E-mail: InformationCollection@uspto.gov. Include ``0651-
00xx Global Intellectual Property Academy Program Survey comment'' in
the subject line of the message.
Fax: 571-273-0112, marked to the attention of Susan
Fawcett.
Mail: Susan K. Fawcett, Records Officer, Office of the
Chief Information Officer, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box
1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.
Federal e-Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information
should be directed to the attention of J. David Binsted, Program
Manager, Global Intellectual Property Academy, United States Patent and
Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450; by
telephone 571-272-1500; or by e-mail at james.binsted@uspto.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
I. Abstract
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office plans to survey participants
of the Global Intellectual Property Academy (GIPA) technical assistance
programs. The survey data will be collected in order to obtain
assessment data for the U.S. Government's accountability process,
better known as the PART, or Program Assessment Rating Tool. Assessment
of the GIPA programs will provide the USPTO information to implement
best practices and program improvements, where necessary.
Participants will be limited to those individuals, both national
and international, who have attended or are attending GIPA training.
These surveys will be done in three parts: Pre-program, post-program,
and alumnus. Program participants will be asked to complete the pre-
program survey immediately prior to their program, the post-program
survey immediately after the program, and the alumni survey
approximately one year after the program. The surveys are expected to
be conducted online using a recognized survey partner, the Federal
Consulting Group.
Participants will access the online survey through links provided
in e-mails or through the USPTO Web site. Participants will not need
usernames, passwords, or survey ID numbers to access the online survey.
Survey responses will be kept confidential. The USPTO does not
intend to collect any personal identifying data from participants
taking the survey. Data collected from the survey will be linked to the
participants. The USPTO intends to maintain contact information for the
participants in a separate file from the quantitative data.
The USPTO expects to follow-up with participants who do not respond
to the survey. Participants who do not respond will be contacted up to
three times.
II. Method of collection
Electronically over the Internet or by e-mail. In-person surveys
may potentially be conducted.
III. Data
OMB Number: 0651-00xx.
Form Number(s): None.
Type of Review: New collection.
Affected Public: Individuals.
Estimated Number of Respondents: 1,500 responses per year (500
participants x 3 surveys each).
Estimated Time per Response: The USPTO estimates that it will take
approximately 20 minutes (0.33 hours) for participants to provide their
responses. This estimate includes the time to gather the necessary
information, complete the survey, and submit it to the USPTO.
Estimated Total Annual Respondent Burden Hours: 495 hours.
Estimated Total Annual Respondent Cost Burden: $71,775. The
audience for the GIPA training programs typically consists of high-
ranking government officials, judges, lawyers, examiners, and others.
The USPTO estimates that roughly 20% of the attendees fall into the
high-ranking categories, while the rest make up 80% of the attendees.
The USPTO estimates that the hourly labor rate for 20% of the attendees
would be roughly equivalent to the professional hourly rate of $325,
while the rest would be roughly equivalent to the para-professional
rate of $100. Using these U.S. hourly rates, the USPTO estimates a
professional hourly rate of $65 (20% of $325) and a para-professional
rate of $80 (80% of $100), for a total hourly rate of $145. Using the
total hourly rate, the USPTO estimates $71,775 per year for salary
costs associated with respondents.
[[Page 54087]]
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Estimated time Estimated Estimated
Item for response annual annual burden
(min) responses hours
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Pre-Program Survey.............................................. 20 500 165
Post Program Survey............................................. 20 500 165
Alumnus Survey.................................................. 20 500 165
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Totals...................................................... .............. 1,500 495
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Estimated Total Annual Non-Hour Respondent Cost Burden: $0. There
are no capital start-up, maintenance, recordkeeping, or postage costs
associated with these surveys, nor are there any filing or other fees
for these surveys.
IV. Request for Comments
Comments are invited on: (a) Whether the proposed collection of
information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of
the agency, including whether the information shall have practical
utility; (b) the accuracy of the agency's estimate of the burden
(including hours and cost) of the proposed collection of information;
(c) ways to enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the
information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of the
collection of information on respondents, e.g., the use of automated
collection techniques or other forms of information technology.
Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized or
included in the request for OMB approval of this information
collection; they will also become a matter of public record.
Susan K. Fawcett,
Records Officer, USPTO, Office of the Chief Information Officer.
[FR Doc. 2010-22041 Filed 9-2-10; 8:45 am]
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