[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 53 (Wednesday, March 19, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 15321]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06008]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

United States Patent and Trademark Office

[Docket No. PTO-C-2014-0016]


National Medal of Technology and Innovation Extension of Deadline 
for 2014 Nominations

AGENCY: United States Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice and extension of deadline for nominations.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce (United States Patent and Trademark 
Office (USPTO)) is in the process of accepting nominations for the 
National Medal of Technology and Innovation (NMTI). Since establishment 
by Congress in the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980, 
the President of the United States has awarded the annual National 
Medal of Technology and Innovation (initially known as the National 
Medal of Technology) to our nation's leading innovators. To ensure 
greater participation in the nomination process, the USPTO is extending 
the deadline for nominations from April 1, 2014 to June 2, 2014. If you 
know of a candidate who has made an outstanding contribution to the 
nation's economic, environmental, or social well-being through the 
promotion of technology, technological innovation, or the development 
of technological manpower, you are encouraged to submit a nomination.

ADDRESSES: Nominations should be made by completing the NMTI nomination 
form available at http://www.uspto.gov/about/nmti/index.jsp. Nomination 
forms should be submitted to John Palafoutas, Program Manager, National 
Medal of Technology and Innovation Program, by electronic mail to 
[email protected] or by postal mail to: John Palafoutas, NMTI Program 
Manager, United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, 
Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450.

DATES: The deadline for submission of a nomination is June 2, 2014.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Palafoutas, Program Manager, 
National Medal of Technology and Innovation Program, United States 
Patent and Trademark Office, 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; 
telephone (571) 272-9821 or by electronic mail to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    As provided by Congress in the Stevenson-Wydler Technology 
Innovation Act of 1980, the National Medal of Technology was first 
awarded in 1985. On August 9, 2007, the President signed the America 
COMPETES (Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in 
Technology, Education, and Science) Act of 2007. The Act amended 
Section 16 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980, 
changing the name of the Medal to the ``National Medal of Technology 
and Innovation.'' The NMTI is the highest honor awarded by the 
President of the United States to America's leading innovators in the 
field of technology and is given annually to individuals, teams, or 
companies/non-profits who have made outstanding contributions to the 
promotion of technology or technological innovation, or to the 
development of technological manpower for the improvement of the 
economic, environmental, or social well-being of the United States. The 
primary purpose of the NMTI is to recognize American innovators whose 
vision, creativity, and brilliance in moving ideas to market or in 
developing of the nation's technological manpower has had a profound 
and significant impact on our economy and way of life. The NMTI 
highlights the national importance of fostering technological 
innovation based upon solid science, resulting in commercially 
successful products and services. In order to ensure greater 
participation in the nomination process, the USPTO is extending the 
deadline for submitting a nomination from April 1, 2014 to June 2, 
2014.

Eligibility and Nomination Criteria

    Nomination Guidelines containing information on eligibility and 
nomination criteria are available at http://www.uspto.gov/about/nmti/guidelines.jsp.

    Date: March 12, 2014.
Michelle K. Lee,
Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Deputy 
Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
[FR Doc. 2014-06008 Filed 3-18-14; 8:45 am]
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