[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 189 (Friday, September 27, 1996)] [Notices] [Pages 50807-50808] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-24782] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Patent and Trademark Office Practitioner Records Maintenance and Disclosure Before the PTO ACTION: Proposed collection; comment request. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce, 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 proposed and/or continuing information collections, 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 26, 1996. ADDRESSES: Direct all written comments to Linda Engelmeier, Acting Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Department of Commerce, Room 5327, 14th and Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection instruments(s) and instructions should be directed to Craig R. Feinberg, Patent and Trademark Office, Washington, DC 20231, (703) 308-5316, extension 10. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Abstract These collections are necessary to insure compliance with the Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) Code of Professional Responsibility. The code requires that attorneys and agents maintain complete records of a client in accordance with 37 CFR Sec. 10.112(c)(3), and report violations of the Code and evidence of such violations to the PTO in accordance with 37 CFR Secs. 10.23(c)(16) and 10.24. The code further mandates that attorneys and agents cooperate with the Director of the Office of Enrollment and Discipline in connection with any investigation in accordance with 37 CFR Sec. 10.131(b). II. Method of Collection By mail, facsimile, and hand carry, when an individual is required to participate in the information collection. III. Data OMB Number: 0651-0017. Form Numbers: N/A. Type of Review: Reinstatement, with change, of a previously approved collection for which approval has expired. Affected Public: Individuals. Estimated Number of Respondents: 350 for recordkeeping maintenance, and 85 for violation reporting. Estimated Time Per Response: 9 hours for record keeping maintenance, and 1\1/2\ hours for violation reporting. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 3278 hours. Estimated Total Annual Cost: $170,250. 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 [[Page 50808]] 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, including through 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 also will become a matter of public record. Dated: September 19, 1996. Linda Engelmeier, Acting Departmental Forms Clearance Officer, Office of Management and Organization. [FR Doc. 96-24782 Filed 9-26-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510-16-P