[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 160 (Friday, August 17, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 49782-49783]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-20242]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

United States Patent and Trademark Office

[Docket No.: PTO-C-2011-0041]


Extension of the Application Deadline for Humanitarian Awards 
Pilot Program

AGENCY: United States Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In February 2012, the United States Patent and Trademark 
Office (USPTO) announced the Humanitarian Awards Pilot Program, which 
recognizes patent holders who use their technology for humanitarian 
purposes. In response to stakeholder feedback, the USPTO is extending 
the deadline for applications to the Humanitarian Awards Pilot Program 
by two months until October 31, 2012, to allow potential applicants 
more time to complete their applications.

DATES: Effective Date: August 17, 2012.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Office of Policy and External Affairs, 
by telephone at (571) 272-9300; or by mail addressed to: Patents for 
Humanity Program, Office of Policy and External Affairs, United States 
Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450; 
or by email to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In February, the USPTO initiated a pilot 
program which recognizes patent holders who use their technology for 
humanitarian purposes, called the Humanitarian Awards Pilot Program 
(``the Pilot'', also known as Patents for Humanity). See Humanitarian 
Awards Pilot Program, 77 FR 6544 (Feb. 8, 2012). The original deadline 
for applications to the Pilot was August 31, 2012, with selection and 
awards to follow.
    While conducting outreach to our user community we have received 
much feedback on the Pilot, including a number of requests to extend 
the deadline for filing applications past August 31. Among the reasons 
given, applicants have said that they are engaged in qualifying work 
which will not be complete before the deadline; or they do not have 
enough time to complete an application before the deadline.
    In response to these requests, the USPTO is extending the 
application deadline for the Humanitarian Awards Pilot Program until 
October 31, 2012. After the application deadline, selections will be 
made as described in

[[Page 49783]]

the February notice, with the goal of completing the recommendation 
process within 90 days. Awards will be made thereafter. The other terms 
of the program remain unchanged.

    Dated: August 13, 2012.
David J. Kappos,
Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of 
the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
[FR Doc. 2012-20242 Filed 8-16-12; 8:45 am]
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