Patent Office Seeks Fastener Comments

Jason Sandefur

The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office seeks input to reduce paperwork and respondent burden for fastener insignia registration required by the Fastener Quality Act.\
Currently, manufacturers covered by FQA must submit an application to record insignias on the USPTO�s Fastener Insignia Register available at the agency�s website, uspto.gov. In the past, private label distributors were also required to record insignias to ensure a fastener can be traced to its manufacturer.
USPTO estimates the annual cost per company, including labor, filing fees and postage, totals $4,254. That estimate is based on 26 labor hours per year at a cost of $780. The remainder of the total is made up of filing fees for registration and renewals. USPTO figures about 150 companies respond each year.
Industrial Fastener Institute managing director Rob Harris told FIN the cost estimates were in line with what the industry pays and were considered minimal to ensure that control over headmarks remains strong.
�[USPTO�s proposal] seems to be a non-issue,� Harris stated.
USPTO is seeking comment on whether the collected information is necessary for the agency�s proper performance and has practical application; the accuracy of the respondent burden estimate; ways to enhance the �quality, utility, and clarity� of the information; and methods to minimize the collection of information, including the use of automated techniques or other forms of information technology.
Written comments must be submitted by February 3, 2003, to Susan Brown, records officer, Office of Data Architecture & Services, Data Administration Division, USPTO, Suite 310, 2231 Crystal Dr., Washington, D.C. 20231. Tel: 703 308-7400 E-mail: susan.brown@uspto.gov �2003 FastenerNews.com