Size Standard for Purposes of United States Patent and Trademark Office Regulatory Flexibility Analysis for Patent-Related Regulations

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The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) uses the Small Business Administration (SBA) size standard for the purpose of paying reduced patent fees as its size standard when conducting an analysis or making a certification under the Regulatory Flexibility Act for patent-related regulations. The Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy (SBA-Advocacy) has questioned whether this is the appropriate size standard for conducting an analysis or making a certification under the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Pursuant to the Regulatory Flexibility Act, the USPTO is providing this opportunity for public comment on the establishment of the SBA's definition of "small business concern" for the purpose of paying reduced patent fees as the definition of "small business concern" for Regulatory Flexibility Act purposes for patent-related regulations. Comment Deadline Date: To be ensured of consideration, written comments must be received on or before August 7, 2006. No public hearing will be held.