PTO Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH) Survey Questions

OMB No. 069-0030

Expires 06 /30/2017

*DRAFT*

Patent Prosecution Highway (PPH)

Survey Questions for External Users

2/2/15

Demographic Information

1. Which of the following best describes your affiliation?

   1. Cooperation

   2. University/Research Institution

   3. Individual Inventor

   4. Patent Professional

   5. Law Firm

   6. Other (business/legal association, etc.) (open text box)

2. If you represent a business or are an individual inventor:

   1. Please estimate the total number of employees.

      1. 0-10

      2. 11-100

      3. 101-500

      4. 501-1000

      5. Greater than 1000

3. What is your primary area of technology or industry?

   1. Biotechnology

   2. Chemistry

   3. Computers

   4. Electrical/Electronics

   5. Mechanics

   6. Pharmaceuticals

   7. Telecommunications

   8. Other (open text)

4. In which of the following jurisdictions is your residence or primary place of business?

   1. China

   2. Europe

   3. Japan

   4. Korea

   5. United States

   6. Other (open text)

5. In which of the following offices do you most frequently file applications (limit one)?

   1. European Patent Office

   2. Japan Patent Office

   3. Korean Intellectual Property Office

   4. State Intellectual Property Office

   5. United States Patent and Trademark Office

   6. Other (open text)

6. Number of filings per year?

   1. 1-3

   2. 4-10

   3. >10

Patent Prosecution Highways (PPH) Questions:

1. Are you aware of PPH?

   1. Yes

   2. No

2. If no, how would you prefer to learn about PPH?

   1. USPTO Internet site

   2. Training at a nearby location

      1. Indicate preferred area/location

   3. WebEx training

   4. Email notification

   5. In an office action

   6. Other – please specify (open text box)

3. If yes, how did you first hear about PPH?

   1. USPTO Internet site

   2. Co-worker

   3. Seminar

   4. Noted in electronic filing system (EFS)

   5. Noted in an office action

   6. Other – please specify (open text box)

4. If yes, have you used it?

   1. If yes, what have you found to be most beneficial?

      1. Faster acquisition of IP rights

      2. Accelerated prosecution

      3. Cost savings

      4. Other – please specify (open text box)

2. If yes, how long have you been using PPH?

   1. 0-1 years

   2. 1 – 3 years

   3. 3- 5 years

   4. 5+ years

3. If yes, how frequently do you use PPH?

   1. Only once

   2. Weekly

   3. Monthly

   4. Every 4-6 months

   5. Yearly

4. If yes, would you recommend PPH to others?

   1. Yes

   2. No

5. If no, why not?

   1. Does not align with filing strategy

   2. Cost

   3. Uncertainly about program and benefits

   4. Other – please specify (open text box)

5. Is there anything you think the USPTO can do to enhance the current PPH program?

   1. Yes (open text box)

   2. No

6. Would you be interested in providing a quote about your experience with PPH?

   1. Yes (open text box)

   2. No

Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB Control Number. The data collected from this survey will be used for planning efforts to ensure that visits to the public search facility are productive and positive experiences. The responses will be aggregated. This collection of information is voluntary in accordance with E.O. 12862, “Setting Customer Service Standards.” All responses will remain confidential and are protected under the “Confidential Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act of 2002.” The USPTO estimates that it takes approximately 5 minutes (0.08 hours) to complete this survey.

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