USPTO Seeks Public Comment on Global Intellectual Property Academy Survey Renewal

The United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has reopened a 30-day public comment period concerning the renewal of its information collection for the Global Intellectual Property Academy (GIPA) surveys. This action, published in the Federal Register on October 6, 2026, signals the agency's continued commitment to evaluating and improving its international intellectual property (IP) training initiatives. The surveys, under OMB Control Number 0651-0065, are a critical tool for the USPTO to measure the impact of its global outreach efforts and ensure accountability in its mission to foster strong IP protections internationally.

The Global Intellectual Property Academy's Role

The Global Intellectual Property Academy, established in 2006, serves as a cornerstone of the USPTO's strategy to encourage the development of effective and balanced intellectual property systems across the globe. Through targeted technical assistance and training programs, GIPA educates foreign government officials on various facets of intellectual property law and policy. This includes patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, commercialization strategies, and enforcement mechanisms. The overarching goal is to equip these officials with the knowledge and tools to enhance IP protection and enforcement within their respective countries, thereby contributing to a global environment that respects intellectual property rights.

Necessity and Purpose of the GIPA Surveys

The surveys under review are not merely administrative formalities. They are integral to GIPA's operational effectiveness and strategic planning. By collecting feedback from participants, the USPTO aims to assess how well each activity or intervention impacts a participant's work and its relevance to their country's efforts to improve IP systems. This data is then utilized to tailor and refine future GIPA programs, ensuring they remain pertinent and impactful. Such evaluative efforts move beyond anecdotal evidence, providing methodologically rigorous data for program enhancement and strategic direction.

Legislative Mandates for Data Collection

The requirement for these surveys extends beyond internal program evaluation, rooted in several federal legislative mandates aimed at promoting government efficiency and accountability. The data gathered through GIPA surveys helps the USPTO meet its obligations under:

• Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 (GPRA): This act mandates federal agencies to set goals, measure performance, and report on their accomplishments.
• Government Performance and Results Modernization Act of 2010 (GPRMA): This modernized act further strengthens performance management requirements for federal agencies.
• President's Management Agenda (PMA): This agenda outlines key priorities for improving federal government operations, often emphasizing evidence-based decision-making.
• Foundations for Evidence-Based Policy Making Act of 2018: This act promotes the use of evidence and data to inform policy and program design across the federal government.

Furthermore, these surveys assist the USPTO in implementing Executive Order 12862, "Setting Customer Service Standards," issued on September 11, 1993. This executive order emphasizes the importance of agencies understanding and meeting the needs of those they serve. The GIPA surveys directly support these mandates by providing concrete data on program performance and customer satisfaction.

Public Comment Process and Burden

This Federal Register notice initiates an additional 30-day period for public comments, following an initial 60-day period earlier in the year. Stakeholders are invited to submit their feedback on the collection of information by November 5, 2026. Comments can be submitted via the https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/PRAMain website. The USPTO estimates that these voluntary surveys will require approximately 15 minutes (0.25 hours) per response, with an estimated total annual burden of 3,627 hours across 14,508 respondents. This calculation includes the time needed for participants, primarily foreign government officials attending GIPA courses, to gather information, complete, and submit their responses.

Implications and Outlook

The continuation and refinement of the GIPA surveys underscore the USPTO's strategic approach to international engagement. By systematically evaluating its technical assistance programs, the agency can ensure that its efforts to combat intellectual property theft and advance IP rights globally are both effective and efficient. The insights gained from these surveys contribute directly to the ongoing refinement of international IP policy and capacity building. The public comment period offers an opportunity for external stakeholders to contribute to this process, ensuring that the information collection remains relevant and minimizes reporting burdens while maximizing its utility in fostering a robust global IP ecosystem.