Document Headings

                    Document headings vary by document type but may contain                    the following:                  
                -                       the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document                    
                -                       the number of the CFR title and the number of each part                      the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly                      related to                    
                -                       the agency docket number / agency internal file number                    
                -                       the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in                      the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory                      Actions                    

                    See the                                          Document Drafting Handbook                                        for more details.                  

###### Department of Commerce

###### United States Patent and Trademark Office

          - [Docket No. PTO-C-2011-0093]

# AGENCY:

United States Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce.

# ACTION:

Notice and request for nominations.

# SUMMARY:

                        The Department of Commerce (United States Patent and Trademark Office) is accepting nominations for the National Medal of Technology and Innovation (NMTI). Since establishment by Congress in the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980, the President of the United States has awarded the annual National Medal of Technology and Innovation (initially known as the National Medal of Technology) to our nation's leading innovators. If you know of a candidate who has made an outstanding, lasting contribution to the economy through the promotion of technology or technological manpower, you may obtain a nomination form from:                         *http://go.usa.gov/​1dU*.                    

# ADDRESSES:

                        The NMTI nomination form for the year 2012 may be obtained by visiting the USPTO Web site at                         *http://go.usa.gov/​1dU*. Nomination applications should be submitted to Steven Berk, Program Manager, National Medal of Technology and Innovation Program, by electronic mail to:                         *NMTI@uspto.gov*                         or by mail to: Steven Berk, NMTI Program Manager, United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450.                    

# DATES:

The deadline for submission of a nomination is March 31, 2012.

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        Steven Berk, Program Manager, National Medal of Technology and Innovation Program, United States Patent and Trademark Office, 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; telephone (571) 272-8400 or by electronic mail:                         *nmti@uspto.gov*.                    

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

## Background

                    Enacted by Congress in the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980, the National Medal of Technology was first awarded in 1985. On August 9, 2007, the President signed the America COMPETES (Creating Opportunities to Meaningfully Promote Excellence in Technology, Education, and Science) Act of 2007. The Act amended Section 16 of the Stevenson-Wydler Technology Innovation Act of 1980, changing the name of the Medal to the “National Medal of Technology and Innovation.” The Medal is the highest honor awarded by the President of the United States to America's leading innovators in the field of technology and is given annually to individuals, teams, or companies who have made outstanding contributions to the promotion of technology and technological manpower for the improvement of the economic, environmental or social well-being of the United States. The primary purpose of the National Medal of Technology and Innovation is to recognize American innovators whose vision, creativity, and brilliance in moving ideas to market has had a profound and lasting impact on our economy and way of life. The Medal highlights the national importance of fostering technological innovation based upon solid science, resulting in commercially successful products and services.                          ( print page 2048)    

## Eligibility and Nomination Criteria

                    Nomination Guidelines containing information on eligibility and nomination criteria are at                     *http://go.usa.gov/​1dU*.                

Dated: January 9, 2012. 

David J. Kappos,

Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

[FR Doc. 2012-600 Filed 1-12-12; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE P