[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 214 (Tuesday, November 7, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51570-51575]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-24190]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

United States Patent and Trademark Office

37 CFR Part 42

[Docket No. PTO-P-2016-0029]
RIN 0651-AD10


Rule on Attorney-Client Privilege for Trials Before the Patent 
Trial and Appeal Board

AGENCY: Patent Trial and Appeal Board, United States Patent and 
Trademark Office, U.S. Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This final rule on attorney-client privilege amends the 
existing rules relating to the United States Patent and Trademark 
Office (Office or USPTO) trial practice for inter partes review, post-
grant review, the transitional program for covered business method 
patents, and derivation proceedings that implemented provisions of the 
Leahy-Smith America Invents Act (``AIA'') providing for trials before 
the Office.

DATES: This rule is effective on December 7, 2017.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Edward Elliott, Attorney Advisor, by 
telephone at (571) 272-7024 or by email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2742435046554309424b4b4e48535367525457534809404851"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ea8f8e9d8b988ec48f868683859e9eaa9f999a9e85c48d859c">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Executive Summary: Purpose: This final rule clarifies situations 
where privilege is recognized for communications between clients and 
their domestic or foreign patent attorneys and patent agents.

Background

    In February 2015, the USPTO held a roundtable and solicited 
comments on attorney-client privilege issues. See Notice of Roundtable 
and Request for Comments on Domestic and International Issues Related 
to Privileged Communications Between Patent Practitioners and Their 
Clients, 80 FR 3953 (Jan. 26, 2015). As part of that process, the USPTO 
requested comments on whether communications between patent applicants 
or owners with their U.S. patent agents or foreign patent practitioners 
should be recognized as privileged to the same

[[Page 51571]]

extent as communications with U.S. patent attorneys. Respondents 
unanimously supported a rule recognizing such privilege in courts. See 
USPTO, Summary of Roundtable and Written Comments, available at http://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Summary%20of%20Privileged%20Communication%20Roundtable.pdf (``Privilege 
Report'').
    Some roundtable participants noted that rules regarding privilege 
for U.S. patent agents and foreign practitioners in PTAB discovery 
proceedings were difficult to discern, as there has been no explicit 
rule on privilege. When the issue arises before PTAB, Administrative 
Law Judges make legal determinations as to which communications may be 
protected from disclosure on a case-by-case basis, based on the Federal 
Rules of Evidence and common law. See 37 CFR 42.62(a); see also GEA 
Process Engineering, Inc. v. Steuben Foods, Inc., IPR2014-00041, Paper 
117 (PTAB 2014). U.S. courts have devised several different approaches 
to determine under what circumstances communications with these 
practitioners are privileged. As the Privilege Report notes, the common 
law on privilege for domestic and foreign patent practitioners varies 
across jurisdictions. Different approaches are taken, and results 
sometimes conflict. This may lead to administrative inefficiencies and 
inconsistencies in outcomes, as PTAB must select which set of common 
law rules to follow.
    Administrative Law Judges in other agencies have treated certain 
confidential communications with a patent agent as privileged. See, 
e.g., USITC Inv. No. 337-TA-339, slip op. at 2, 1992 WL 811804 (ITC 
1992) (finding that confidential communications between a U.S. patent 
agent and his client in connection with a patent prosecution are 
privileged). In 2016, the Federal Circuit recognized that attorney-
client privilege applies to U.S. patent agents acting within the scope 
of their authorized practice. See In re Queen's University at Kingston, 
820 F.3d 1287 (Fed. Cir. 2016).
    To address the aforementioned issues with privilege rules, the 
USPTO put forth a proposed PTAB rule for public comment in October 
2016. See Rule Recognizing Privileged Communications Between Clients 
and Patent Practitioners at the Patent Trial and Appeal Board, 81 FR 
71653 (Oct. 18, 2016). The Office received eighteen comments from bar 
associations, trade groups, law firms, and individuals. The Office 
expresses its gratitude for the thoughtful and comprehensive comments 
provided by the public, which are available online at https://www.regulations.gov/docket?D=PTO-P-2016-0029.
    The vast majority of commenters expressed support for this rule, 
echoing the need for clarity and certainty in this area. The policy 
arguments they raised in favor are already covered extensively in the 
Privilege Report. Several commenters raised additional issues about 
specific language in the proposed rule, which are addressed herein. A 
few commenters opposed the rule based on misunderstandings of the scope 
and purpose of the rule, which are clarified herein as well. Based on 
the feedback, the Office presents the following final rule on 
recognizing privilege for patent attorneys and agents.

Responses to Comments

Nature of Privilege

    Comments: Some comments expressed concern over the scope and 
interpretation of the proposed rule. One commenter objected to 
expanding those eligible to practice before PTAB to include agents. 
Others characterized the rule as primarily to protect communications 
between clients and counsel involved in PTAB proceedings.
    Response: Attorney-client privilege exists to protect clients. It 
allows them to have full and frank discussions with attorneys when 
seeking legal advice, without fear that those discussions will be used 
against them in legal proceedings. The privilege vests with the client, 
not the attorney, and does not confer authorization to practice law, 
but rather flows from those already having such authorization. Because 
of this, recognizing privilege for patent agents does not determine 
what types of work they are authorized to perform. The authorized 
functions of patents agents, including representing clients before 
PTAB, are established in 37 CFR 11.5(b). Likewise, privilege does not 
confer additional power to patent agents because it vests in the 
client, not the agent or attorney. Applying the privilege to agents 
simply recognizes that they perform legal services and that clients 
deserve the same protections regardless of which type of authorized 
legal provider they choose. Further, some foreign jurisdictions rely 
entirely or almost entirely on non-attorney patent agents. In such 
jurisdictions, hiring an attorney to handle patent matters can be 
difficult or impossible. See the Privilege Report for further 
discussion of the policy considerations supporting privilege for patent 
agents.
    More fundamentally, this rule is not intended primarily to protect 
communications between clients and their counsel for purposes of PTAB 
proceedings. Rather, it is primarily intended to protect communications 
made when seeking patents at the USPTO or foreign IP offices, such as 
when prosecuting applications or contemplating whether to file. The 
counsel on those communications may not be involved in any PTAB 
proceedings. Communications about prosecution are much more commonly 
implicated in PTAB discovery proceedings than communications about the 
PTAB proceeding itself. Perhaps this reflects the inherent asymmetry of 
privilege protections: Both parties are affected if their 
communications seeking legal advice about the PTAB proceeding are 
discoverable, whereas only the patent holder is affected by discovery 
of communications from prosecution. Regardless, the purpose of the rule 
is to protect any communications with authorized counsel from discovery 
in PTAB, not just communications about the instant proceeding.
    Similarly, this privilege rule does not affect an attorney, agent, 
or applicant's duty to disclose material information to the USPTO at 
any time, as the duty of disclosure under 37 CFR 1.56 continues to be 
controlling. This duty is not at odds with privilege protections; the 
duty of disclosure governs all information known by a party and 
establishes whether information must be provided to the USPTO, while 
privilege governs material available to third party adversaries in 
adjudicated proceedings under part 42. For instance, the privilege rule 
does not apply in the filing and prosecution of a patent application. 
Further, the privilege only protects information exchanged for purposes 
of obtaining legal opinions or services, not underlying facts or 
business documents. The precise metes and bounds of what types of 
communications are protected by privilege are determined according to 
Federal law. Finally, this rule does not nullify privilege for others 
who are not covered by the rule, such as attorneys not admitted to 
practice before the USPTO or a foreign patent office. Other sources of 
privilege under Federal law remain unaffected.

Scope of Activities

    Comments: Some commenters requested clarity on the scope of covered 
activities. One commenter asked the USPTO to clarify whether a 
communication with a registered patent agent about claim interpretation 
of an issued patent would qualify as privileged. Others asked for 
general clarification of what activities by patent agents would be 
covered, with one

[[Page 51572]]

requesting examples of activities that would qualify for the privilege. 
One commenter noted that 37 CFR 11.5(b)(1) may not provide an 
exhaustive list of authorized activities.
    Response: We understand the commenters' desire for clarity on these 
issues. The USPTO has described the functions agents are authorized to 
perform before the Office in 37 CFR 11.5(b)(1). Whether a particular 
scenario falls within the bounds of an agent's authorization is subject 
to determination by an appropriate authority.
    More precisely defining what types of work patent agents are and 
are not authorized to perform is a much larger issue that goes far 
beyond privilege considerations. This rulemaking is not the proper 
forum to address that issue. If the public feels that the general 
definition of authorized functions put forth by the USPTO in Sec.  
11.5(b)(1) should be updated, they should contact the USPTO to express 
interest in a more comprehensive process to consider that issue, which 
accounts for the numerous equities involved. We also note that 
regardless of any clarifications made to the scope of authorized duties 
for U.S. patent agents, the USPTO cannot alter or clarify the 
authorized functions of foreign patent agents in their home 
jurisdiction, which are established by foreign laws and regulations.

Federal Privilege

    Comments: One comment suggested clarifying that the ``same 
protections of privilege'' refers to Federal privilege, since state 
courts have their own separate sources of privilege.
    Response: We concur and have adjusted the rule to specify 
``privilege under Federal law'' in paragraph (a).

Direct Communications

    Comments: One comment suggested that the rule as written may only 
cover communications directly between a client and a foreign 
practitioner, and not communications made by the client's U.S. attorney 
with the foreign practitioner. According to the comment, communications 
made between a client's representatives in the absence of the client 
could be inadvertently excluded by the current phrasing of the rule.
    Response: Under U.S. Federal law, attorney-client privilege 
generally encompasses communications with an attorney made by the 
client's representatives as well as the client. Similarly, privilege 
generally encompasses communications made with an attorney's employee 
or assistant, as well as communications between multiple attorneys 
working for a client. That is not to say such communications are 
necessarily privileged; they must still meet the other requirements for 
privilege, such as appropriate subject matter. However, these parties 
are generally regarded as parties that fall within the scope of 
privilege, rather than as third parties who break privilege.
    Under the new rule, communications with such parties should 
similarly be entitled to privilege under the same circumstances as when 
the practitioner is an attorney. However, we recognize that there is 
potential for a narrower reading of the proposed rule that does not 
cover communications with such parties and therefore affords lesser 
protection to non-attorney practitioners. We have added paragraph (c) 
to the rule to clarify that the scope of coverage will be the same for 
practitioners as for attorneys under these types of scenarios and any 
other situations. For instance, privilege will extend to communications 
with the aforementioned parties under appropriate circumstances, not 
just to communications directly between the practitioner and the 
client.

Limitations and Exceptions

    Comments: One comment suggested explicitly defining which 
``limitations and exceptions'' should apply to the privilege.
    Response: Exceptions to attorney-client privilege such as crime/
fraud are based on longstanding common law, which continues to evolve. 
Our purpose here is not to redefine those exceptions. This may lead to 
growing discrepancies as the common law changes, which could lead to 
disparate treatment of privilege for patent attorneys and agents 
compared with other attorneys. Rather, this rule codifies who is 
eligible for the privilege, while leaving questions about exceptions 
and limitations for general jurisprudence to address in a broader 
manner.

Practitioners With Limited Recognition

    Comments: A couple of commenters noted that the rule does not 
extend to all categories of practitioners, namely, those granted 
limited recognition under 37 CFR 11.9.
    Response: The rule has been amended to cover USPTO practitioners 
meeting the registration requirements of 37 CFR 11.7. This includes 
practitioners under both Sec. Sec.  11.6 and 11.9(b), who have 
demonstrated the requisite legal, scientific, and technical 
qualifications and moral character. Foreign practitioners practicing at 
the USPTO under Sec.  11.9(c) can qualify for privilege under paragraph 
(b) of the new rule through their admittance to practice in a foreign 
jurisdiction. Students in the USPTO law school clinic program 
practicing under Sec.  11.16 can qualify for privilege under paragraph 
(c) of the new rule since they work under the supervision of a 
registered practitioner. At this time, we are not convinced an 
extension to other categories of practitioners is necessary or 
appropriate. It is not clear that recognizing privilege for these 
individuals furthers any of the policy reasons for applying privilege 
to patent agents, or that these individuals play a significant role in 
providing legal services for applicants.

Relation to In re Queen's

    Comments: A few commenters noted the parallels between this rule 
and the Federal Circuit's decision in In re Queen's University, 
wondering if a USPTO rule is still necessary and whether there would be 
any distinction between our rule and the Federal Circuit's. One 
commenter mentioned a supposed difference in coverage for third-party 
patent validity opinions by agents.
    Response: The USPTO supports the Federal Circuit's finding of 
privilege for patent agents as a matter of public policy. The Privilege 
Report catalogs the many reasons that privilege for patent agents is 
warranted. A USPTO rule on privilege is still needed, for at least 
several reasons. The Queen's decision was a 2-1 panel result, which may 
be revisited in future cases either en banc at the Federal Circuit or 
at the Supreme Court. There are clarity benefits to having a rule 
explicitly codified rather than only in common law.
    Also, the Federal Circuit decision only addresses domestic patent 
agents, not foreign attorneys and agents. Without comparable 
protections in U.S. tribunals for foreign practitioners, privileged 
communications with U.S. patent attorneys may effectively lose that 
protection through parallel communications with foreign practitioners 
prosecuting corresponding foreign applications, which often raise very 
similar legal issues. Having a U.S. attorney supervise communications 
with foreign practitioners is not only an undesirable policy, but may 
not be enough to preserve privilege in all circumstances. Because the 
U.S. attorney is generally not authorized to practice law in foreign 
jurisdictions, the foreign attorney might not be considered as working 
``under the supervision'' of the U.S. attorney in all instances. 
Further, some jurisdictions use non-attorney patent agents exclusively 
or predominantly, so it may not be possible for applicants to rely on

[[Page 51573]]

privilege afforded by U.S. courts to foreign attorneys. The new 
privilege rule protects eligible communications with qualified foreign 
attorneys and agents from discovery at PTAB, preventing such back door 
exposure. The rule does not have extraterritorial effects; how 
communications with U.S. and foreign practitioners are treated by 
foreign courts is entirely up to the foreign jurisdiction.
    Another reason for the USPTO's rule is administrative economy and 
judicial efficiency, as explained by commenter John Cross of the 
University of Louisville. The typical approach to privilege for foreign 
practitioners examines whether the foreign jurisdiction affords 
something like privilege for attorneys and agents. However, this 
inquiry can be intensive, difficult, and lead to inconsistent results, 
because many jurisdictions do not need a comparable protection when 
their constrained discovery system prevents communications with patent 
practitioners from even being discoverable. Similarly, U.S. courts that 
use a ``touch base'' standard often make complex inquiries into a 
foreign communication's nexus with the United States, which can lead to 
uncertain and inconsistent results. The USPTO rule simplifies such 
inquiries by instead considering whether the foreign practitioner was 
authorized to practice within their home jurisdiction by satisfying 
their jurisdiction's professional requirements, and whether the 
communications fall within their authorized scope of practice in that 
jurisdiction. These criteria are simpler to adjudicate and lead to more 
predictable and consistent results, helping applicants understand where 
privilege applies long before they appear at a tribunal.
    Also, the USPTO rule applies regardless of the source of privilege 
for agents. Whether there is a separate agent-client privilege or 
agents are afforded attorney-client privilege on the basis of 
practicing patent law does not matter for purposes of this rule. The 
rule simply recognizes that privilege issues will be treated the same 
for agents as for attorneys within their scope of authorized practice.

Practice of Law

    Comments: Two commenters suggested that the rule would promote the 
``unauthorized practice of law'' by U.S. patent agents. It was 
suggested that participation by patent agents in PTAB proceedings would 
constitute unauthorized practice, and that agents participating in PTAB 
proceedings held concurrently with patent litigation on the same 
patents would constitute unauthorized litigation practice by those 
agents. One of these commenters also said that state bar rules may 
conflict with this PTAB rule.
    Response: As previously mentioned, the rule does not grant 
additional powers to patent agents. Privilege is a protection that 
vests with the client, not the practitioner. Agents are already 
authorized to practice before PTAB in any USPTO proceedings. Practice 
before PTAB cannot be unauthorized practice of law because U.S. patent 
agents are authorized to do so.
    The second objection suggests that practicing before PTAB is 
tantamount to practicing before Federal courts when there is concurrent 
litigation on the same patents. Because they are separate venues with 
separate practices and practitioners, this argument is not persuasive. 
Agents are authorized to advise and represent clients in PTAB 
proceedings because the issues are restricted to patent law matters 
they are authorized to perform. Federal courts have different 
jurisdiction than PTAB and consider a range of non-patent issues. The 
fact that certain patent issues, such as validity, may arise before 
both tribunals does not equate practice before both venues. Just 
because a practitioner is authorized to address the issue in one forum 
does not mean they are authorized to address it in other forums. This 
is true regardless of whether the practitioner is an agent or an 
attorney and whether the two forums are, for instance, PTAB and a 
Federal court, or a Federal court and a foreign court.
    Finally, state bar rules generally are not germane to USPTO rules. 
The USPTO may properly regulate the conduct of practitioners before the 
Office, including PTAB proceedings, as authorized by Congress. 
Similarly, states can properly regulate the practice of law within 
their borders, subject to federalism principles and rules established 
by the Supreme Court. The USPTO and states have separate jurisdiction. 
States may of course consider the policy issues the USPTO has 
documented when deciding privilege matters within their own courts for 
domestic and foreign patent agents and attorneys.

Changes From the Proposed Rule

    In response to comments received from the public, the USPTO makes 
the following changes from the proposed rule. The terms for types of 
practitioners (domestic and foreign) were adjusted slightly for 
uniformity with other rules. The application of Federal law was 
clarified. The USPTO registration requirement now points to 37 CFR 11.7 
for more precision. Paragraph (c) was added to clarify that non-
attorney practitioners are afforded privilege in all the same 
situations as attorneys, not just for direct communications between 
practitioner and client.

Rulemaking Considerations

    A. Administrative Procedure Act (APA): This final rule revises the 
rules relating to Office trial practice for inter partes review, post-
grant review, the transitional program for covered business method 
patents, and derivation proceedings. The changes being adopted in this 
notice do not change the substantive criteria of patentability. These 
changes involve rules of agency practice. See, e.g., 35 U.S.C. 
316(a)(5), as amended. These rules are procedural and/or interpretive 
rules. See Bachow Commc'ns Inc. v. F.C.C., 237 F.3d 683, 690 (D.C. Cir. 
2001) (Rules governing an application process are procedural under the 
Administrative Procedure Act.); Inova Alexandria Hosp. v. Shalala, 244 
F.3d 342, 350 (4th Cir. 2001) (Rules for handling appeals were 
procedural where they did not change the substantive requirements for 
reviewing claims.); Nat'l Org. of Veterans' Advocates v. Sec'y of 
Veterans Affairs, 260 F.3d 1365, 1375 (Fed. Cir. 2001) (Rule that 
clarifies interpretation of a statute is interpretive.); JEM Broad. Co. 
v. F.C.C., 22 F.3d 320, 328 (D.C. Cir. 1994) (Rules are not legislative 
because they do not ``foreclose effective opportunity to make one's 
case on the merits.'').
    Accordingly, prior notice and opportunity for public comment are 
not required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b) or (c) (or any other law). See 
Cooper Techs. Co. v. Dudas, 536 F.3d 1330, 1336-37 (Fed. Cir. 2008) 
(stating that 5 U.S.C. 553, and thus 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(2)(B), do not 
require notice and comment rulemaking for ``interpretative rules, 
general statements of policy, or rules of agency organization, 
procedure, or practice'' (quoting 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A))). However, the 
Office chose to seek public comment before implementing the rule to 
benefit from the public's input.
    B. Regulatory Flexibility Act: As prior notice and an opportunity 
for public comment are not required pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553 or any 
other law, neither a regulatory flexibility analysis nor a 
certification under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612) 
is required. See 5 U.S.C. 603. Nonetheless, for the reasons set forth 
herein, the Senior Counsel for Regulatory and Legislative Affairs in 
the Office of General Law of the USPTO has certified

[[Page 51574]]

to the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration 
that this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. See 5 U.S.C. 605(b). This rule 
revises the rules of practice before PTAB to explicitly recognize that 
communications between non-attorney or foreign patent practitioners and 
their clients that pertain to authorized practice before the USPTO or 
foreign patent offices are privileged, and to define those persons who 
may avail themselves of this privilege. These changes are expected to 
create no additional burden to those practicing before the Board as 
this rule merely clarifies rights and protections for the practitioner 
and client and does not impose a change in practice or requirements. In 
fact, this rule may produce a small benefit from a reduction in 
uncertainty and mitigation of discovery costs. For the above reasons, 
the changes in this rule will not have a significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities.
    C. Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review): This 
rulemaking has been determined to be not significant for purposes of 
Executive Order 12866 (Sept. 30, 1993).
    D. Executive Order 13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory 
Review): The Office has complied with Executive Order 13563. 
Specifically, the Office has, to the extent feasible and applicable: 
(1) Made a reasoned determination that the benefits justify the costs 
of the rule; (2) tailored the rule to impose the least burden on 
society consistent with obtaining the regulatory objectives; (3) 
selected a regulatory approach that maximizes net benefits; (4) 
specified performance objectives; (5) identified and assessed available 
alternatives; (6) involved the public in an open exchange of 
information and perspectives among experts in relevant disciplines, 
affected stakeholders in the private sector, and the public as a whole, 
and provided on-line access to the rulemaking docket; (7) attempted to 
promote coordination, simplification, and harmonization across 
government agencies and identified goals designed to promote 
innovation; (8) considered approaches that reduce burdens and maintain 
flexibility and freedom of choice for the public; and (9) ensured the 
objectivity of scientific and technological information and processes.
    E. Executive Order 13771 (Reducing Regulation and Controlling 
Regulatory Costs): This rule is not an Executive Order 13771 regulatory 
action because this rule is not significant under Executive Order 
12866.
    F. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism): This rulemaking does not 
contain policies with federalism implications sufficient to warrant 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment under Executive Order 13132 
(Aug. 4, 1999).
    G. Executive Order 13175 (Tribal Consultation): This rulemaking 
will not: (1) Have substantial direct effects on one or more Indian 
tribes; (2) impose substantial direct compliance costs on Indian tribal 
governments; or (3) preempt tribal law. Therefore, a tribal summary 
impact statement is not required under Executive Order 13175 (Nov. 6, 
2000).
    H. Executive Order 13211 (Energy Effects): This rulemaking is not a 
significant energy action under Executive Order 13211 because this 
rulemaking is not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the 
supply, distribution, or use of energy. Therefore, a Statement of 
Energy Effects is not required under Executive Order 13211 (May 18, 
2001).
    I. Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform): This rulemaking 
meets applicable standards to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, 
and reduce burden as set forth in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of 
Executive Order 12988 (Feb. 5, 1996).
    J. Executive Order 13045 (Protection of Children): This rulemaking 
does not concern an environmental risk to health or safety that may 
disproportionately affect children under Executive Order 13045 (Apr. 
21, 1997).
    K. Executive Order 12630 (Taking of Private Property): This 
rulemaking will not affect a taking of private property or otherwise 
have taking implications under Executive Order 12630 (Mar. 15, 1988).
    L. Congressional Review Act: Under the Congressional Review Act 
provisions of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 
1996 (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), prior to issuing any final rule, the 
United States Patent and Trademark Office will submit a report 
containing the rule and other required information to the United States 
Senate, the United States House of Representatives, and the Comptroller 
General of the Government Accountability Office. The changes in this 
final rule are not expected to result in an annual effect on the 
economy of 100 million dollars or more, a major increase in costs or 
prices, or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, 
investment, productivity, innovation, or the ability of United States-
based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises in domestic 
and export markets. Therefore, this final rule is not a ``major rule'' 
as defined in 5 U.S.C. 804(2).
    M. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995: The changes set forth in 
this rulemaking do not involve a Federal intergovernmental mandate that 
will result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, 
in the aggregate, of 100 million dollars (as adjusted) or more in any 
one year, or a Federal private sector mandate that will result in the 
expenditure by the private sector of 100 million dollars (as adjusted) 
or more in any one year, and will not significantly or uniquely affect 
small governments. Therefore, no actions are necessary under the 
provisions of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995. See 2 U.S.C. 
1501 et seq.
    N. National Environmental Policy Act: This rulemaking will not have 
any effect on the quality of the environment and is thus categorically 
excluded from review under the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969. See 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.
    O. National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act: The 
requirements of section 12(d) of the National Technology Transfer and 
Advancement Act of 1995 (15 U.S.C. 272 note) are not applicable because 
this rulemaking does not contain provisions which involve the use of 
technical standards.
    P. Paperwork Reduction Act: The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3501-3549) requires that the Office consider the impact of 
paperwork and other information collection burdens imposed on the 
public. This final rule involves information collection requirements 
which are subject to review by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3549). 
This rulemaking does not add any additional information requirements or 
fees for parties before the Board. Therefore, the Office is not 
resubmitting information collection packages to OMB for its review and 
approval because the revisions in this rulemaking do not materially 
change the information collections approved under OMB control number 
0651-0069.
    Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person is required 
to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to, a penalty for 
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the 
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of 
information displays a currently valid OMB control number.

List of Subjects in 37 CFR Part 42

    Administrative practice and procedure, Inventions and patents.


[[Page 51575]]


    For the reasons set forth in the preamble, 37 CFR part 42 is 
amended as follows.

PART 42--TRIAL PRACTICE BEFORE THE PATENT TRIAL AND APPEAL BOARD

0
1. The authority citation for 37 CFR part 42 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 35 U.S.C. 2(b)(2), 6, 21, 23, 41, 135, 311, 312, 316, 
321-326; Public Law 112-29, 125 Stat. 284; and Pub. L. 112-274, 126 
Stat. 2456.


0
2. Add Sec.  42.57 to read as follows:


Sec.  42.57  Privilege for patent practitioners.

    (a) Privileged communications. A communication between a client and 
a USPTO patent practitioner or a foreign jurisdiction patent 
practitioner that is reasonably necessary and incident to the scope of 
the practitioner's authority shall receive the same protections of 
privilege under Federal law as if that communication were between a 
client and an attorney authorized to practice in the United States, 
including all limitations and exceptions.
    (b) Definitions. The term ``USPTO patent practitioner'' means a 
person who has fulfilled the requirements to practice patent matters 
before the United States Patent and Trademark Office under Sec.  11.7 
of this chapter. ``Foreign jurisdiction patent practitioner'' means a 
person who is authorized to provide legal advice on patent matters in a 
foreign jurisdiction, provided that the jurisdiction establishes 
professional qualifications and the practitioner satisfies them. For 
foreign jurisdiction practitioners, this rule applies regardless of 
whether that jurisdiction provides privilege or an equivalent under its 
laws.
    (c) Scope of coverage. USPTO patent practitioners and foreign 
jurisdiction patent practitioners shall receive the same treatment as 
attorneys on all issues affecting privilege or waiver, such as 
communications with employees or assistants of the practitioner and 
communications between multiple practitioners.

Joseph Matal,
Associate Solicitor, performing the functions and duties of the Under 
Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the 
United States Patent and Trademark Office.
[FR Doc. 2017-24190 Filed 11-6-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-16-P


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