DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
                   United States Patent and Trademark Office
                                 RIN 0651-AB25

                       Reopening of the Time Period for
                          Acceptance of Comments on
                       Preliminary Draft Convention on
                    Jurisdiction and Foreign Judgments in
                         Civil and Commercial Matters

AGENCY: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce

ACTION: Reopening of time period for acceptance of comments.

SUMMARY: On Tuesday, October 17, 2000, the United States Patent and
Trademark Office published a notice seeking comments on a convention being
negotiated by the Hague Conference on Private International Law that is
designed to create common jurisdictional rules for international
recognition and enforcement of judgments issued under these rules (65 F.R.
613 (2000)). Interested members of the public were invited to present
written comments on the topics outlined in the Issues for Public Comment
section of the Notice by December 1, 2000.  This notice reopens the time
period for submission of comments.  Comments will be accepted through
January 12, 2001.

DATES: All comments are due by January 12, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Persons wishing to offer written comments should address those
comments to  Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office,
Box 4, United States Patent and Trademark Office, Washington, DC 20231,
marked to the attention of Elizabeth Shaw. Comments may also be submitted
by facsimile transmission to (703) 305-7575 or by electronic mail through
the Internet to elizabeth.shaw2@uspto.gov.  All comments will be main
public inspection in Room 902 of Crystal Park II, 2121 Crystal Drive,
Arlington, Virginia.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Jennifer Lucas by telephone at
(703) 305-9300; by facsimile at (703) 305-8885; by electronic mail at
jennifer.lucas@uspto.gov; or by mail marked to the attention of
Jennifer Lucas, Attorney-Advisor, addressed to Director of the
United States Patent and Trademark Office, Box 4, Washington, DC 20231.

December 5, 2000                                             ALBIN F. DROST
                                                     Acting General Counsel