Can paper be eliminated from patent collections?

Abstract

The number of patent documents in paper from keeps growing steadily. Various types of microforms, like rolls, aperture cards, microfiches, resulted in space saving, if they have been used for long periods, but their has use caused also the increase of processing costs and more difficult retrieval. Neither computer control of microform stores presents a solution. Recently, the transition to electronic databases seem to offer a solution of this problem. The relevant plans of the patent office of the FRG for the transition period and those for electronic automation of patent collections in the USA and Japan are reported.