Abstract

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) provides patent information to a variety of public users through a newwork of 69 Patent Depository Libraries (PDLs) located throughout the United States. In order to improve its patent information dissemination activities, the PTO in 1987 turned to the new technology of compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM). Since that time, the PTO has mastered over 20 CD-ROM discs and turned a pilot project into a successful and expanding program. The use of CD-ROM has enabled the PTO to replace its more costly on-line system of CASSIS (Classification and Search Support Information System). Additionally, the PTO has developed other CD-ROM applications which provide, in electronic form, information that was previously available to the PDLs only in paper or not at all. This presentation describes the background and development of the PTO's CD-ROM products, briefly demonstrates current products, and discusses future plans.

© 1990 Optical Society of America