25 years in the International application of information technology (IT) and standards to process and disseminate patent information, from 1980 to 2004

International progress in the application of Information Technology (IT) and standards to process and disseminate patent information over the past 25 years is presented. Much of this progress has mirrored wider changes, such as the advent and use of online, CD-ROM, and the Internet.The major international patent information dissemination milestones are discussed, as well as current international dissemination issues, including the substantial influence of the Trilateral agreements in these areas, between the EPO, USPTO and JPO. Finally, a possible future international vision for dissemination is presented: despite the anticipated improvements, such as reduction of cost and greater capacity, the author expects that support and training from patent offices will continue to be a key element in patent information dissemination.