A plug-in for the Firefox web browser, named RECAP, has been released that is designed to make millions of pages the Federal courts' official depository not only free but also provide greater functionality. The public repository already has over one million documents and is steadlily growing.

After installing RECAP, you can use the federal courts official repository system (known as PACER) the way you normally would, and RECAP will automatically inform you if the document you need is already available for free. If it isn't already in the public archive, then RECAP will add the ones you purchase to the public repository.

Of course, if RECAP is successful, it may have an impact on federal court revenue from PACER. Then again, it may encourage them to improve or replace PACER.

For more information, see RECAP.