(a)
Notwithstanding any provision of Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 9501) of Division 9 of the Commercial Code or any other provision of law, a financing statement to perfect a security interest or agricultural lien may, at the election of the recorder and subject to the conditions of subdivision (b), be recorded instead of filed.
(b)
A recorder may elect to record a financing statement if all of the following apply:
(1)
The recorder employs a system of microphotography, optical disk, or other reproduction system that does not permit additions, deletions, or other changes to the permanent record of the original document.
(2)
All film used in the microphotography process complies with minimum standards of quality approved by the United States Bureau of Standards and the American National Standards Institute.
(3)
A true copy of the microfilm, optical disk, or other storage medium is kept in a safe and separate place for security purposes.
(c)
A certified copy of any record stored or retained on microfilm, optical disk, or other reproduction system pursuant to this section shall be admissible in any court to the same extent as the original record.