WO2001031507A1 - Searchable database of informational materials such as research memoranda and the like - Google Patents
Searchable database of informational materials such as research memoranda and the like Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2001031507A1 WO2001031507A1 PCT/US2000/029308 US0029308W WO0131507A1 WO 2001031507 A1 WO2001031507 A1 WO 2001031507A1 US 0029308 W US0029308 W US 0029308W WO 0131507 A1 WO0131507 A1 WO 0131507A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- materials
- informational
- research
- obtaining
- database
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F16/00—Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
- G06F16/90—Details of database functions independent of the retrieved data types
- G06F16/95—Retrieval from the web
- G06F16/953—Querying, e.g. by the use of web search engines
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F16/00—Information retrieval; Database structures therefor; File system structures therefor
- G06F16/90—Details of database functions independent of the retrieved data types
- G06F16/95—Retrieval from the web
- G06F16/951—Indexing; Web crawling techniques
Definitions
- This invention relates to a computer-based research apparatus and method of obtaining informational materials.
- the invention is especially adapted to obtaining materials specific to a particular jurisdiction.
- the invention is illustrated for use with legal research, it has applicability to accounting, consulting, business management, technology, and the like.
- the legal research brief may be specific to a particular jurisdiction or more than one jurisdiction. It is also known to compile such research memoranda in a database of other research memoranda. The database of such research memoranda may then be made available, for a fee, to individuals seeking information on matters that may have been previously addressed. In order to fund such database development, the organization originally sponsoring the research project is provided with a discount if it grants permission to allow its research memoranda to be added to the database. Upon adding the research memoranda to the database, confidential information, such as identifying information, and the like, is removed.
- the present invention provides a computer-based research system and method which, in a cost-effective manner, provides access to an extensive collection of materials.
- a computer-based research system includes a database defined by a computer system which includes research materials specific to a plurality of particular jurisdictions.
- the computer-based research apparatus further includes a computer search engine which provides access to the database in order to obtain material specific to a particular jurisdiction.
- the research materials are previously prepared research memoranda, articles, seminar outlines, or briefs.
- the search engine may be remotely accessed through a communication system which may include a global network, wide area network, local area network, or the like. Additionally, the research apparatus may include links to publicly available material.
- a method of obtaining materials specific to a particular jurisdiction includes providing a computer database including research material specific to a plurality of jurisdictions.
- the method further includes searching the database in order to obtain material specific to a particular jurisdiction.
- the method may include providing a value from a subscriber for the searching and providing a portion of the value to a contributing firm for access to the previously prepared research memoranda, articles, seminar outlines, and/or briefs.
- a method of obtaining informational materials includes building a database of pre-existing materials related to a particular professional discipline, wherein the pre-existing materials are supplied by at least one contributor.
- the method further includes providing access to the database by at least one subscriber to search the pre-existing materials and permits the at least one subscriber access to the pre-existing materials for a fee.
- the method further includes providing at least a portion of the fee to the at least one contributor supplying the downloaded materials.
- Access to the materials may be to download and license the use of any of the pre-existing materials for a fee.
- the access to the materials may be read-only access to the pre-existing materials for a reduced fee.
- FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer-based research system and method of obtaining informational materials according to the invention.
- a research system and method 10 includes a database illustrated at 12 made up of informational materials, such as research material.
- informational materials such as research material.
- Each informational item is preferably specific to a particular jurisdiction. However, each informational item may be specific to multiple jurisdictions. Because information items will apply to various different jurisdictions, the accumulation of the research material in database 12 will be specific to a plurality of particular jurisdictions.
- the database 12 will be preferably created by a geographically dispersed group of contributing firms 14a, 14b . . . 14n.
- the contributing firms may be law firms, accounting firms, consulting firms, technology firms, business management firms, or a combination of such firms.
- the contributing firms each have a collection of internally prepared informational materials, such as research materials 16a, 16b . . . 16n.
- the informational materials may include, by way of example, research memoranda, articles, seminar outlines, briefs, and similar materials which provide analyses of current law, accounting, and technology issues and business management techniques.
- the informational materials would be submitted, preferably electronically, to the database via a global area network, wide area network, local area network, compact disk, floppy disk, or the like.
- Confidential information contained in the informational materials such as client names, the identity of adverse parties, other identifying information, and the like, would be purged prior to submission. It is preferred that the informational material be submitted with a standardized format and organized into subject matter categories and catalogued so that the material could be searched on a word-by-word, phrase-by-phrase, or category basis.
- Database 12 may additionally be linked to other sites 18 containing primary source materials. These primary source materials may include statutes, codes, regulations, legislation, and pronouncements of the related professional association, such as the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, the American Bar Association, or the like.
- the primary source materials 18 may additionally include academic journals.
- the access to publicly available information 18 may be via hyper-links over the worldwide web or by a dedicated communication line, or the like.
- Research apparatus and method 10 may additionally include a search engine 20 for providing access to database 12 and a communication 22 for providing access by a user or subscriber 24 to database 12.
- User/subscriber 24 may be an individual, partnership, proprietor, limited liability company, corporation, trust, or other form of legal entity. Such subscriber may have the need to research specific legal, accounting, or business topics. Subscriber 24 will submit a value, such as a fee, represented at 26 for access to the database. Preferably, fee 26 is an annual fee, but other fee structures may be assigned. Subscriber 24 is preferably provided with a name and password to identify legitimate users of the database 12.
- subscribers would be entitled to browse and search the materials in database 12 for materials relevant to the issue being researched.
- the full text of a particular item in database 12 may be downloaded by the subscriber.
- the browse and searching of the database materials may be provided for an annual subscription fee while the full text of one or more relevant items would be downloaded for a fee.
- a particular portion of the license fee may be remitted to the contributing firm supplying the downloaded material with the balance being retained by the firm maintaining the database.
- the system and method, according to the invention may assist in identifying a practitioner who is competent in the jurisdiction of interest to the subscriber and, in this manner, may facilitate direct contact between subscribers and contributors.
- A's in-house legal staff and its outside general counsel are both unfamiliar with the Utah statute and its application, although either could perform the basic research on the statute. Instead of engaging its outside general counsel to research the issue, or randomly selecting Utah counsel with whom it has no pre-existing relationship, both of which may involve significant expense for time devoted to getting an attorney in either firm up to speed on the issue, A searches the database and locates a research memorandum prepared by a contributing Salt Lake City law firm on a similar issue. A pays the necessary fee to license its use of the memorandum, a portion of which is passed on to the contributing, or originating, law firm. A reviews its contents and refines the scope of the research project.
- A then has the choice of (a) performing follow-up research, if any, through its in-house legal staff, (b) engaging its outside general counsel for the same task, but with a much clearer understanding of the issue and the scope of the research, or (c) engaging the Utah law firm for the same task which, based upon the Utah firm's familiarity with the issue, should be performed more efficiently and cost-effectively.
- Research system and method 10 facilitates cross-jurisdiction resolution of issues by avoiding the need to conduct original research in unfamiliar jurisdictions. It also avoids the need to randomly select local counsel in another jurisdiction and facilitates the resolution, or at least narrowing, of issues in an expedient fashion.
- Research system and method 10 also facilitates direct contact between the subscriber and the contributing firm. This facilitates the locating of a local counsel in the jurisdiction of interest, who may have particular knowledge in the matter of interest. It also provides for a rapid development of the database by providing financial incentives to the creators of informational materials to make them available for the database.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU14373/01A AU1437301A (en) | 1999-10-22 | 2000-10-23 | Searchable database of informational materials such as research memoranda and the like |
CA002388190A CA2388190A1 (en) | 1999-10-22 | 2000-10-23 | Searchable database of informational materials such as research memoranda and the like |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US16074099P | 1999-10-22 | 1999-10-22 | |
US60/160,740 | 1999-10-22 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2001031507A1 true WO2001031507A1 (en) | 2001-05-03 |
Family
ID=22578220
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2000/029308 WO2001031507A1 (en) | 1999-10-22 | 2000-10-23 | Searchable database of informational materials such as research memoranda and the like |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
AU (1) | AU1437301A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2388190A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2001031507A1 (en) |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5832494A (en) * | 1993-06-14 | 1998-11-03 | Libertech, Inc. | Method and apparatus for indexing, searching and displaying data |
US6073138A (en) * | 1998-06-11 | 2000-06-06 | Boardwalk A.G. | System, method, and computer program product for providing relational patterns between entities |
-
2000
- 2000-10-23 AU AU14373/01A patent/AU1437301A/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-10-23 WO PCT/US2000/029308 patent/WO2001031507A1/en active Application Filing
- 2000-10-23 CA CA002388190A patent/CA2388190A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5832494A (en) * | 1993-06-14 | 1998-11-03 | Libertech, Inc. | Method and apparatus for indexing, searching and displaying data |
US6073138A (en) * | 1998-06-11 | 2000-06-06 | Boardwalk A.G. | System, method, and computer program product for providing relational patterns between entities |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CA2388190A1 (en) | 2001-05-03 |
AU1437301A (en) | 2001-05-08 |
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