Abstract:
A group purchase program systems and methods. The invention discloses methods for sharing the cost of research on topics by identifying, researching, and categorizing a topic. Participants are solicited for purchasing the information discovered in researching the topic. Information on the topic is published and provided to enrolled participants who share the cost of the research. Additional parties may purchase the information on the topic at a later time by paying a premium over the price paid by the enrolled participants.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     The relationship between a law firm and its clients is, in general, very private. As a consequence, information about and work product for clients as well as the costs of maintaining and producing the same is not shared freely or efficiently, even among attorneys in the same law firm.  
         [0002]     For example, when a first client has a topic requiring legal advice (e.g., a new employment law) the first client may request an attorney to provide advice and guidance on the topic. Or the first client may request the preparation of a new document. The attorney then researches the topic and often creates a document with the findings. In many cases this document will address the topic specifically for the first client. The first client is then billed the full cost for the time spent performing the research and publishing the document with the findings. The topic, however, will often times be applicable to a number of different clients.  
         [0003]     Thereafter, a second client may request advice and guidance on the same topic with the attorney. Since the attorney has already completed the research on the topic for the first client, the attorney can generate another document with the findings of the original research. The second client is then billed for the cost of publishing the document. Since the second client is not billed for any of the research, the second client&#39;s bill can be much less than the first client&#39;s bill, although they both received essentially the same final work product.  
         [0004]     Because the second client effectively receives a discount, simply because he inquired about a topic at a later time than the first client, clients may delay obtaining legal advice in the hope that another client requests the same advice first and, therefore, bears the bulk of the costs. In certain circumstances, this delay may act to the client&#39;s detriment.  
         [0005]     In another scenario, a third client can raise the same topic with a second attorney. The second attorney, unaware that a first attorney has already researched the topic, researches the topic himself. The second attorney then publishes his findings for the third client. The third client is billed for both the research and the publication of the findings. Since the first attorney had already completed the research, the third client could have received the results of the first attorney&#39;s research, at a substantially reduced cost.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0006]     In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of providing information on a topic to a plurality of clients. The method includes identifying a topic of interest, developing a budget for producing a work product on the topic, soliciting interest in the topic from the plurality of clients, offering a right to receive the work product when available, enrolling one or more of the plurality of clients in a program to receive the work product when available, researching the topic, publishing the work product, providing the work product to the enrolled clients, and billing the enrolled clients based on the budget, the number of enrollees, and a fixed fee.  
         [0007]     In another embodiment, the invention provides a system for sharing a cost of providing information on a topic amongst a group of interested participants. The system includes a participant database, a topic database, and a computer system. The participant database is comprised of participants potentially interested in a topic. The topic database includes a plurality of unresearched topics and a plurality of published work product. The computer system is configured to receive a new topic, provide the new topic to an identifying function, provide the identified topic to a research function, publish the work product, enroll interested participants to receive the published work product, and provide the published work product to the enrolled participants. The identifying function is configured to provide an identified topic and the research function is configured to provide a work product. The enrolled participants then share the cost of researching the topic and publishing the work product.  
         [0008]     In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of sharing a cost of providing a work product on a topic amongst a group of participants in a group purchase program. The method includes submitting the topic to a group purchase program, developing a research budget for the topic, developing a budget for publication of the work product, determining a delivery time for the published work product, framing the topic, categorizing the topic, informing a select group of the plurality of participants about the topic, researching the topic, publishing the work product, enrolling participants to receive the information, and providing the published work product to the enrolled participants.  
         [0009]     Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an embodiment of a group purchase program of the invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a process for implementing the group purchase program of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is an exemplary display of a login screen of the group purchase program of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is an exemplary display of a user menu screen of the group purchase program of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is an exemplary display of a topic entry screen of the group purchase program of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  is an exemplary display of an available topics screen of the group purchase program of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  is an exemplary display of an enrollment screen of the group purchase program of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  is an exemplary display of an enrolled/purchased topics screen of the group purchase program of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  is an exemplary display of an administrator menu screen of the group purchase program of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  is an exemplary display of a new topic entry screen of the group purchase program of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 11  is an exemplary display of a new topic submission screen of the group purchase program of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 12  is an exemplary display of a posted and saved topics screen of the group purchase program of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0022]     Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
         [0023]     Embodiments relate to a group purchase program that enables services to be provided to a number of interested parties with costs being shared equally amongst the interested parties. The group purchase program can also reduce the possibility of duplication of effort at a firm providing the services. While the embodiments shown relate to a law firm and its clients, the group purchase program has application in other situations where multiple customers desire common information or documents.  
         [0024]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of an embodiment of a group purchase program  100 . The group purchase program  100  can include at least one administrator  105 , a computer system  110 , a participant database  115 , a topic database  120 , a topic identification function  125 , a research function  130 , and a publication function  135 . In addition, a plurality of clients  150 , and one or more attorneys  155 , form a group of users  160  in the embodiment of the group purchase program  100  shown. Users  160  can access the group purchase program  100  through a network  170 , such as the Internet.  
         [0025]     Initial creation of the participant database  115 , at a firm implementing a group purchase program  100 , may include adding all of the firm&#39;s clients to the participant database  115 . In other embodiments, clients may choose to participate in the group purchase program  100  or may opt to not participate in the group purchase program  100 . In some embodiments, non-clients may be allowed to participate in the group purchase program  100  and, therefore, become part of the participant database  115 .  
         [0026]     Membership in the group purchase program  100  can be provided at no charge or for a fee. Fees can be on an annual subscription basis or a usage basis or a combination of both. Fees can be set for each client individually, for certain clients as a group, or for all clients equally.  
         [0027]     The participant database  115  can include a set of information on each participant. In some embodiments, collection of this data is from existing records. In other embodiments, data is solicited directly from clients. Participants can provide the data in a document, electronically, or can enter the data directly on a web page. Access to Internet web pages for the group purchase program  100  may require a login name and a password. The login name and password can be assigned by the firm or chosen by the participant.  
         [0028]     In some embodiments, the data collected from participants for the participant database  115 , in addition to standard client information, includes: type of industries the client operates in, size of the client&#39;s entity or entities, location of the client&#39;s corporate headquarters, locations of the client&#39;s facilities, operations performed at each facility, and areas the client is interested in. Additional information stored in the participant database may include: fee payment information, login name and password, topics purchased, and topics raised.  
         [0029]     In some embodiments, the operation of the group purchase program  100  is controlled through the computer system  110 . The participant database  115 , which contains information on all of the clients  150  who are participating in the group purchase program  100 , is created and controlled through the computer system  110 . New participants be can added to the participant database  115  through the computer system  110 . Information on participants in the participant database  115  can be modified through the computer system  110 . The information on participants contained in the participant database  115  is used by the computer system  110  to determine which clients  150  should be informed of topics based on a topic&#39;s assignment to certain categories and a client&#39;s interest or relevancy to the assigned categories. In addition, the information in the participant database  115  is used to determine if a client  150  should have access to the group purchase program  100  and the topic database  120 .  
         [0030]     In some embodiments, the topic database  120  is maintained by the computer system  110  under the direction of the administrator  105 . The topic database  120  can include information on all of the topics submitted to the group purchase program  100 . The information in the topic database  120  can include a topic, a topic&#39;s categorization information, miscellaneous general information, and published data on a topic (if any).  
         [0031]     In some embodiments, the administrator  105  manages and maintains the computer system  110  and all of the data of the group purchase program  100 . The administrator  105  is responsible for changes to the participant database  115 , the flow of topics from the topic database  120  to/from the topic identification function  125 , to the research function  130 , and from the publication function  135 . The administrator  105  also oversees updates and enhancements to the group purchase program  100 .  
         [0032]     New topics can be submitted to the group purchase program  100 , either via a web site or by the administrator  105 . In some embodiments, the topics are provided to a topic identification function  125  where they are categorized, budgeted, and, restated (framed) if necessary. The topic identification function  125  can be performed by one or more individuals responsible for topic identification. Topics can be submitted to individuals within the topic identification function  125  on a random basis or as directed (by topic or category) by the administrator  105 . In some embodiments, the computer system  110  places newly submitted topics into a general mailbox or, at the direction of the administrator  105 , sends a newly submitted topic to a specific individual for processing.  
         [0033]     Once a topic has been properly identified, the topic identification function  125  returns the topic, along with any additional information generated (e.g., categories to which the topic belongs) by the topic identification function  125 , to the computer system  110 . The computer system  110  then adds the topic and its related information to the topic database  120 .  
         [0034]     An identified topic can be reviewed to determine whether sufficient interest exists in the topic to cover the cost of researching and publishing the topic. In some embodiments, a level of interest is solicited from participants in the participant database  115  who may be likely to purchase the research on the topic. If sufficient interest is not found, the topic can be put on hold until such time as sufficient interest appears or the topic is no longer viable. If the topic becomes no longer viable, the topic is deleted from the topic database. If sufficient interest exists in a topic, the topic is provided to the research function  130 . The research function  130  can be performed by one or more individuals responsible for topic research. Topics can be submitted to individuals for research on a random basis or as directed (by topic or category) by the administrator  105 . In some embodiments, the topics are placed into a general mailbox or, at the direction of the administrator  105 , sent to a specific individual for researching.  
         [0035]     Once a topic has been researched, the research function  130  provides the topic to the publication function  135 . The publication function  135  can publish the results of the research in several ways including web pages, email messages, letters, brochures, and/or recorded messages. The publication function  135  provides the published works to the computer system  110  which deposits the published works in the topic database  120  with their associated topics. In some embodiments, the publication function  135  is integrated with the research function  130 .  
         [0036]     The one or more attorneys  155  and the plurality of clients  150  communicate via a communication link  175 . The communication link  175  can be a personal, face-to-face conversation, a telephone call, a fax, an email, or other communication mechanism, alone or in combination.  
         [0037]     In some embodiments, the users  160  (clients  150  and attorneys  155 ) interact with the group purchase program  100  via the network  170 . The computer system  110  provides access to the group purchase program  100  through a web site on the network  170 . Users  160  use the web site to, among other things, submit topics, view and enroll in existing topics, and view previously published data.  
         [0038]     The computer system  110  can send an email to users  160  informing them that a topic they have enrolled in has been published. In some embodiments, the email can include, or have an attachment including, the published data.  
         [0039]      FIG. 2  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a process for a group purchase program  100  which reduces the possibility of duplication of effort and enables clients to share the costs of obtaining legal advice.  
         [0040]     In some embodiments, a group legal purchase program  100  begins with the identification of a topic (block  200 ). Topics addressed by the group purchase program  100  can arise from many sources including: clients  150 , attorneys  155 , and a firm&#39;s marketing department. For example, a client may require legal assistance in the creation of a company handbook. Several clients can be creating or editing company handbooks simultaneously and, therefore, all require legal assistance on the same topic. Alternatively, an attorney may raise a topic when a new law is passed or following an experience with a present law. A firm&#39;s marketing department may identify a topic of general interest to clients (e.g., the sale of a business).  
         [0041]     Once a topic has been raised, it can be framed for incorporation in the group purchase program  100 . The framing process includes one or more individuals reviewing the topic as presented and producing a written statement that encompasses the complete topic. Certain topics may be broken down into a number of sub-topics with or without one main topic. Sub-topics generally must have varied levels of client interest such that some participants are not interested in the sub-topic while other participants have a high level of interest. Sub-topics also must be financially self sufficient. This means that there must be enough value and participant interest in the sub-topic to justify researching and publishing the sub-topic.  
         [0042]     In some embodiments, each topic/sub-topic framed above is classified into one or more categories to which it relates. Classification areas may include: practice areas, interested attorneys, geographic location affected, entity size, and industry.  
         [0043]     Next an estimated budget can be developed. Each topic/sub-topic is reviewed to determine the time and effort necessary to research the topic and publish the findings. A time budget can be estimated based on the topic. Using the time budget, one or more individuals can be assigned to perform the research. Based on the schedules and costs of the individuals assigned to perform the research, an estimated time of delivery and an estimated total cost can be determined.  
         [0044]     Once the topic/sub-topic is identified, framed, classified, and budgeted, interest in the topic/sub-topic can be solicited from participants in the group purchase program (block  205 ).  
         [0045]     In some embodiments, identified and budgeted topics are posted on a firm&#39;s website. Participants in the group purchase program access the website and determine which topics they have interest in receiving information on and interested participants enroll to receive the information for those topics when it is published.  
         [0046]     In addition, clients with a potential interest in a topic may be contacted by email, telephone, or letter from the firm. A determination of which clients may have an interest in a topic can result from how the topic was classified and how a client&#39;s record in the participant database matches that classification. For example, for a topic classified as being employment related, applicable nationally, relevant to companies of all sizes, relevant to companies that manufacture, and relevant to Attorneys A, B, C, and D; all clients with manufacturing operations in the United States for which the firm performs employment work can be contacted to determine if they would be interested in obtaining information on the topic. In addition, Attorneys A, B, C, and D are informed about the topic and may contact their clients directly regarding the topic.  
         [0047]     Advertisements and brochures can also be developed, on topics of potential interest to a large number of entities, to inform prospective clients that the firm is addressing the topic. The advertisements and brochures can invite the prospective clients to become a client of the firm and to obtain the information on the topic at a reduced cost.  
         [0048]     In some embodiments, parties interested in participating in the group purchase program  100  register at a web page to become a participant in the group purchase program. Participants are then able to enroll, at the website, to receive delivery of the information for a topic when it is published. The web page also includes information on identified topics including: classification information, estimated delivery date, and estimated cost. The web site can also include information for prospective clients and for clients who are not registered on how to become a participant in the group purchase program and on how to enroll for delivery of a information on a topic.  
         [0049]     In some embodiments, an estimated cost of the topic information is determined based on the estimated research and publication cost and the number of participants enrolled to receive the information. Additional fees may be added to the estimated cost including fees to cover the overhead of the group purchase program and special fees for non-clients who participate. In some embodiments, clients can choose a maximum amount they are willing to pay for the information. If not enough clients enroll to receive the information, and therefore, reduce the cost below this threshold, the client can choose not receive the information or to pay the higher price and receive the information.  
         [0050]     Once it becomes apparent that sufficient interest in the topic exists, the individual or individuals, assigned to perform the research, begin the research (block  210 ). A deadline and cost budget is assigned based on the figures developed during the topic classification stage above. Once the research is complete, the work product is published (block  215 ).  
         [0051]     In some embodiments, the results of the research are packaged for delivery to participants enrolled in the topic. Methods of publication include: posting the data to a web site, emailing the data to enrolled participants, and sending a letter with the data to enrolled participants. Portions of the research findings may also be used in brochures and other marketing materials. Published results, provided to the general public through marketing materials, should serve to interest non-enrolled parties in becoming participants in the group purchase program and care should be taken to not diminish the value of what is being received by the participants who enrolled in the topic.  
         [0052]     In some embodiments, clients can choose how to receive results for the topics in which they have enrolled. Some forms of publication can be provided to enrollees at no additional cost beyond the cost determined by the cost of the research and publishing and the number of enrollees (plus any standard surcharges). Other types of publications can be offered to the enrollees for additional fees. For example, a posting on a web page, to which an enrollee has access, can be available at no additional cost. However, an enrollee, who prefers to receive their findings in a letter, may be charged a fee to cover the cost of creating the letter.  
         [0053]     In some embodiments, an initial price can be calculated at the time of publication based on the number of participants enrolled at the time of publication and the total cost of the research and publication. Following publication, participants cannot enroll to receive the findings at the initial price. Instead a premium price is charged to penalize participants for not enrolling prior to publication.  
         [0054]     In some embodiments, following publication of the findings, participants who have not enrolled in a topic may obtain the results of the research (block  220 ). Fees are set at the final fee plus an additional amount. In some embodiments, the additional amount is set relatively high to create a greater value to participants who enrolled earlier and received the publication initially. In other embodiments, there is little or no additional fee as the reduction in price for every enrollee is an incentive to enroll prior to publication. In addition, in some embodiments, information that is time sensitive may be discounted over time. Changes in topics (e.g., new laws), requiring modification to the published information, may be provided at no or lower cost for a period of time to participants who have received the published information.  
         [0055]     In some embodiments, a firm&#39;s home web page contains a link to a group purchase program page.  FIG. 3  is an exemplary login screen  300  for an embodiment of a group purchase program. Each participant in the group purchase program can have a unique username and password. A group purchase program participant can enter their username in a username box  305  and their password in a password box  310 . The participant can then click an enter button  315 . If there is an error (e.g., the username or password is invalid) an error message appears to indicate what the error is.  
         [0056]     If a correct username and password for a participant is entered, a menu page  400  ( FIG. 4 ) is displayed. In some embodiments, the menu choices include enter a new topic  405 , view available topics  410 , view purchased/enrolled topics  415 , and account maintenance  420 .  
         [0057]     Clicking on enter new topic  405  displays a topic entry screen  500  as shown in  FIG. 5 . A text box  505  is displayed for entering a new topic. The participant can click in the text box  505  and a cursor appears in the text box  505 . The user then types a new topic in the text box  505 . Once the topic is entered into the text box  505  the participant clicks a submit button  510  to submit the topic. In some embodiments, topics can also be submitted by a written document, an email, and/or a direct conversation either to an attorney or to the administrator.  
         [0058]     From the menu page  400 , clicking on view available topics  410  displays an available topics screen  600  ( FIG. 6 ). The available topics screen  600  display includes a list of topics  605 , an estimated delivery date  610  for each topic, an estimated total cost  615  for each topic, a number of enrollees  620  for each topic, and a present cost per enrollee  625  for each topic. Participants purchase the data for a topic by enrolling in the topic. In some embodiments, a scroll bar allows participants to scroll through the available topics. In other embodiments, the available topics are available on one or more pages and a participant can view the list of available topics one page at a time.  
         [0059]     The estimated delivery date  610  shows “Now” if a topic has been published and the estimated total cost  615  and enrollees  620  are blank. The cost per enrollee  625  displays the fixed purchase price for the topic.  
         [0060]     In some embodiments, the list of topics can be sorted. Sorting criteria includes: estimated delivery date  610 , area of application (i.e., employment), and/or by applicability to the participant.  
         [0061]     In some embodiments, a participant clicks on a topic to access functions related to the topic. If the topic has been published, a dialog box is displayed asking the participant to verify or cancel purchasing the topic. If the topic has not been published, an enrollment screen  700  ( FIG. 7 ) displayed. The enrollment screen  700  contains information on a topic including topic  705 , estimated delivery date  710 , estimated total cost  715 , number of enrollees  120 , and estimated cost  725 . The enrollment  720  and cost  725  reflect the number of enrollees and cost if the participant chooses to enroll. In addition, a maximum cost box  750  allows the participant to enter the maximum amount the participant is willing to pay for this topic. At the time the topic is published, if the calculated cost exceeds the maximum amount the participant entered, the participant can be given an opportunity to receive the topic at the higher cost.  
         [0062]     A publication method pull down menu  760  allows the participant to choose how to receive the data on a topic when it is published. In some embodiments, the default entry is a web page. Other viable methods of publication can be listed along with any additional fees for receiving the data by that method. The participant clicks on the method of choice and this method will display in the box. The participant then clicks an enrollment button  770  to enroll in the topic or a cancel button  780  to not enroll in the topic.  
         [0063]     In some embodiments, clicking on the view purchased/enrolled topics button  415  from the menu screen  400  displays a purchased/enrolled topics screen  800  ( FIG. 8 ). The purchased/enrolled screen  800  displays information on all of the topics the participant has enrolled in. The information displayed includes a topic  805 , an estimated delivery date  810 , an estimated total cost  815 , a number of enrollees  820 , and an estimated cost  825 . In addition, a button  830  enables the participant to unenroll in topics the participant is enrolled in but which have not yet been published or to view topics, the participant has purchased, that have published.  
         [0064]     In some embodiments, tabs allow the participant to choose which topics to view. Clicking an all tab  840  displays all topics in which the participant is enrolled in and has purchased. Clicking an enrolled tab  845  displays topics that have not been published that the participant has enrolled to receive. Clicking a purchase tab  850  displays topics that have been published and that the participant has purchased. In some embodiments, topics can be sorted by estimated delivery date  810  or practice area (not shown).  
         [0065]     In some embodiments, clicking the account maintenance button  420  from the menu screen  400  displays an account maintenance screen (not shown). The account maintenance screen enables the participant to view and modify data relative to the participant&#39;s account. Modification of the account data can also be performed by the administrator. The participant, instead of modifying account data from the account maintenance screen, can inform the administrator  105  of data that the participant would like to have modified and the administrator  105  can make the modifications.  
         [0066]     If, at the login screen  300 , a correct username and password for an administrator is entered, an administrator menu  900  is displayed as shown in  FIG. 9 .  
         [0067]     In some embodiments, clicking on an enter new topic button  905  displays a new topic screen  1000  ( FIG. 10 ). Once a topic has been identified, budgeted, and classified, the administrator uses the new topic screen  1000  to enter new topics and post them for participants to enroll in.  
         [0068]     A topic text box  1005  enables the administrator to enter a textual description of a topic. The administrator  105  clicks in the topic text box  1005  and a cursor appears. The administrator then types the topic description into the topic text box  1005 . The text entered into the topic text box  1005  is the same as what is displayed in the view available topics screen  600  and view purchased/enrolled topics screen  800 .  
         [0069]     The administrator  105  enters an estimated delivery date into an estimated delivery date box  1010  or a calender button  1015  can be clicked to display a calender from which an estimated delivery date can be selected.  
         [0070]     An estimated total cost box  1020  enables the administrator to enter the estimated total cost for researching and publishing or communicating data on the topic.  
         [0071]     In some embodiments, a number of enrollees box  1025  is displayed. The administrator enters the number of participants that have enrolled to receive this topic. In other embodiments, the number of enrollees box  1025  is automatically filled when participants enroll to receive a topic.  
         [0072]     Some topics can be provided for a flat fee. Topics can be offered at a flat fee initially or can be switched from an enrollment based fee to a flat fee after the topic has been published and delivered to enrolled participants. This enables participants to receive topics for which the participant did not have an initial interest but later developed a need or desire for. A select flat fee box  1030  is clicked to choose the flat fee option and a flat fee amount is entered into a flat fee amount box  1035 .  
         [0073]     In some embodiments, additional information is entered regarding the topic. Additional fields include relevant practice areas  1040 , interested attorney name, other publications, relevant industry, relevant locations, and relevant entity size. In some embodiments a first box lists available options and a second box lists options chosen for each of the additional fields. For example, relevant practice areas  1040  includes a list of possible relevant practice areas  1045  and a list of selected relevant practice areas  1050 . An up button  1055  scrolls the list of possible relevant practice areas upward in the list of possible relevant practice areas  1045 . A down button  1060  scrolls the list of possible relevant practice areas  1045  downward in the list of possible relevant practice areas  1045 . Clicking on a relevant practice area highlights the relevant practice area clicked on. Holding down the control (“CNTL”) key while clicking on a relevant practice area highlights the relevant practice area and leaves any other highlighted relevant practice areas highlighted. Other embodiments use a scroll bar to navigate up and down the list of possible related practice areas.  
         [0074]     Clicking an include button  1065  can copy or move the highlighted relevant practice areas from the list of possible relevant practice areas  1045  to the list of selected relevant practice areas  1050 .  
         [0075]     In some embodiments, options in the list of selected relevant practice areas  1050  are highlighted in the same manner as the options in the list of possible relevant practice areas  1045 . In embodiments where the relevant practice areas were moved from the list of possible relevant practice areas  1045  to the list of selected relevant practice areas  1050 , clicking an exclude button  1070  moves the highlighted relevant practice areas in the list of selected relevant practice areas  1050  to the list of available relevant practice areas  1045 . In embodiments where the relevant practice areas were copied from the list of available relevant practice areas  1045  to the list of selected relevant practice areas  1050 , clicking the exclude button  1070  deletes the highlighted relevant practice area from the list of selected relevant practice areas  1050 .  
         [0076]     For each additional option field, the selected option box can be populated and unpopulated as described above for the relevant practice areas.  
         [0077]     In some embodiments, once the topic  1005 , estimated delivery date  1010 , and estimated total cost  1020  (or flat fee  1035 ) have been entered and the appropriate options have been selected, a post button  1075  can be clicked to post the topic to the available topics list and allow participants to enroll in this topic. If the topic is not ready to post (e.g., the estimated total cost has not been determined), a save button  1080  can be clicked to save all of the entered information for later posting.  
         [0078]     If the topic  1005  has been published, a link to a web page with the published data can be entered into a published link box  1085 . The administrator  105  then clicks a publish button  1090  to change the status of the topic  1005  from posted to published.  
         [0079]     In some embodiments, clicking view submitted topics  910  displays a submitted topics screen  1100  ( FIG. 11 ) showing topics that have been submitted by participants. A first box  1105  can show the topic, a second box  1110  can show the username of the participant who submitted the topic, and a third box  1115  can display the date the topic was submitted. The administrator  105  clicks a check box  1120  next to each topic the administrator  105  chooses to work with. The administrator  105  can then click a print button  1125  to print the selected topics with their related information. Once the selected topics have been printed, the administrator  105  can click on a delete button  1130  to remove the selected topics from the submitted topics list. Printed topics can then be provided to the topic identification function  125 . In some embodiments, checked topics can be emailed to the topic identification function by clicking an email button (not shown) or saved, by clicking a save button (not shown), in a separate area for retrieval by the topic identification function.  
         [0080]     Clicking an edit topics button  915  displays a list of posted and saved topics as shown in  FIG. 12 . In some embodiments, a topic number  1205 , a truncated topic  1210 , and whether the topic is posted or saved (boxes  1215 ) is displayed. A scroll bar  1220  enables scrolling through the posted and saved topics. Double clicking on a topic displays the enter topic screen  1000  ( FIG. 10 ) and any information entered previously for the topic. The information for the topic can then be modified and saved or posted as described above.  
         [0081]     In some embodiments, the enter topics screen  1000  can display posted topics and saved topics separately. Tabs (not shown) can be used to select between the posted topics display and saved topics display.  
         [0082]     Clicking an account maintenance button  920  enables the administrator to access and modify the participant database.  
         [0083]     Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a method of dividing the cost of information amongst a group of interested parties and a system for providing the information to the interested parties. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.