Litigation-related document repository

Abstract

A litigation-related document repository for management and exchange of documents independent of courts or other tribunals. Users can upload litigation-related documents for on-line case folders in order to exchange documents with other parties to a dispute or other users. The repository maintains the documents in a common format in a structured database and can convert the documents for uploading to the database or downloading to user machines. It can also provide various services such as searching for documents and managing case folders. Users can select various fee-based approaches for access to the repository, including paying time-based fees, session-based fees, or agreeing to receive on-line advertisements in exchange for access.

1 - 47 . (canceled) 
     
     
         48 : A computerized method for compiling and maintaining litigation-related documents, comprising:
 receiving litigation-related documents, filed with adjudication entities, from corresponding representatives without requiring submission of the documents by or to the adjudication entities;   receiving information associated with the received litigation-related documents, wherein the information includes information identifying the adjudication entities and cases associated with the litigation-related documents;   maintaining a central repository for electronically storing the litigation-related documents, including:
 creating document indexes based on the received information; 
 organizing the litigation-related documents in a data structure based on the document indexes; 
 associating each of the litigation-related documents with the corresponding adjudication entity in which the litigation-related document was filed based on the document indexes; and 
 providing one or more uniform templates for presentation of the litigation-related documents; 
   selectively providing access to the stored litigation-related documents based on registered user information, wherein the selectively providing access include displaying folders containing the stored litigation-related documents on user pages; and   providing user access to the stored litigation-related documents in through user-selected options of paying fees for access or permitting the display of advertisements on user pages.   
     
     
         49 : The method of  claim 48 , further including selectively permitting downloading of the litigation-related documents in a plurality of formats. 
     
     
         50 : The method of  claim 48 , further including:
 receiving a request to download one of the litigation-related documents;   receiving an indication of a requested format for the one litigation-related document; and   providing the one litigation-related document in the requested format.   
     
     
         51 : The method of  claim 48  wherein the selectively providing step includes:
 receiving a search query for the litigation-related documents;   searching the litigation-related documents based upon the search query; and   providing results of the searching.   
     
     
         52 : The method of  claim 48  wherein the receiving step includes receiving the litigation-related documents via e-mail. 
     
     
         53 : The method of  claim 48 , further including receiving an electronic version of documents referenced by the litigation-related documents. 
     
     
         54 : The method of  claim 53  wherein the receiving the electronic version step includes receiving exhibits associated with the litigation-related documents. 
     
     
         55 : The method of  claim 53  wherein the maintaining step includes:
 organizing the electronic version of the referenced documents in the data structure; and   associating the referenced documents with the corresponding litigation-related documents.   
     
     
         56 : The method of  claim 48  wherein the maintaining step includes maintaining the litigation-related documents as a neutral third party with respect to the representatives. 
     
     
         57 : The method of  claim 48 , further including maintaining a separate repository containing hard copies of the litigation-related documents. 
     
     
         58 : The method of  claim 48 , further including charging users a fee for on-line access to the litigation-related documents in the central repository 
     
     
         59 : The method of  claim 58  wherein the step of charging a fee includes charging one or more of the following: a flat fee based upon a time period; a fee based upon time of use; a fee based upon downloading of the litigation-related documents; a fee based upon uploading of the litigation-related documents to the central repository; or discounted fees based upon particular criteria related to the users.