IPManager: a microcomputer-based DSS for intellectual property management

We describe a decision support system (DSS) that was developed for the management of the costs associated with the payment of fees to protect the intellectual property (IP) of organizations involved in research and development. IPManager is a decision support system that the authors developed to aid managers of IP in creating or improving IP registration and maintenance strategies and to enable them to use their experience and preferences. The system is currently in use at AgResearch, which is a New Zealand-based institute conducting research into agriculture. A case study is reported discussing the decision environment that motivated the development of the system.