Visual, web-based legislative history of the CREATE Act now available

Posted by J. Matthew Buchanan
February 7, 2005

Using MindManager software, I prepared a mind map of the legislative history of the Cooperative Research and Technology Enhancement (CREATE) Act of 2004. The map file is available here (use right-click, Save As…) (NOTE: if you don’t have MindManager, buy it; If I can’t convince you to take that step, download the free map viewer).

I have also created a web-based interactive version of the CREATE ACT mind map, again using MindManager. The web version presents the map in an outline format, and includes a clickable version of the map itself. Click on any of the links in the outline or on the map itself to view the referenced documents (committee report, bill text, etc.).

I thought that the inclusion of relevant blog posts was a logical extension of the legislative history and that these resources would add value to the map tool. Currently, the map links to several posts on Promote the Progress as well as other intellectual property blogs.

Mind mapping seems like an approrpriate tool to organize legislative history materials. I have wanted to try this for awhile, and the CREATE Act provided the perfect opportunity for a test run because it has a relatively simple history. The mind map format should be a useful tool for future bills having more complex histories and more coverage in the blogosphere (side note: MindManager can incorporate RSS feeds….). The format provides a base for simple updates, too. For example, the map (and the web page) can be updated to include court decisions, when appropriate.

I hope to create maps for more complex intellectual property bills in the future. If you have any comments and/or suggestions on structure, format or overall appearance of the CREATE Act mind map, please contact me.

TEST INLINE MAP:

Inline mindmap

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