Ohio Bar Automated Research (OBAR)

A group of Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA) members began investigating computer assisted legal research technology in the mid 1960s, subsequently forming a nonprofit subsidiary in 1967, the Ohio Bar Automated Research ( OBAR ), to develop a computer assisted legal research system for Ohio lawyers.  OBAR  contracted with Data Corporation, an Ohio based company specializing in information retrieval, to create the service. Essentially Data Corporation would provide the technology development while  OBAR  would raise funds, market, and administer the service (also called  OBAR ); both entities were to divide sales revenues. Computer assisted legal research proved feasible; but response time, communication protocol, and other issues were problematic. More funding was necessary to solve technical issues, but both  OBAR  and Data Corporation had constraints about committing to additional funding.

Unexpectedly, U.S. based Mead Corporation acquired Data Central as a wholly owned subsidiary in 1969. Initially interested in Data Corporation's scanning technology, Mead became interested in the automated search service developed by  OBAR  and Data Corporation. Mead's market research indicated that while a market for online research existed, the existing database required substantial rebuilding. Deciding to go forward with developing an online system, Mead formed a new subsidiary, Mead Data Central (MDC), to concentrate solely on a nationwide automated legal research system. During the next few years Mead invested millions of dollars in the redevelopment of the database, although  OBAR's  early concept for a full text, interactive system remained.

By 1971, points of tension developed in  OBAR  and MDC's non-profit/commercial joint venture, but  OBAR  continued to promote the system, while MDC handled the business and technical aspects. In 1971  OBAR  sold its proprietary interests to Mead Data Central, re

Date	Event
1960	Demonstration of "Horty system" at ABA annual meeting (serves as early  OBAR  model)
1964-66	OSBA begins investigation of online legal research database development
1966	1966: OSBA crafts service definition for legal reseach database
Jan., 1967	OSBA forms subsidiary nonprofit corporation,  OBAR , to develop automated research project
1967	OBAR contracts with Data Corporation (Gorog, Giering) for database development support
1967	OBAR sells debenture bonds to members of the OSBA to raise funds for the contract
1967-69	OBAR/Data Corporation continue carrying out terms of contract & establish working service
1968	Mead Corporation acquires Data Corporation (initial interest is in DC's scanning technology)
Oct., 1969	Mead contracts with N.Y. firm, A.D. Little, for market studies about automated research
Feb., 1970	Mead forms new subsidiary, Mead Data Central (MDC) for nationwide automated research service
1971	Robert Asman becomes OBAR President; OBAR continues relationship with MDC for terms of contract
1971	Case Western Reserve law school begins using OBAR system
1971	Jerome Rubin replaces Donald Wilson as president of Mead Data Central
Feb., 1971	OBAR sells proprietary interests to MDC in return for 10 year royalty payments
1972	Ohio market test for second generation system complete, ready for nationwide marketing
Apr., 1973	MDC launches Lexis as publicly available service; headquarters remains in Dayton, Oh
Apr., 1973	Ohio Secretary of State approves OBAR for current legislation subscription
1974	Filing fee Am.S.B. 214 bill passed 110th Ohio G.A.- helps courts defray computer research costs
1981	End of OBAR and Mead Data Central's contractual relationship & royalty payments (1971-1981)
July, 1983	Final OBAR trustee meeting?
1985	Asman continues promoting LEXIS, but OBAR is inactive & bonds have zero value
Nov., 1986	Nov. 1986: Ohio State Bar Foundation ends OBAR subsidy