A knowledge-based computer system for assessing new company names

This paper briefly describes a knowledge-based computer system implemented at the Registry of Companies (E and S), Ministry of Industries in Denmark. The system helps E and S, on receipt of a request for registration of a new or changed company name, to check the name for acceptability. The check asks if: it contains non-permissible elements, such as family names; it has a phonetic resemblance with a company name already registered; or it is identical in meaning with an already registered name.

Until recently, E and S had a very capable expert to perform this task. The expert had been working in this field for more than 30 years and had a unique knowledge in the domain. The paper describes the problem of transferring human knowledge into a computerised system and it presents the structure of the final system.

In addition, the paper outlines the experiences gained from developing the system and offers conclusions about the success of the project, which ran for one year with a budget of approximately DKK 1.5 million