CPA Global Acquires IP Software and Services Provider Ipendo From Zacco Group

ALEXANDRIA, Virginia, September 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

CPA Global today announced the acquisition of Ipendo, a leading international intellectual property (IP) management software and service provider with a strong position in the Nordic region, from Zacco Group.

In conjunction with the acquisition, CPA Global, the world's top IP management specialist, and Zacco Group, the largest IP consultancy in Europe, announced that they will enter into a strategic alliance, whereby CPA Global will support Zacco Group with their patent renewals, while Zacco Group will offer to clients a wide range of IP management products and services from CPA Global. For Zacco Group, the sale of Ipendo represents a further step in its strategy to stay close to its core business of IP consultancy.

Ipendo, headquartered in Malmö, Sweden, is one of the fastest growing companies in the IP sector and is considered among the top IP software providers in the world. Many leading corporations and law firms use Ipendo's proprietary IP management software platform. Ipendo also provides patent renewals and a range of IP consulting services.

CPA Global's Chief Executive Officer, Peter Sewell, said: "Ipendo is a very innovative and customer-driven company with excellent growth prospects that will be further enhanced through CPA Global's worldwide operations. At the same time, the acquisition of Ipendo and strategic alliance with Zacco give us a strong foothold in the important Nordic region. This is a region of increasing economic and strategic significance internationally, and one that is rich in intellectual property. CPA Global has been helping companies and firms in the Nordic region manage and protect their valuable IP Rights for more than 10 years, and we will now be able to provide them with a broader range of services as well as further improve client service and engagement through a more established on-the-ground presence."

Commenting on the significance of the agreements, Zacco Group's Chief Executive Officer, Hans-Bertil Håkansson, said: "The sale of Ipendo and the strategic alliance we have established with CPA Global will enable us to focus on our core business and speed up our ambitious growth strategy. The cooperation with CPA Global will lead to further development of our service offerings and new products which perfectly fit into our clients' requirements."

The Ipendo Platform™ is a strong addition to CPA Global's suite of advanced IP management software solutions, which includes: Memotech, for corporate clients; Inprotech, for law firm clients; and FoundationIP, a hosted solution for managing IP portfolios in corporations and law firms. Last year, CPA Global also launched CPA Global Discover, a sophisticated new patent search platform, which delivers the most reliable and relevant results in the industry.

Toni Nijm, CEO of Ipendo, said: "CPA Global is a world leader in IP management and this acquisition reflects the Company's recognition both of the Nordic region's growth as well as the significant potential to develop the Ipendo business concept internationally. Ipendo's concept combined with CPA Global's leading position in the IP arena will form an unrivalled capability to provide streamlined IP services to businesses and law firms around the globe. A top priority post-acquisition will be the seamless integration between the Ipendo Platform™ and CPA Global's annuity services, resulting in a world-class automated annuity management service."

About CPA Global

CPA Global is the world's top intellectual property (IP) management specialist, and a leading provider of legal services outsourcing (LSO).  CPA Global supports many of the world's best known corporations and law firms with a range of IP and broader legal services, helping them to manage risk, cost and capacity, and realize greater value for their businesses and their IP assets.

CPA Global helps its clients manage their valuable IP Rights, such as patents, designs and trademarks, ensuring that IP portfolios are protected, maintained and regularly reviewed in order to maximize value. Services include search, filing and renewals for patents and trademarks; trademark watching; portfolio valuation and optimization; as well as IP management software.

Founded in Jersey, Channel Islands in 1969, CPA Global today employs more than 1,500 people, serving clients' needs in over 100 countries. CPA Global's diverse client list ranges from major global corporations, headquartered in Europe, North America and Asia Pacific, to small and medium-sized enterprises and innovation start-ups; and from top international law firms to national and regional law and IP firms. For further information, please visit: http://www.cpaglobal.com

About Zacco Group

Zacco Group is the largest European intellectual property consultancy with approximately 500 employees, many of whom are European Patent, Trademark and/or Design Attorneys. For over 140 years, Zacco Group has helped organizations assess, define, protect and exploit their intellectual property (IP).

Zacco Group covers all technical and legal areas within IP and assists clients with technical, legal and strategic advice, including handling of conflicts and litigation. In addition to assistance in protecting IP Rights, Zacco Group also offers its clients strategic advice aimed at increasing their competitive edge through a professional exploitation of these rights.

Zacco Group has offices in five countries; Sweden, Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands and Germany. Please visit http://www.zacco.com for more information.

About Ipendo

Ipendo is a leading provider of on-demand IP management solutions to companies of all sizes. The Ipendo Platform™ is built on the latest technology to bring out hidden values in IP portfolios by allowing automation of administrative tasks and sharing of crucial information with relevant parties.

Thousands of users within IP departments, R&D, Legal and Management, along with attorneys around the globe, communicate IP through the Ipendo Platform™ on a daily basis. Automating administrative tasks, placing orders and purchasing of IP services form the core of the Ipendo concept, aiming at reducing costs and increasing efficiency for Ipendo customers.

Ipendo was founded in Sweden in 2004, and currently employs more than 60 people in Europe and the US. Ipendo customers have high IP awareness and range from small businesses to large global enterprises with a strong focus on technology and branding. For further information about Ipendo, visit: http://www.ipendo.com.

Media Contacts

CPA Global:

Steve Clark +44(0)20-7549-5504, [email protected]

Victoria Knowles +44(0)20-7549 4585, [email protected]

Zacco Group:

Hans-Bertil Håkansson +45-39-48-81-30, [email protected]

SOURCE CPA Global and Zacco Group