Canada firm’s IP practice acquired by IPH
IP services group IPH has announced that Canadian law firm Smart & Biggar will be joining its network of IP firms across the Asia-Pacific region.
As part of the agreement, which is expected to conclude in September, IPH will acquire the IP agency practice of Smart & Biggar.
IPH comprises a network of member firms working in eight IP jurisdictions and more than 25 countries.
The group includes IP firms AJ Park, Griffith Hack, Pizzeys and Spruson & Ferguson and online IP services provider Applied Marks.
IPH employs more than 900 people working in Australia, China, Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand.
This acquisition represents IPH’s first acquisition outside of Asia Pacific.
“We are excited to welcome the Smart & Biggar team to IPH,” said IPH managing director and CEO, Andrew Blattman.
“Smart & Biggar practitioners and employees are of the highest quality and the firm has an outstanding international reputation as a leading IP firm in Canada.
The Australian and Canadian IP markets are very similar, and together we will be well positioned to provide clients with a comprehensive IP service offering with an international reach, while offering strong career development opportunities for our people.”
“At Smart & Biggar, we have the honour of working with many of Canada’s and the world’s most important innovators and brand owners, many of whom have entrusted us with protecting, enforcing and commercialising their IP rights for over a century” said Smart & Biggar managing partner, Matthew Zischka.
“Joining the IPH group will supercharge our service offering, enabling future investment and growth of our Canadian business. We look forward to continuing to help clients in Canada and around the world safeguard and leverage their IP and technological assets.”
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