Questel acquires patent translation company MultiLing
French IP service provider Questel has acquired Utah-based MultiLing, a patent translation company.
Announced on September 28, the acquisition is part of Paris-based Questel’s strategy to build a one-stop-shop offering for IP services.
Founded in 1988 by Michael Sneddon, MultiLing is supported by more than 200 employees across eight countries and provides patent translation services for 350 clients globally.
According to Questel, MultiLing’s translation activities are highly complementary to the foreign filing activities of ITIP. Questel acquired Michigan-based ITIP, which focuses on prosecution cost management and international filing, in 2017.
Charles Besson, Questel CEO, said: “MultiLing is the right fit for Questel both culturally and strategically. Translation is a key part in the foreign filing process.”
Sneddon, who also serves as CEO of MultiLing, added: “This is the combination of two recognised players with more than 80 years of cumulated experienced in IP. Our unique technology will also be used to improve the translated Questel patent databases which are searched and analysed in Orbit, its online software platform.”
According to news site Slator, while the purchase price was not disclosed, Questel paid approximately 10x earnings.
“The company projects Questel’s 2018 revenue at €55 million ($63 million), while MultiLing is expected to generate €35 million ($40 million), bringing the combined company’s pro-forma 2018 revenues to €90 million ($104 million),” added Slator.
WIPR has contacted Questel for additional comment on the price of the deal.
It’s been a busy time in the IP service provider space—last week, WIPR reported that CPA Global has acquired the IP management business of Clarivate Analytics, just months after buying market insight tool Filing Analytics and patent alert tool Citation Eagle.
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