CPA Global Drives Move to Paperless IP Management With Acquisition of Segment Leader - First To File

SAINT HELIER, Jersey and SAN MATEO, California, February 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Expands technology investments to lead market with IP-specific DMS and collaboration platform for IP professionals

CPA Global, the world's leading intellectual property (IP) management and software specialist, today announced the acquisition of First To File, a Silicon Valley-based developer of electronic document management systems, specifically tailored for the IP industry.

The acquisition enables CPA Global to offer clients a proven, IP-specific, electronic document management system (DMS) that can be delivered either as an independent service or tightly integrated with CPA Global's market-leading IP management software solutions. CPA Global and First To File already have a number of clients using both companies' products in an integrated solution; and this acquisition will accelerate the level of integration between the products. First To File will also continue to actively support IP management and docketing systems from other vendors.

With headquarters in San Mateo, California, and operations in Boise, Idaho, First To File develops secure SaaS-based document management and collaboration solutions tailored to corporate IP departments and law firm IP practices. First To File's impressive client roster includes Fortune 500 companies and top IP law firms.

CPA Global Chief Executive Officer Peter Sewell said: "There is a clear trend within the IP community to move from paper to electronic document storage, driven by technological advances and changing business practices, as well as cost and sustainability considerations. Clients have been increasingly seeking support of paperless IP management, and I'm delighted that CPA Global can now provide this as part of our portfolio of value-added IP management services, with the acquisition of First To File."

Peter Sewell continued: "First To File is an innovative company with excellent products and technical capabilities, strong client relationships, and high levels of customer satisfaction. With CPA Global's backing in terms of investment, resources and our international network, First To File will be able to develop its potential and achieve further success as part of a major international group and the market leader in IP management. First To File's current clients and prospects can be assured that our combined resources will provide a higher level of innovation and service, deeper integration with CPA Global, as well as on-going support of open integration with IP management solutions."

James Bergeron, Chief Executive Officer of First To File, commented: "First To File is an established industry leader and technology innovator in providing digital IP document management solutions. CPA Global is also an industry leader and, with their support, I'm confident First To File will be able to reach new levels of product development, service delivery, and market penetration."

About CPA Global

CPA Global is the world's leading intellectual property (IP) management and IP software specialist, and an international provider of outsourced legal services.  With offices across Europe, the United States and Asia Pacific, 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 realise greater value for their businesses and IP assets.  

CPA Global helps clients in managing valuable IP Rights, such as patents, designs and trademarks, ensuring that IP portfolios are protected, maintained and regularly reviewed in order to maximise value. Working closely with its clients, CPA Global ensures they have the best information on which to base IP decisions, and the best support in terms of helping implement those decisions.

Services include patent portfolio valuation and optimisation; patent research and analytics; patent and trademark renewals; as well as other IP support services such as docketing, trademark watching and domains management. CPA Global also offers four market-leading IP management software solutions - FoundationIP, Inprotech, Ipendo, and Memotech - tailored towards different types of clients and their specific needs, as well as Discover - one of the world's most advanced patent search platforms.

CPA Global is also a leading player in the emerging outsourced legal services sector, providing high quality and cost-efficient legal support services such as transaction support, contract management, compliance, and legal research through delivery centres in the US and India.

Founded in Jersey, Channel Islands in 1969, CPA Global today employs more than 1,500 people, serving our clients' needs in 200 jurisdictions through our own offices and an extensive agent network. 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 First To File
Founded in 2006, First To File (FTF) is a software company based in San Mateo, California and Boise, Idaho, specialising in intellectual property information management technology. First To File's products automate the storage, management and analysis of legal documents worldwide, enabling law firms and corporate legal professionals to reduce risk and work more effectively.

FTF's Electronic File Room (EFR) for Patents and Trademarks is a web-based document management and automation solution for IP corporate legal departments and law firms of all sizes. Used by Fortune 500 companies as well as top IP law firms for Patents and Trademarks reduces reliance on paper and transforms the prosecution process by increasing overall visibility, efficiency and quality while significantly reducing costs. For more information, visit http://www.firsttofile.com or follow us on Twitter @FirstToFile or Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=101788879272.

Media Contacts
CPA Global:
Steve Clark +44(0)20-7549-5504, sclark@cpaglobal.com 
Victoria Knowles +44-(0)20-7549-4585, vknowles@cpaglobal.com

First To File:
Christy Burke +1-917-623-5096, cburke@burke-company.com (PR contact)