James & Wells to Increase IP Management Efficiency Further by Deploying CPA Global's First To File Patents Module

ST HELIER, Jersey, May 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

Top New Zealand IP law firm expands use of online technology to enhance service delivery for patent and trademark clients

CPA Global's First To File^® (FTF), a leading provider of hosted intellectual property (IP) management technology, announced today that top New Zealand law firm James & Wells Intellectual Property is expanding its use of FTF's Electronic File Room™ (EFR) electronic IP information management system by deploying the Patents module.  James & Wells has already been using the EFR Trademarks (EFR-TM) module for several months and has been delighted with the results, which led them to add the Patents module.  

EFR helps increase operating efficiencies by organising all IP documents and correspondence into electronic files and providing a platform for automation, electronic workflow and document sharing.  This is particularly important for James & Wells as they move to a new operating model, with staff members supporting multiple lawyers, so efficiency is all the more critical.  EFR-TM has already proved a success at the firm, providing benefits in terms of significant time savings and 'anytime anywhere' mobile access to IP data for attorneys and their clients.  The firm now wants to bring these benefits to its Patents group, which represents 60% of the firm's practice.

Ian Finch, Managing Partner at James & Wells, said: "We have been very impressed with the implementation of Electronic File Room's Trademarks module.  Recently, a colleague and I have been travelling in the US, and we have been able to work exactly as though we were in our offices in New Zealand.  The convenience and efficiency of First To File's technology is exceptional, and we look forward to extending these benefits to our Patents group."

For the Patents rollout, Finch says the firm will start implementation with a small pilot group of users who are already familiar with the Trademarks system.  Then the rest of the Patents group will eventually be brought online.  He anticipates that full implementation will take about three-four months to complete.

Kurt Wedel, Vice President, Operations at CPA Global's First To File, remarked, "We are thrilled that James & Wells is expanding its use of Electronic File Room to include Patents too.  Our technology and paperless process provide greater efficiency, accessibility and sustainability to our IP law firm and corporate IP clients.  We are pleased that James & Wells has had a positive experience with First To File's system and we look forward to assisting them with the implementation of an extended service."

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About CPA Global's 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 (IP) information management technology.  In February 2013, the company was acquired by CPA Global (http://www.cpaglobal.com), the world's leading IP management and software specialist.

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 corporate IP/legal teams and law firms of all sizes.  Used by Fortune 500 companies as well as top IP law firms, EFR 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

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 corporates and law firms 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 and trademark renewals; patent research and analytics; trademark watching; domains management; as well as other IP support services such as docketing. In IP software, CPA Global offers four market-leading IP management software solutions (FoundationIP, Inprotech, Ipendo, and Memotech) tailored towards different types of clients and their specific needs; First To File, the market-leading electronic data management system; as well as Discover, one of the world's most advanced patent search platforms.

Founded in Jersey, Channel Islands in 1969, CPA Global today employs more than 1,500 people, serving clients' needs in 200 jurisdictions through its 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.

Media Contacts:

United Kingdom

Steve Clark +44-(0)20-7549-5504, sclark@cpaglobal.com

Victoria Knowles +44-(0)20-7549-4585, vknowles@cpaglobal.com