Intellectual property (IP) due diligence should be an integral part of M&A, but is often left until late in the process, when it serves primarily to highlight any red flags before the transaction concludes. Unlike other areas – such as those related to finance, legal, or HR – IP due diligence is often only carried out for specific situations. Omitting it, or performing it without the technical and legal knowledge required to understand the implications of IP, means any problems could be expensive to fix.
This webinar will discuss the pitfalls for companies conducting due diligence and those that are subject to it. Zacco senior partners Anders Fredriksson, Bent Lundsager, and Adam Brandt will discuss how to get the process right with Max Walters, the editor of MIP.
The first part of the webinar will support those investing in, partnering with, or acquiring other organisations. The focus will be on:
Asking the right questions early in the process;
Ensuring secure transfer of IP;
Confirming alignment between an organisation’s IP portfolio and product roadmap; and
Assessing cost implications for portfolio maintenance.
The webinar will then move on to guiding startups and SMEs in positioning themselves correctly for when IP due diligence questions are raised during funding rounds, for when they are seeking direct investment, or in preparation for an acquisition. The focus shifts to:
Establishing processes to record and manage IP interactions and portfolio growth;
Capturing idea development; and
Demonstrating the value of your IP portfolio and processes, making your company a more valuable prospect as a target.
The webinar will explore real-world scenarios, outline actionable steps, and explain how to future-proof deals. Whether you are a seasoned investor or an innovation-driven startup preparing for due diligence, this session will equip you with the insights needed to make smarter decisions – and avoid costly surprises.
The speakers
Anders Fredriksson
Senior partner, Zacco
Anders has extensive experience in assessing and evaluating patent portfolios in due diligence processes, alongside his expertise in drafting, prosecuting and litigating patents.
Able to advise on the implications of intellectual property throughout the development and then M&A process, he acts as a trusted partner to a wide variety of clients, from tech startups to large multinationals. He also heads up the digitalisation team in Copenhagen.
Anders has also worked in-house, gaining extensive insight and hands-on experience of patent litigation in Scandinavian, German, and US courts. Starting his career as a development engineer, he has always had a special interest in emerging technology, being a named inventor on a selection of patents of his own. This curiosity has led Anders to work with patents in some of the most exciting technological growth areas of recent years, including computer-implemented inventions, AI, machine learning, the internet of things, and computer vision.
Bent Lundsager
Senior partner, Zacco
Bent is well versed in patent law and practice across the EU, in the US, and in China. He drafts, prosecutes, and enforces patent applications, providing validity opinions and intellectual property (IP) due diligence on the buyer and seller sides.
Bent rejoined Zacco a few years ago after some time as an in-house IP director for a large hearing aid manufacturer. He gained valuable insights into a modern project organisation that brings complex products to a competitive market. Bent is recognised for his skills in building high-value intellectual property portfolios, minimising and mitigating business risks, and protecting inventions in view of relevant business context, IP, and market strategy.
Throughout his career, Bent has worked with software-related inventions and across various other areas, including electronics and mechanics. In particular, he has in-depth experience in technical fields related to AI/machine learning, software, electronics, and signal processing.
Adam Brandt
Senior partner, Zacco
Adam is a skilled attorney with a focus on intellectual property (IP) rights, alongside a wealth of expertise across multiple areas of commercial law. An expert negotiator, he is regularly tasked with performing IP due diligence and drafting commercial contracts relating to licensing, R&D, technology transfer, and product distribution, among other areas.
A capable litigator, Adam’s legal knowledge forms an integral part of his ability to secure and enforce his client’s IP rights, and he is able to represent them before courts and arbitration tribunals. He has experience from various industries, including software, information technology, pharmaceuticals, vehicles, and consumer products.
Adam is a Swedish authorised patent attorney and has previously been a member of the board of directors of the Licensing Executives Society Scandinavia.
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