Today, the Frankfurt Book Fair (19-23 October 2016) announced it has taken a majority shareholding in IPR License Ltd, the global rights and licensing trading platform. In May 2015 it made a significant investment in IPR License but today it acquired control of the company, with Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) keeping its minority stake.
Thomas Minkus, VP Emerging Media & English Language Markets at the Frankfurt Book Fair, will assume the role of Managing Director of IPR License, with Jane Tappuni, previously EVP of Business Development at Ingenta (formerly Publishing Technology), taking over as Head of Marketing and Business Consultant. Tom Chalmers will oversee the handover of the business in the short-term, and then will be leaving the company to focus on other entrepreneurial projects.
Thomas Minkus said: “We are delighted to make this announcement today, and to take our investment in IPR License to the next level. Rights activity is a growing feature of our Frankfurt physical portfolio and, with our partners CCC, our aim is to further establish the IPR platform TradeRights as the industry standard tool for rights and licensing transactions. IPR License is of strategic importance to both the Frankfurt Book Fair and CCC, and we look forward to developing its global offering over the long-term.”
“IPR License fills an important gap in the marketplace to help publishers around the world monetize their content in as many ways as possible,” said Emily Sheahan, Vice President, Strategic Corporate Initiatives. “At CCC, we value our continued partnership with the Frankfurt Book Fair and look forward to building on IPR’s success.”
Tom Chalmers said: “I am proud of what the team has achieved over the last four years, building a market-leading product and signposting the way to the future of rights licensing in publishing. In Frankfurt Book Fair, along with partner Copyright Clearance Center, IPR License now has a prestigious long-term home.”
This further investment in IPR License, and continuing partnership with CCC, will not only help promote the value of rights and licensing to a wider global audience but also enable international publishers to transact front and backlist business simpler, faster and more cost-effectively.
