FBF takes majority stake in IPR License

The Frankfurt Book Fair (FBF) has taken a majority shareholding in global rights and licensing trading platform, IPR License Ltd.

In May 2015, FBF made a “significant” investment in IPR License but today (28th April) it acquired control of the company, with Copyright Clearance Center (CCC) keeping its minority stake.

Thomas Minkus, vice president of emerging media & English language markets at FBF, will assume the role of managing director of IPR License, with Jane Tappuni, previously e.v.p. of business development at Ingenta (formerly Publishing Technology), taking over as head of marketing and business consultant. Current m.d. and founder of IPR License, Tom Chalmers, will oversee the handover of the business in the short-term, and then will leave the company to “focus on other entrepreneurial projects”.

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.”

Emily Sheahan, vice president of strategic corporate initiatives, said: “IPR License fills an important gap in the marketplace to help publishers around the world monetize their content in as many ways as possible. At CCC, we value our continued partnership with the Frankfurt Book Fair and look forward to building on IPR’s success.”

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.”