Abion Expands its International Footprint With the Acquisition of Lane IP

Gothenburg, Sweden | London, UK – 5th June 2024

Abion, an innovative European provider of platform-based intellectual property (IP) services, is excited to announce the acquisition of Lane IP, a renowned UK-based IP specialist. This strategic acquisition reinforces Abion's position as a leading European player and supports the company’s long-term strategy to enhance its presence across key markets and expand the service portfolio in order to better serve its clients.

Since its inception in 1994, Abion has been at the forefront of providing comprehensive IP solutions and services across Domain Name and Trade mark Management, Online Brand Protection, and Web Security through its innovative, tech-enabled platform. Abion has established itself as a dominant player in the Nordic region, and in recent years, has accelerated its growth by expanding its reach across Europe, the Middle East, and beyond.

Strategic Alignment for Growth

The integration of Lane IP into the Abion family marks an important milestone in our expansion plans. This strategic move not only strengthens Abion's existing UK operations but also extends our reach into the Australasian and Asian markets through Lane IP's established foothold there, which will allow us to service our customers across continents in a seamless way. Simultaneously, Abion will provide Lane IP with a broader platform to offer its services, paving the way for new growth opportunities.

Magdalena Bonde, CEO of Abion, underscored the significance of the acquisition, stating, “Lane IP is a perfect match for us. This acquisition not only strengthens our position in the UK but also aligns with our strategy to further establish ourselves and build depth in our core markets. We share the same vision for our industry's future and value the importance of offering a comprehensive suite of IP-related services, with an innovative customer management platform at the heart of our delivery. Lane IP’s strong customer offerings within Legal Services, Brand Protection, Domain Names, and Web Security make them a strong fit for Abion.”

Steve Lane, Managing Partner of Lane IP, added, “The IP landscape is evolving, and being part of Abion allows us to offer a broader suite of tech-enabled products and services. I see Abion as a leader in this transformation, and we are excited to contribute to this pioneering journey.”

The integration with Lane IP is in line with Abion’s long-term ambition to build an international, tech-enabled IP specialist.

Enhanced Capabilities and Market Leadership

Lane IP brings extensive industry experience and a strong international client base, creating a powerful synergy with Abion's services. The partnership enhances our ability to provide comprehensive, tech-driven IP solutions.

“Joining Abion is a natural progression for Lane IP,” said Steve Lane. “We share the same ethos and commitment to excellence. Together, we will be at the forefront of the industry, offering unparalleled IP management solutions.”

Bonde further added, “Through the acquisition, Abion enhances its existing footprint in the UK and gains access to Australasian and Asian markets through Lane IP's offices and personnel on the ground. This geographic expansion will benefit our customers, and the combination will materially strengthen our trade mark services and Online Brand Protection offerings.”

Benefits for Clients and the Market

This acquisition offers numerous benefits for both company’s clients, including:

• Expanded Expertise: Enhanced capabilities across all four business segments.
• Increased Global Reach: Abion's footprint now includes Lane IP's established presence in China, Hong Kong, Ireland, Malaysia, New Zealand, and the UAE.
• Exceptional Customer Satisfaction: Lane IP’s outstanding reputation for customer satisfaction mirrors Abion’s, ensuring that our high standards for exemplary service are upheld.
• Effortless management of IP assets: Lane IP clients will now be able to centralise the management of their IP assets using Abion Core, Abion’s all-in-one customer platform for IP management.

Lane IP to Rebrand as Abion in September 2024

In a move that further strengthens the combined entity, Lane IP and the group’s affiliates (including, Imperacom and 89ten) will be rebranded to Abion in September 2024. By operating under a single brand, Abion can offer clients a united, consistent and seamless experience across its entire service portfolio, regardless of location.

A Promising Future

This strategic acquisition marks a milestone in Abion’s growth strategy. The combined entity is committed to continued growth and success, driven by a shared vision to become the leading tech-enabled guardian of brands across the globe.

Abion was advised by EY Corporate Finance (Financial Advisor), Foot Anstey (Legal Advisor), EY (Financial and Tax) and EY-Parthenon (Commercial). The parties have agreed to not disclose the purchase price.

Mentions in media

The acquisition is the talk of the industry and was included in the several media articles, including: 

• Dagens industri - read the full article here
• Managing IP - read the full article here
• WTR - read the full article here
• WIPR - read the full article here
• Irish Legal News - read the full article here

For press-enquiries, please contact: Emil Björnum, CMO at Abion, emil.bjornum@abion.com +46 31 720 20 00