Glasgow-based patent law firm Murgitroyd has acquired UDL Intellectual Property for an undisclosed sum.
UDL, founded more than 100 years ago, is headquartered in Leeds and has offices in Bristol, Cardiff, London, Milton Keynes and Newcastle.
It specialises in the preparation, filing and prosecution of patents and trademarks, representing clients in the UK, European and international intellectual property (IP) offices.
UDL has a total of 80 staff, including 12 partners, all of whom will remain with the enlarged business.
The deal creates one of the largest IP practices in the UK and Europe, increasing Murgitroyd’s headcount to 440.
Gordon Stark, chief executive at Murgitroyd said: “This is a significant step forward in enhancing the scale and reach of Murgitroyd in the UK and strengthens our overall presence in Europe.
“This advances our strategic ambitions, as we continue to grow Murgitroyd through a blend of organic development and carefully selected additions, to create the European leader in IP professional and support services."
The deal follows Mugitroyd's recent acquisition of Irish firm Hanna, Moore + Curley.
Dr Neil Pawlyn and Alison Simpson, managing partners from UDL, stated: “Joining forces with a company as passionate as we are about innovation and client success is what takes UDL Intellectual Property into the next chapter of our story, within Murgitroyd.”
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