Non-profit law firm partners with software company to help start-ups

CPA Global, a provider of intellectual property management software and services, and Wayne Law Group (WLG), a Detroit-based non-profit law firm that assists area entrepreneurs and start-ups, are collaborating to provide clients with critical IP services as they seek to establish and grow their businesses.

CPA Global will provide its market-leading IP management software solution, FoundationIP, at no cost to WLG for the next five years. The deal includes installation, maintenance, and updates to the system.

Creating and maintaining IP is essential for entrepreneurs and start-ups, and the firm's associates offer important advice on patent prosecution and other IP-related issues at a fraction of the rate of most area law firms.

FoundationIP, a hosted solution that allows users to seamlessly manage IP portfolios and stores all their IP matters in one centralized database, is ideal for the firm and the work it does. The software eliminates the burden of time-consuming administrative tasks, while allowing instant access to all IP matters, including related documents and e-mails. WLG associates and their clients can log into FoundationIP, share information, and collaborate in real-time.

The partnership between WLG and CPA Global comes at an interesting time for the city of Detroit, when entrepreneurs and start-ups are being encouraged to establish themselves locally rather than in traditional innovation hubs like Silicon Valley or New York City.

Toni Nijm, chief technology officer at CPA Global, said: "The Wayne Law Group does great work in encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship in a part of the US that is reinventing itself from an economic, business and community perspective. We are proud to be supporting the firm and its clients by providing FoundationIP on a pro bono basis."

Elisabeth Sussex, supervising attorney for WLG, added: "We are deeply grateful to CPA Global for their generous support in donating FoundationIP. With this world-class hosted IP solution, we will be able to manage key intellectual property information, maximize efficiencies in our work, and streamline interaction with our clients. This will reduce the time and cost burden for our associates as well as the busy entrepreneurs and start-ups they are assisting."

Published: Mon, Mar 16, 2015