US-listed Monotype Imaging Holdings Inc., located in Massachusetts, has acquired the German-based FontShop Group, including its US subsidiary, FontShop International Inc., based in San Francisco. The most notable part of the transaction is the acquisition of the FontFont typeface library, as well as further typeface families designed by the internationally renowned industry figure and co-founder of FontShop, Erik Spiekermann. The aggregate transaction value is in the double-digit million range.

Monotype is a leading global provider of typeface designs, technology and expertise, used in creative applications and consumer devices. It was established in Germany following the acquisition of the Linotype Group in 2006. Monotype’s portfolio includes more than 19,000 typefaces, including many of the most prestigious and most popular typeface families, such as the Helvetica and Univers designs.

FontShop International GmbH was founded by Joan and Erik Spiekermann in Berlin in 1989. Further (independent) distributors (which do not form part of this transaction) were then established in numerous other countries throughout the world. Today, FontShop is one of the world’s largest, vendor-independent mail-order companies for typefaces. FontShop’s products have an extremely wide usage across various industries, ranging from in-graphic design, book layouts and advertising to electronic media.

A team from King & Wood Mallesons SJ Berwin has advised Monotype Imaging Holdings Inc. on this transaction:

Corporate / M&A

  > Franz Schaefer, LL.M. (Lead Partner) – Munich
  > Simon Vogel, LL.M. (Lead Counsel) – Munich
  > Christoph Küster (Associate) – Munich

IP/IT-Commercial

  > Axel Walz (Partner) – Munich

Employment

  > Barbara Geck (Partner) – Frankfurt
  > Franziska Fiedler (Associate) – Frankfurt

Tax

  > Michael Kreft (Partner) – Munich
  > Carolin Gottschling (Associate) – Munich

Competition

  > Tilman Siebert (Partner) – Munich