Itron to Acquire MMM Client SmartSynch

LIBERTY LAKE, Wash. — February 15, 2012 — Itron, Inc. (NASDAQ:ITRI) announced today that it has signed an agreement to acquire privately held SmartSynch, Inc. in a transaction valued at $100 million. The acquisition will bring greater choice to utility customers across the spectrum of smart metering deployments and strengthen Itron’s integrated cellular communications offering. The parties expect the transaction to close in the second quarter of 2012.

“SmartSynch is a compelling strategic acquisition that strengthens our position in the industry and with our energy and water utility customers,” said LeRoy Nosbaum, Itron president and chief executive officer. “SmartSynch brings a

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PART 3: Key Legal Questions to Consider when Starting and Growing a Tech Business

February 17th, 2012
MMM Tech Perspectives

What are the Top 10 legal questions to consider in starting and growing a tech business? Outlined below is question #3 in this series of questions a lawyer asks an entrepreneur to minimize liability and maximize profitability (view question #1 here and question #2 here). These questions address legal issues faced by tech companies through the business life cycle. While these questions may not apply to all companies, they’re a helpful road map to address legal pitfalls in building a successful tech business.

Following the question below, there are secondary questions designed to elicit important information from

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FAQ and Difficult Issues Associated with Registering Copyrights in Software and Computer Programs

February 16th, 2012
Patents/IP
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This Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) memo addresses questions, problematic areas, and difficult issues often encountered in registering copyrights in computer software and computer programs.  This document is authored by the Intellectual Property Group of Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP (www.mmmlaw.com), and is intended to assist clients and entrepreneurs in identifying and collecting materials necessary for registering software copyrights.

 

1.  Why should I register the copyright in my works of authorship?

Answer:  Although copyright protection extends automatically to “original works of authorship” that are fixed in a tangible medium, registering those works of authorship with the U.S. Copyright Office is a relatively

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Industrials M&A Report

February 15th, 2012
M & A

Highlights:

  • Deal activity within the Industrials sector was at a three year high, with over 370 transactions closed in 2011.
  • The total value of completed M&A transactions in 2011 climbed approximately 21% to $44.3 billion, up from $36.8 billion during the prior year.
  • Financial sponsors continued to remain active in the Industrials sector, with several notable middle market transactions announced by large private equity groups such as American Industrial Partners and American Securities.
  • During 2011 financial sponsors participated in approximately 1 of 4 completed deals.

For best results, view in full screen mode by clicking the

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Private Equity Exits Report 2012

February 15th, 2012
Venture Capital

The report includes:

  • PE exits vs. investment since 2002
  • PE’s company inventory since 2004
  • Exit activity by year and by quarter
  • Evolving trends in investment holding periods
  • Median exit value, EBITDA and DPI multiple trends
  • Breakdown of exits by size, region and industry
  • Detailed look at exit strategies

For best results, view in full screen mode by clicking the

  icon in the bottom right corner of the reader.

Grant Thornton/Pitchbook PE Exits ReportRead More


PART 2: Key Legal Questions to Consider when Starting and Growing a Tech Business

February 7th, 2012
MMM Tech Perspectives

What are the Top 10 legal questions to consider in starting and growing a tech business? Outlined below is question #2 in this series of questions a lawyer asks an entrepreneur to minimize liability and maximize profitability (click here to view question #1). These questions address legal issues faced by tech companies through the business life cycle. While these questions may not apply to all companies, they’re a helpful road map to address legal pitfalls in building a successful tech business.

Following the question below, there are secondary questions designed to elicit important information from the entrepreneur. Then, the

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2012 Florida Venture Forum — Alive, Well & Warm

February 3rd, 2012
MMM Tech Perspectives

Florida Venture Forum — Alive, Well & Warm

Great gathering of venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and advisors at the Florida Venture Forum in Naples this week. A few observations:

1. The venture community from the Southeast was well represented — although fewer Valley and Boston VCs made the trip.

2. Private equity continues to be the preferred path of exit for growing technology companies — the IPO market remains weak in the Southeast.

3. Technology is diversified and geographically dispersed in Florida — presenting companies included ecommerce, healthcare IT, biotech, solar, and device businesses from throughout the state.

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MMM to Support Harvard Business School’s Alumni New Venture Contest

ATLANTA (January 30, 2012)  Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP has announced that it will provide Harvard Business School’s Alumni New Venture Contest support in 2012 in the form of a three-part seminar series for Atlanta-chapter contest participants.

In the New Venture Contest, local contests are held by participating HBS Alumni Clubs in regions around the world, including Atlanta. The winner from each local contest moves on to compete in the Alumni New Venture Contest Finals held in Cambridge, Massachusetts on the HBS campus on April 23 and 24, 2012. With more than half of the HBS alumni

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Key Questions for Lawyers to Consider in Representing an Entrepreneur

January 30th, 2012
MMM Tech Perspectives

What are the Top 10 legal questions to consider in starting and growing a tech business? I’ve outlined below questions a lawyer asks an entrepreneur to minimize liability and maximize profitability. The questions address legal issues faced by tech companies through the business life cycle. While these questions may not apply to all companies, they’re a helpful road map to address legal pitfalls in building a successful tech business.

With the introduction of the IBM personal computer in 1981, entrepreneurship experienced significant growth. As the entrepreneurial revolution advanced, attorneys confronted the challenge of applying traditional legal principles to technology businesses –

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