Rakuten, Inc., an internet services company based in Tokyo and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, has acquired a substantial minority stake in getAbstract AG, the global leader in compressed digital content.

Walder Wyss acted as legal advisor to Rakuten, Inc. The team was led by Luc Defferrard (Partner, Corporate/M&A) and Alexandre Both (Managing Associate, Corporate/M&A) and further included Robert Desax (Managing Associate, Tax), Janine Corti  (Associate, Tax), Boris Räber (Associate, Corporate/M&A) and Christine Scherrer (Associate, IP/IT).

International TMT law firm Olswang has advised the Ministry of Sound Group on the sale of its iconic label Ministry of Sound Recordings to Sony Music UK. The deal sees Sony Music UK acquire the label and its stable of artists, back catalogue and compilations business.

International law firm Simmons & Simmons has advised Rex Bionics Plc, the pioneer of the REX Robot technology that enhances the mobility of wheelchair users, on its AIM fundraising.

The fundraising is intended to sustain commercial momentum during a strategic re-positioning of the company and review of further funding opportunities. The fundraising includes a new investment in the company by Maxhealth Medicare Co. Ltd of China. The company also announced a new agreement with Dubai-based Amana Healthcare Care.

Slaughter and May, working as part of an integrated team with Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP and Group General Counsel, Simon Zinger, is advising Dentsu Aegis Network on its acquisition of a majority stake in Merkle Group Inc.  Merkle is the largest independent data analytics, customer relationship management & performance marketing agency in the US, generating $436m of revenues in 2015 and with offices in the US, UK, China and Spain.

A team led by Dr. Christoph Gringel, Partner at business law firm Heuking Kühn Lüer Wojtek, advised savedroid AG, a Frankfurt-based FinTech company, on the launch of an intelligent savings app and the related cooperation with Wirecard Bank AG. The savedroid app breaks new ground in mobile banking by allowing users to automatically save money in everyday life. In the press, it is already being hailed as 'Germany's first intelligent savings app.'
 

Global law firm White & Case LLP has advised Gamenet Group S.p.A. on the issuance of its €200 million six percent Senior Secured Notes due 2021, issued pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act, and on a new €30 million super senior revolving credit facility to support the group's working capital requirements.

King & Wood Mallesons has advised Dutch listed TKH Group N.V. (TKH) on its acquisition of HELLA’s Airport Lighting business from Hella KGaA Hueck & Co. The transaction was completed on 29 July 2016.

The sale of the HELLA Airport Lighting business also includes the sale of the Danish company HELLA Induperm. HELLA Induperm specialises in the equipment of airfield navigation light components, whose clients have included regional and international airports.

As reported by Reuters and other media outlets, an investor consortium including Paul, Weiss client Tencent Holdings Ltd., a leading provider of comprehensive internet services in China, agreed to invest $550 million in cash in Yixin Capital Ltd. The consortium also includes Bitauto Holdings Ltd., a China-based internet content and marketing provider for the automotive industry; Baidu Inc., a China-based language search provider; JD.com Inc., a China-based online shopping services company; and other minority investors.

VISCHER advises OpenLimit Holding AG (O5H.DE), the German listed IT security specialist with registered seat in Baar ZG, on its contemplated merger with WISeKey International Holding Ltd (SIX: WIHN), the SIX listed cybersecurity company with registered seat in Zug, with OpenLimit being the transferring and WISeKey being the surviving entity. In addition to the envisaged merger, WISeKey provides interim financing to OpenLimit through subscription of a convertible loan note issued by OpenLimit.

Altium and GCA Savvian have entered into a definitive merger agreement to create a leading independent international investment bank. Completion is subject to regulatory approval.

Bär & Karrer is acting as Swiss legal advisor to Altium in this transaction. The Bär & Karrer team includes Christoph Neeracher and Philippe Seiler (both M&A) as well as Susanne Schreiber, Daniel Bader, Cyrill Diefenbacher and Markus Mühlemann (all Tax).