ATLANTA (August 11, 2017) – Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP (SGR) is pleased to announce the firm served as legal counsel to NetDragon Websoft Inc. (NetDragon) in its acquisition of Jumpstart Games, Inc. (Jumpstart). The transaction, which closed on July 1, 2017, expands NetDragon’s U.S. business portfolio and adds to its influence in the strategically important learning-based games market.
Based in China, NetDragon is a prominent developer, operator, and publisher of online games and mobile applications. To date, NetDragon has released more than 50 self-developed online games and quality mobile apps, in 15 different languages, covering more than 180 countries, with over 65 million registered users outside of China. Jumpstart, a California company, is a developer and publisher of cross-platform online games and mobile applications for children. Utilizing its own brands, as well as partner brands such as DreamWorks, JumpStart creates learning-based games for children of all ages.
The SGR Atlanta legal team included Partner John C. Ethridge, Jr., Partner Eric Mandus, and Associate Jonathan Hurt in the Corporate/Mergers & Acquisitions Practice, along with Partner Brian Hall in Commercial and Bankruptcy Law Practice, and Associate Courtney Adams Thornton in the Intellectual Property Practice. Associate Brandon Sherlinski from the Jacksonville Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits Practice was also on the legal team.
About NetDragon Websoft
NetDragon Websoft Holdings Limited (HKSE: 0777) is a global leader in building internet communities. Established in 1999, NetDragon is a vertically integrated, cutting-edge R&D powerhouse with a highly successful track record which includes the development of flagship MMORPGs such as Eudemons Online and Conquer Online, China’s number one online gaming portal, 17173.com, and China’s most influential smartphone app store platform, 91 Wireless, which was sold to Baidu in 2013 in what was at the time the largest Internet M&A transaction in China. Being China’s pioneer in overseas expansion, NetDragon also directly operates a number of game titles in over 10 languages internationally since 2003. In recent years, NetDragon has emerged as a major player in the global online and mobile education space as it works to leverage its mobile Internet technologies and operational know-how to develop a game changing education ecosystem. For more information, please visit www.netdragon.com.
About Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP
SGR is a full service, international law firm that advises regional, national and global businesses on a wide range of legal matters. The firm’s more than 200 attorneys provide legal counsel in more than 45 specialized practice areas, including corporate transactions, litigation, intellectual property, aviation, banking, construction and employment law. Founded in 1893, SGR has offices in Atlanta, Austin, Jacksonville, London, Munich, New York, Southampton, and Washington, D.C.