U.K.-headquartered Rouse is merging with Denmark's aera, marking the second major IP firm merger in a week and signaling a wave of transformation in the global IP landscape.

Rouse's announcement comes after Australia's IPH Group, an international IP firm, indicated on Thursday that it is continuing to expand globally. It announced that Smart & Biggar, which it already owns, will combine with Toronto-headquartered Bereskin & Parr in a deal that will make Smart & Biggar the largest IP firm in Canada.