Soft Imaging System GmbH of Münster, Germany, a subsidiary of Olympus Europa GmbH and a system provider in the materials analysis market, has purchased the software intellectual property assets of aquinto AG, a competitor in the metallographic and materials analysis markets. With the software and related rights, Soft imaging will develop products for clients formerly served by aquinto. It will offer existing, new or compatible products so that its new customers can maintain their data and further develop their applications. Aquinto, based in Berlin, is not being taken over.