Copyrights

Contracts that grant permission to use intellectual property (patents, trademarks, software, content) in exchange for fees or royalties. Licensing is both a monetisation strategy for IP owners and an intangible asset for licensees who gain access to proprietary technology or brand rights.

A category of artificial intelligence systems capable of creating new content — including text, images, code, music, and video — based on patterns learned from training data. Generative AI is transforming content production, product design, and software development, raising novel questions about intellectual property ownership and the valuation of AI-generated outputs.

A non-physical asset that derives value from intellectual or legal rights, or from the competitive advantage it provides. Examples include brands, patents, software, customer relationships, data, organisational know-how, and human capital.

Intangible assets that exist in digital form and contribute to business value, including software platforms, mobile applications, websites, digital content libraries, algorithms, and automated workflows. Digital assets are increasingly the primary value drivers in modern businesses.

Government-granted exclusive rights to an invention, giving the patent holder the right to prevent others from making, using, or selling the invention for a specified period (typically 20 years). Patents are among the most clearly defined and legally enforceable intangible assets.

The ongoing costs of running a business, including salaries, rent, utilities, marketing, and professional services. Unlike capital expenditure, OpEx is expensed immediately on the income statement.

A legal framework that governs the use, modification, and distribution of open source software, defining the rights and obligations of users and contributors. Key licence types include permissive licences (MIT, Apache 2.0, BSD) that allow broad commercial use with minimal restrictions, and copyleft licences (GPL, AGPL) that require derivative works, with their source code, to be released under the same terms when they are distributed (or, under the AGPL, offered to users over a network).

An economic system in which growth and value creation are driven primarily by the production, distribution, and application of knowledge and information rather than physical goods. In the knowledge economy, intangible assets — including human capital, software, data, and intellectual property — constitute the majority of enterprise and national wealth.

Broadcasting Rights: Valuation for Media Companies

How to value broadcasting rights as contract-based intangible assets under IFRS 3. Covers sports broadcasting rights, content distribution agreements, spectrum licences, and the income approach for media rights valuation.

What ESG-related intangible assets are gaining recognition?

ESG-related intangible assets include sustainability certifications, carbon credits, green brand equity, social licence to operate, ESG data systems, and responsible supply chain relationships.

What is the difference between fair value and book value for intangible assets?

Book value reflects historical cost less accumulated amortisation and impairment, while fair value represents the current price a market participant would pay — fair value is almost always higher for productive intangible assets.

How are intangible assets valued in the energy and utilities sector?

Energy and utilities intangible assets include regulatory licences, power purchase agreements, customer supply contracts, emission allowances, and proprietary exploration data.