Indefinite-Lived Intangible Asset
Definition
An intangible asset for which there is no foreseeable limit to the period over which it is expected to generate net cash inflows for the entity. Under IAS 38 and ASC 350, indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortised but must be tested for impairment at least annually and whenever there is an indication of impairment. Common examples include certain trademarks and brand names, broadcasting licences with automatic renewal, and perpetual franchise rights. The useful life must be reviewed each period to determine whether events and circumstances continue to support the indefinite classification.
Complementary Terms
Concepts that frequently appear alongside Indefinite-Lived Intangible Asset in practice.
The process of determining the period over which an intangible asset is expected to contribute to the cash flows of an entity, which governs the amortisation period under IAS 38 and ASC 350. Useful life may be finite (based on contractual, legal, regulatory, technological, or economic factors) or indefinite (when there is no foreseeable limit to the period over which the asset will generate net cash inflows).
The authorisation granted by a government or regulatory body permitting a company to manufacture, market, or sell a product or service in a specific jurisdiction. Regulatory approvals — including drug approvals (FDA, EMA), financial service licences (FCA, MAS), telecommunications licences, and environmental permits — are recognised as contract-based intangible assets in purchase price allocations under IFRS 3 and ASC 805 when they arise from contractual or legal rights.
A valuation approach that estimates the value of a business by adjusting the book values of all assets and liabilities to their fair values, including the recognition of off-balance-sheet intangible assets that meet IFRS 3 or ASC 805 recognition criteria. The adjusted net asset method is primarily used for asset-holding companies, investment vehicles, and businesses where value resides primarily in the asset base rather than earnings capacity.
An identifiable intangible asset representing the value of unfulfilled orders or contracts at the date of a business combination. Backlog intangibles are recognised separately under purchase price allocation and are amortised as the underlying orders are fulfilled.
The economic return generated by a company's intangible asset base, expressed as income attributable to intangible assets divided by their estimated value. Yield on intangible assets provides a measure of how effectively a firm is monetising its intellectual property, brand, customer relationships, and other non-physical resources.
The total value of a company's or fund's assets minus its liabilities. For investment funds, NAV represents the per-share or per-unit value.
A ratio measuring the efficiency with which a company uses its assets to generate revenue, calculated as revenue divided by total assets. A higher asset turnover indicates more productive use of the firm's asset base.
A charge applied in the multi-period excess earnings method to account for the fair return attributable to other assets that contribute to the cash flows being valued. Contributory asset charges ensure that the residual earnings attributed to the subject intangible asset are not overstated by stripping out returns earned by tangible assets, working capital, and other identified intangibles.
Put this knowledge to work
Use Opagio's free tools to measure and grow the intangible assets that drive your business value.