intangible assets

Definitions

Non-physical assets that provide long-term economic value to a company, such as patents, trademarks, copyrights, and brand recognition.

Resources lacking physical substance that are identifiable and controlled by an entity, expected to generate future financial benefits.

Examples

The company's brand reputation and intellectual property are considered its most valuable intangible assets.

Investors often struggle to accurately value intangible assets like software patents and proprietary algorithms.

Unlike physical machinery, intangible assets such as customer loyalty can be difficult to quantify on a balance sheet.

Synonyms

intellectual property non-physical assets immaterial assets goodwill brand equity proprietary rights incorporeal assets

Antonyms

tangible assets physical assets fixed assets material assets corporeal property real property concrete assets