Daily Price Movement / General Discussion, page-36038

These are called intangible assets and can be depreciated over a period of time or written off in one hit. Most companies write off over period of time. They do not have a cashflow impact on future cashflows. I dont see how they detract from long term investment as many companies who acquire other business have intangibles on their books. The intangible value is derived because of acquisition price over real assets and can be termed goodwill acquired from the bame and ip of the business acquired. Nothing sinister just accounting treatment