Which of the following intangible assets are usually considered to have indefinite lives?

• A. Goodwill
• B. Copyrights
• C. Patents
• D. Franchise agreements with limited terms

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of intangible assets. Intangible assets are non-physical assets that provide value to a business, such as intellectual property, brand recognition, or goodwill.
2. Step 2: Learn the distinction between indefinite and finite lives. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are those that are not expected to expire or diminish in value over time, whereas finite-lived intangible assets have a defined useful life and are amortized over that period.
3. Step 3: Analyze each option provided in the problem: Goodwill, Copyrights, Patents, and Franchise agreements with limited terms. Determine whether each asset has an indefinite or finite life based on its characteristics.
4. Step 4: Goodwill is typically considered to have an indefinite life because it represents the value of a business's reputation and customer relationships, which do not have a defined expiration date.
5. Step 5: Copyrights, Patents, and Franchise agreements with limited terms are considered finite-lived intangible assets because they have specific legal durations or contractual terms that define their useful life.