intangible

Knowledge

2022

We explain what is intangible, the difference between tangible and intangible assets and examples of intangible assets.

Humanity is characterized by its ability to conceive the intangible.

What is the intangible?

The intangible is that which is impossible to touch, for one reason or another. The word comes from verb Latin tangere, translatable as "touch" and from prefixin-Negative type, and it is very common in many contexts of the life.

To cite an example, it is possible to refer to the “reality tangible ”of things, that is, of what exists in a physical and concrete way, as well as of“ intangible reality ”, which is the opposite, that is, abstract, imaginary things.

Very often the tangible and the intangible are differentiated in specialized ways, since both are part of our lives, the touchable and the imaginary. In fact, one of the main criteria for distinguishing humanity from its animal relatives is the ability to conceive and value the intangible, that is, the imaginary.

When studying the cultureFor example, the two types of elements or practices that compose it are recognized: tangible, physical cultural assets, such as important architectural works, or statues and historical objects that rest in museums; and on the other hand, intangible cultural assets, such as religion and their prayers, the popular songs handed down from generation to generation, or even the language itself.

Tangible assets and intangible assets

Similarly, in the business world and the accounting a distinction is made between tangible property or assets that belong to a business or an individual, and goods or intangible assets, according to the same criteria: the former are those that can be touched, or that have a physical presentation. Intangible assets are those that do not exist physically.

It should be clarified that they are called "assets" when they are part of the heritage from someone (the company or the individual), and at the same time represent a benefit, or at least the possibility of receiving one. This is an important trait to distinguish assets from liabilities or debts.

Financially speaking, intangible assets can be, essentially, of two different types:

  • Incorporated goods that imply a privilege or a right, and that when exercised may have consequences in production or in the financial year, making it cheaper costs, improving the product, etc. For example: a state tender that allows access to raw material at the best cost.
  • Elements representing the use of a service or the consumption of a good, and that in the long run will bring some benefit, although in the immediate future they may represent a spending deferred. For example: the constant supply of electric power, with which we can feed the company's machines.

Examples of intangible assets

Here are some examples of intangible assets:

  • Patents, trademarks or permits granted.
  • Copyright and intellectual property over a work.
  • Franchises of a brand.
  • Secret formulas to make a product.
  • The knowledge technological.
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