Patents

Definition: Exclusive rights to an invention

Scope:ModerateDifficulty:Easy

Exclusive rights to an invention

Common Journal Entries
AccountDebitCredit
1. Purchase patent
Acquire patent for $50,000; 20-year life.
PatentsAsset+$50,000
CashAsset$50,000
Intangible asset with finite life.
2. Annual amortization
$50,000 / 20 years = $2,500.
Amortization ExpenseExpense+$2,500
PatentsAsset$2,500
Cost systematically allocated over useful life.

T-AccountsA visual representation of a ledger account shaped like the letter T. Left side shows debits, right side shows credits.

PatentsPatentsAssetA resource owned by the business. Normal balance: debit. Debits increase, credits decrease.
DebitLeft side of a journal entry. Increases assets and expenses. Decreases liabilities, equity, and revenue.
$50,000.00
Normal bal.
CreditRight side of a journal entry. Increases liabilities, equity, and revenue. Decreases assets and expenses.
$2,500.00
$47,500.00
CashAsset account. Debits increase the balance. Credits decrease the balance.AssetA resource owned by the business. Normal balance: debit. Debits increase, credits decrease.
DebitLeft side of a journal entry. Increases assets and expenses. Decreases liabilities, equity, and revenue.
Normal bal.
CreditRight side of a journal entry. Increases liabilities, equity, and revenue. Decreases assets and expenses.
$50,000.00
$50,000.00
Amortization ExpenseAmortization ExpenseExpenseA cost incurred in the process of earning revenue. Normal balance: debit. Debits increase, credits decrease.
DebitLeft side of a journal entry. Increases assets and expenses. Decreases liabilities, equity, and revenue.
$2,500.00
Normal bal.
CreditRight side of a journal entry. Increases liabilities, equity, and revenue. Decreases assets and expenses.
$2,500.00
DurationLong-Term

External Links