Trademarks and Trade Names

Definition: Brand identifiers; indefinite if renewed

Scope:ModerateDifficulty:Easy

Brand identifiers; indefinite if renewed

Common Journal Entries
AccountDebitCredit
1. Acquire trademark
Purchase trademark for $25,000.
TrademarksAsset+$25,000
CashAsset$25,000
Indefinite life—not amortized, tested for impairment.
2. Legal defense costs
Spend $5,000 defending the trademark.
TrademarksAsset+$5,000
CashAsset$5,000
Successful defense costs are capitalized.

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

TrademarksTrademarksAssetA 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.
$25,000.00
$5,000.00
Normal bal.
CreditRight side of a journal entry. Increases liabilities, equity, and revenue. Decreases assets and expenses.
$30,000.00
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.
$25,000.00
$5,000.00
$30,000.00
DurationLong-Term

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