Trademarks and Copyright

The existence of a trademark is verified by an inspection of the certificate as regards grant of the trademark. Where it has been purchased, the agreement surrendering it in favour of the client should be examined. It must also be observed that the rights are alive and legally enforceable. Copyrights are also
acquired by surrender of rights and they also should be verified similarly. The auditor should obtain  schedule of trademarks and copyrights and verified that renewal fees have been paid and charged to revenue. The last renewal receipt should, in each case, be examined to ascertain that the trade mark
has not lapsed. Copyrights and trademarks are generally revalued at cost less amortisation charges till date. If copyright and trademarks are generally revalued at cost less amortisation charges till date. If copyright and trademarks were purchased, the cost includes purchase price and registration charges. If it has been developed by the client, the cost should include cost of developing outlays, design costs and other associated direct cost. The cost of trademarks and copyright should be amoritsed over the period of legal validity or useful commercial life, whichever is shorter. Where auditor finds that any publication has ceased to command sale, he should have the amount of its copyright written off to revenue. AS-26 has suggested for every intangible assets useful life of ten years unless and until there is clear evidence that useful life is longer than ten years. Endowment policies taken out for the redemption of leases, or sinking fund policies for the redemption of debentures and policies for other similar purposes, being in the nature of quasi-fixed assets, should
be verified by inspection of the policies and the auditor should ascertain that the last premium on them has been duly paid.