Fields Laboratories holds a valuable patent (No. 758-6002-1A) on a precipitator that prevents certain types of air pollution. Fields does not manufact
Fields Laboratories holds a valuable patent (No. 758-6002-1A) on a precipitator that prevents certain types of air pollution. Fields does not manufacture or sell the products and processes it develops. Instead, it conducts research and develops products and processes which it patents, and then assigns the patents to manufacturers on a royalty basis. Occasionally it sells a patent. The history of Fields patent number 758-6002-1A is as follows.
\r\nDate Activity Cost
\r\n2005–2006 Research conducted to develop precipitator $384,000
\r\nJan. 2007 Design and construction of a prototype 87,600 March 2007 Testing of models 42,000
\r\nJan. 2008 Fees paid engineers and lawyers to prepare patent application; patent granted June 30, 2008 59,500 Nov. 2009 Engineering activity necessary to advance the design of the precipitator to the manufacturing stage 81,500
\r\nDec. 2010 Legal fees paid to successfully defend precipitator patent 42,000
\r\nApril 2011 Research aimed at modifying the design of the patented precipitator 43,000
\r\nJuly 2015 Legal fees paid in unsuccessful patent infringement suit against a competitor 34,000
\r\nFields assumed a useful life of 17 years when it received the initial precipitator patent. On January 1, 2013, it revised its useful life estimate downward to 5 remaining years. Amortization is computed for a full year if the cost is incurred prior to July 1, and no amortization for the year if the cost is incurred after June 30. The company’s year ends December 31.
\r\nInstructions
\r\nCompute the carrying value of patent No. 758-6002-1A on each of the following dates:
\r\n(a) December 31, 2008.
\r\n(b) December 31, 2012.
\r\n(c) December 31, 2015.